Empire State Development

📢 Tuesday, 6/2: Tune into the Convention Center Development Corporation Bond Financing Committee Meeting via webcast at 2:00 pm – review the agenda & related materials: https://bit.ly/4ealaYu

New York’s tourism economy continues making waves in Buffalo. 🌊🚢 The arrival of American Cruise Lines’ American Patriot marks the first cruise ship to dock in Buffalo in decades, bringing new visitors to local attractions, cultural institutions, and local businesses across the region.

Experiences spanning Buffalo’s waterfront, architecture, arts, and nearby Niagara Falls will showcase why New York remains a premier global travel destination.

Buffalo’s tourism economy is making waves. 🌊🚢 The arrival of American Cruise Lines’ American Patriot marks the first cruise ship visit to Buffalo in decades, bringing visitors to local attractions, cultural destinations, and nearby Niagara Falls.

Learn more: https://on.ny.gov/4faNH19

The NYS–Puerto Rico Life Science Exchange, launched in 2023, is bringing another cohort of Puerto Rican founders to New York City for three days of ecosystem building, pitch development, and immersive lab and industry tours. 🧬🌎

To kick off the program, Empire State Development is joining WEEK by a16z to spotlight how entrepreneurs are leveraging New York State resources to scale innovation from R&D to global growth.

🗽 The Founder’s Guide to NYS Resources: From R&D to Global Expansion
📅 June 1 | 10 AM–12 PM
🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/4tDvCwW

RSVP to The Founder's Guide to NYS Resources: From R&D to Global Expansion - #NYTechWeek | Partiful Hosted by Empire State Development in partnership with SOSV NY, and the Puerto Rico Science Technology and Research Trust, this panel will provide founders with the information they need to leverage state resources to fund and scale their ventures. The session will offer a robust overview of New Yor...

Disney and 20th Century Studios’ The Devil Wears Prada 2 generated more than $67.9 million in economic activity across New York State while supporting more than 1,400 local cast and crew members and 550 local vendors. 🎬🗽

From wardrobe and set design to post-production and location services, New York’s film and television industry continues driving jobs, supporting small businesses, and strengthening the state’s creative economy.

Learn more:

Empire State Development Celebrates Disney And 20th Century Studios’ The Devil Wears Prada 2 Bringing Fashion, Film And More Than $67.9 Million In Economic Activity To New York | Empire State Development Empire State Development Celebrates Disney And 20th Century Studios’ The Devil Wears Prada 2 Bringing Fashion, Film And More Than $67.9 Million In Economic Activity To New York May 28, 2026 Production Supported More Than 1,400 New York Cast and Crew Members, 550 Local Vendors and $45.8 Million in ...

Building a resilient economy starts with bringing the right partners to the table. Today, ESD’s Small Business Tour kicked off in the Southern Tier, where advanced manufacturers, agribusinesses, workforce leaders, and entrepreneurs joined ESD teams for a collaborative conversation on strengthening New York’s economy. 🚀

Discussions focused on workforce development, innovation support, capital access, and the resources helping businesses grow and compete statewide.

Thank you to Omar Sanders (STREDC), Ray Salaberrios (Capital Access), Ben Verschueren (NYSTAR), Michelle Clarke (OSWD), Dave Whipple (SBD), and Carol Miller (AM&T) for engaging directly with Southern Tier businesses and helping advance regional economic growth across New York.

Learn more: https://on.ny.gov/4eHSPJU

From Main Streets to emerging tech startups, New York’s small businesses continue driving innovation, jobs, and regional growth statewide. 🚀

This National Small Business Month, Governor Hochul highlighted more than $1 billion deployed to small businesses since 2023 through ESD programs supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of growth.

From low-interest financing and technical assistance to innovation grants, MWBE opportunities, and startup investment programs, New York is continuing to strengthen the resources businesses need to grow and compete in today’s economy.

Learn more:

Governor Hochul Celebrates National Small Business Month, Highlights More Than $1 Billion in Capital Deployed to Support New York's Entrepreneurs Governor Hochul celebrated National Small Business Month, which occurs each May, by highlighting New York State's ongoing commitment to supporting its small business community.

Albany’s cultural economy is entering a new era of discovery. 🦖🏛️ The opening of the new Kids Zone at the New York State Museum marks another milestone in Governor Hochul’s broader $400M investment to revitalize Downtown Albany and reimagine one of New York’s premier cultural institutions.

Debuting with the immersive “Expedition Dinosaur: Rise of the Mammals” exhibit, the new interactive space expands hands-on learning opportunities while helping attract families and visitors to the Capital Region for generations to come.

As part of the next phase, ESD has issued an RFP to help guide the Museum’s long-term renovation, operations, exhibitions, and visitor experience strategy. Apply here: https://on.ny.gov/4tYq3se

Learn more: https://on.ny.gov/4tXlZZu

📢 Thursday, 5/27: Tune into the Atlantic Yards Community Development Corporation Directors Meeting via webcast at 1:00pm – and review the agenda & related materials: https://on.ny.gov/4tYq3se

This Memorial Day, we honor the brave service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. New York remains committed to supporting the communities, workers, families, and freedoms their service helped protect. Wishing New Yorkers a meaningful Memorial Day.

Ahead of Memorial Day, the completion of Lake George’s “Repose of the Fallen” reinterment ensures Revolutionary War patriots finally receive the honor they deserve. 🇺🇸

Supported through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the project reinterred 44 sets of remains uncovered in 2019 and transformed the site at Lake George Battlefield State Park into a permanent public memorial.

As New York prepares to commemorate America 250, this monument preserves New York’s history while strengthening heritage tourism and community identity for future generations.

Learn more: https://on.ny.gov/43o0VjP