Governor Hochul announces more than 51 million dollars in FAST NY grants that will support five major development projects across Upstate New York communities

New York – New York State’s ongoing push to prepare for the next generation of manufacturing and industrial growth took a major step forward this week as Governor Kathy Hochul revealed that more than $51 million will be distributed across five major projects through the Focused Attraction of Shovel-Ready Tracts New York (FAST NY) grant program. The announcement underscores the state’s long-term strategy to attract large-scale employers, expand its footprint in high-tech sectors, and strengthen Upstate communities with new jobs and opportunities.

The FAST NY program, launched in February 2022, has already become one of the state’s most important economic development tools. Its purpose is straightforward but powerful: invest in the infrastructure and site improvements needed to make properties across New York “shovel-ready” for major companies. These upgrades—covering everything from road construction to sewer capacity, from energy networks to broadband connections—help ensure that when global corporations are deciding where to expand, New York has sites ready to go.

Governor Hochul has made FAST NY a centerpiece of her economic vision. Since its inception, the program has awarded over $283 million to 34 sites, positioning Upstate New York in particular as fertile ground for new industries. Recognizing its momentum, Hochul secured an additional $100 million for FAST NY in the FY26 state budget to sustain and expand the program’s impact.

“Through FAST NY, we’re able to promote manufacturing and bring in good-paying jobs to communities throughout New York State,” Governor Hochul said. “Companies like Micron, Edwards Vacuum, Chobani and fairlife want to come to New York because we have the hardest working individuals, and having shovel-ready sites makes New York State an international competitor for world-class companies to expand their operations here.”

A closer look at the Round 6 awardees

The latest round of FAST NY funding focuses on five sites spread across Upstate, from the Mohawk Valley to the Hudson River. Each site represents both a local opportunity and a piece of the statewide puzzle.

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Oneida County – $32.36 million
The largest award in this round, more than $32 million, is going to Oneida County for infrastructure improvements at the Triangle Site at Griffiss International Airport in Rome. Located on the Griffiss Business & Technology Park Steven J. DiMeo Campus, the Triangle Site is a cornerstone of the region’s economic growth strategy. The grant will fund significant upgrades including roadway reconstruction, water and sewer expansion, gas capacity improvements, and general site preparation.

One of the most critical elements is the extension of utility connections around the site’s perimeter, which will build on an earlier FAST NY award. The investment also enhances redundancy at the Triangle Site and opens the door for future development of an adjacent 160-acre parcel known as Mohawk Glen. Together, these sites offer more than 300 acres of shovel-ready land—capacity that Oneida County leaders say was essential in securing Chobani’s billion-dollar expansion.

Webster Community Coalition for Economic Development, Inc. – $9.8 million
In Monroe County, the Town of Webster will benefit from nearly $10 million in improvements to the Northeast Area for Technology, or NEAT site. The project involves road dedication and reconstruction, multimodal transit connections, sewer upgrades, and comprehensive electrical planning.

The NEAT site occupies a portion of the former Xerox campus, long a symbol of industrial decline but now poised for rebirth. With almost 300 acres of developable property and more than one million square feet of existing industrial space, officials envision a transformation that attracts advanced manufacturing companies and new industries. The grant will maximize the site’s potential and help reposition it as a regional hub for technology and manufacturing jobs.

Oswego County Industrial Development Agency – $8.1 million
Oswego County’s L. Michael Treadwell Industrial Park in Schroeppel is receiving more than $8 million to expand its capacity. Planned work includes roadway upgrades, improved water and sewer infrastructure, added power and gas service, and telecommunications extensions. The county will also build a new electrical substation to handle the expected growth.

In total, the investment will open up 25 acres immediately while preparing an additional 135 acres for development. The park is located just eight miles from the Micron facility, positioning it perfectly to attract companies in the semiconductor supply chain. Officials say the improvements will make the park one of the most competitive industrial sites in Central New York.

Broome County Industrial Development Agency – $500,000

In the Southern Tier, Broome County is receiving a half-million-dollar pre-development award to continue progress at the Broome Technology Park in the Town of Union. This new funding expands on an earlier $500,000 FAST NY grant, widening the scope to include transportation access, easements, water and wastewater design, and an NYISO energy study.

The ultimate goal is to build a 600-acre corporate park with a focus on sustainability, targeting industries such as power electronics, energy storage, life sciences, semiconductor suppliers, and agricultural processing. County leaders envision the park as a showcase for clean energy and environmentally conscious industrial development.

Greene County – $400,000

Rounding out the awards is Greene County, where $400,000 will help advance the Hudson River Commerce Park in Catskill. The project will fund engineering studies, a final generic environmental impact statement, and other early-stage work to accelerate the site’s readiness for development.

What makes the Hudson River Commerce Park unique is its location. With direct access to the New York State Thruway, proximity to a deep-water port on the Hudson River, a private rail siding, and ample developable land, the site offers multimodal connections rare in Upstate industrial development. The grant is expected to remove potential roadblocks and speed the site’s ability to host advanced manufacturing operations.

Leaders respond to the announcement
The governor’s announcement drew immediate praise from local officials, business leaders, and economic development advocates.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “With Governor Hochul’s support, New York State continues to build for the future by partnering with local agencies to create and grow the number of shovel-ready sites throughout Upstate New York. By investing in the infrastructure that supports high-tech industries, we are building an ecosystem that promotes sustainable economic growth and helps to create good paying jobs for New Yorkers.”

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. pointed to the Chobani expansion as a direct example of FAST NY’s value. “Being able to look to FAST NY enabled Oneida County to confidently offer Chobani a shovel ready site, which we know was a critical consideration in selecting Rome for its $1 billion expansion, and now the Triangle site can be fully developed in the future. The Chobani project alone represents one of the largest private investments in our county’s history and will have a profound impact on our workforce and economy for generations to come.”

MVREDC Co-Chair Larry Gilroy reinforced the message: “The region and the state worked hard to earn Chobani’s confidence, yet action speaks louder than words: already the approval process is quickly advancing, and NYS has again shown its commitment with Governor Hochul’s announcement of FAST NY funding of $32.6 million for infrastructure that will make this Billion Dollar project a reality.”

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MV EDGE President Shawna Papale tied the funding to broader regional growth. “Governor Hochul’s commitment to economic development has driven significant growth in the Mohawk Valley. Her leadership was pivotal in securing Chobani’s $1.2 billion facility in Rome, which began construction in April. Strategic investments, including $51 million in FAST NY grants, have supported critical infrastructure and job creation. These efforts are positioning the region as a leading hub for advanced manufacturing and agribusiness.”

Others noted the broader policy implications. Ryan M. Silva, Executive Director of the New York State Economic Development Council, said: “The NYSEDC is proud to have worked alongside our partners in state government on the creation and implementation of the FAST NY Program. I commend Governor Hochul for approving these investments into essential projects across the state. It is critical to strengthen New York’s infrastructure to bolster business, attract new investment, and to protect the environment, and these investments announced today will do just that.”

Chobani’s Chief Impact Officer Nishant Roy connected the funding to the company’s future. “Chobani is New York made and with this investment in Rome, we’re building an ecosystem of farmers, partners, and communities that will drive the natural food movement forward in the United States. This was an easy investment to make because of the leadership of Governor Hochul, Oneida County, and the local community, and because of the region’s rich history of innovation and resilience.”

State Senator Sean Ryan called the program a “smart investment” for long-term stability. “FAST NY is the kind of smart investment that strengthens our economy for the long term. By preparing shovel-ready sites across Upstate New York, we’re attracting high-tech manufacturers and other growing industries that will create stable, family-sustaining jobs.”

A strategic investment for New York’s future

FAST NY’s importance lies not only in the projects it funds, but in the broader ripple effects it generates. By covering the high upfront costs of site preparation—expenses that often discourage private investors—the program levels the playing field and allows smaller communities to compete for major economic development projects.

Eligible industries extend far beyond traditional manufacturing. From semiconductors to clean energy, from life sciences to agribusiness, the program is designed to capture growth in emerging sectors. Sites can also be developed for distribution and logistics, taking advantage of New York’s location as a transportation crossroads.

The projects funded in this round exemplify the diversity of opportunity: a dairy giant’s expansion in Rome, the revitalization of a Xerox campus in Webster, semiconductor supply chain development in Oswego, a sustainability-focused corporate park in Broome, and a multimodal industrial hub in Greene County. Together, they paint a picture of Upstate New York as a region reinventing itself for the 21st century economy.

Governor Hochul has been clear that this is only the beginning. With the new $100 million allocation in the FY26 budget, FAST NY will continue to expand, positioning more communities to benefit from the influx of high-tech jobs and investments. The program has already demonstrated its value in landing projects worth billions of dollars. Officials believe its long-term impact will be measured in thousands of jobs and decades of growth.

For now, the announcement of more than $51 million in new grants is being hailed as another milestone in New York’s transformation. The vision is ambitious: a state where Upstate communities can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the most competitive industrial regions in the world. And thanks to FAST NY, that vision is moving closer to reality.