Governor Hochul Announces More Than $62 Million in POWER UP Awards to Grow New York’s Power-Ready, Shovel-Ready Sites

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced more than $62 million in awards through New York State's Promote Opportunity with Electric Readiness for Underdeveloped Properties (POWER UP) program. The awards will fund critical electrical infrastructure upgrades at strategic industrial sites in the Finger Lakes and Western New York, helping to position the state for advanced manufacturing investments and the good-paying jobs they create. POWER UP is a $300 million initiative designed to create power-ready, shovel-ready industrial sites capable of attracting high-growth industries and next-generation manufacturers. Through two rounds, more than $101 million has been awarded to support six projects across Upstate New York.

"As New York continues to attract more and more high-growth industries we are making sure they have the power they need to grow," Governor Hochul said. "My POWER UP program is turning promising industrial sites into places where companies can get to work faster, creating good-paying jobs and strengthening our economy."

POWER UP was first introduced in Governor Hochul's 2025 State of the State and funded in the FY26 Enacted Budget as part of New York's strategy to strengthen its economy by proactively preparing sites for the increasing energy demands of modern industry. Launched in late 2025, Empire State Development administers POWER UP in consultation with the Department of Public Service, ensuring projects are strategically aligned with utility planning, regulatory requirements, and long-term regional economic development.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "As businesses grow and technologies evolve, more on-site capacity is critical to support these operations. Governor Hochul, through the POWER UP initiative, is investing in our infrastructure today to ensure that advanced manufacturing companies can create opportunities and good-paying jobs, further bolstering New York's innovation economy."

New York State Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said, "Economic development and grid reliability can go hand-in-hand when planning is strategic and proactive. This interagency effort supports the growth of the state's economy while strengthening the electric grid New Yorkers depend upon. This announcement is yet another example of Governor Hochul's dedication to innovation while helping to shield consumers from costs associated with necessary investments in utility infrastructure."

Round Two POWER UP awards include:

• $59.95 million for Eastman Business Park in Rochester/Greece (Monroe County, Finger Lakes): RED Rochester will modernize critical elements of Eastman Business Park's electrical backbone. The project increases the ability to move electricity across the 1,200-acre campus and into priority development areas; expands transmission and distribution capability for existing and prospective industrial customers; increases dispatchable on-site generation by making more productive use of existing generation and steam assets; improves energy efficiency by capturing waste heat for additional power generation; increases grid import/export capability; improves voltage stability, resiliency and operating flexibility; and reduces electrical demand where available process steam can more efficiently serve industrial thermal loads. The improved power capacity at shovel-ready parcels and vacant buildings around the campus enable attraction of new manufacturers. Improved utilization of utilities within the service area will provide downward pressure on utility rates. The planned electrical upgrades support approximately 116 acres in Eastman Business Park-South and 85 acres in Eastman Business Park-East, together with several other developable parcels and approximately two million square feet at Building 605 and other existing industrial facilities positioned for redevelopment. Total Project Cost: $93.55 million.
  
• $2.17 million for Renaissance Commerce Park in Lackawanna (Erie County, Western New York) The Buffalo and Erie County Industrial Land Development Corporation is planning an electric infrastructure improvement project to further advance the adaptive reuse and revitalization of the former Bethlehem Steel site. POWER UP funds will build upon previous investment in the site by providing additional power capacity and voltage diversity with the installation of a new sub-transmission line serving 128 acres of developable industrial property. The improved access to power, paired with unique incentives, multimodal transportation access, wet utilities, and shovel-ready certification will position the park as an ideal location for advanced manufacturing. Total Project Cost:$2.67 million.

Senator Jeremy Cooney said, "New York is leading in the manufacturing industry and Governor Hochul's POWER UP investments put our state's economic development first. As our electrical infrastructure needs continue to grow, these awards fund critical shovel-ready projects, creating quality jobs and supporting opportunities for manufacturers across Upstate New York, including Rochester's own Eastman Business Park."

State Senator April Baskin said, "Lackawanna has a proud history of manufacturing, and the revitalization of the former Bethlehem Steel site is an important part of building on that legacy. During my time on the Erie County Legislature, I was proud to be involved in the efforts to get Renaissance Commerce Park off the ground. I applaud Governor Hochul's continued investment in the site. This POWER UP funding will help provide the infrastructure needed to attract new manufacturers, create good-paying jobs, and bring new economic opportunities to Lackawanna."

POWER UP is an open-enrollment program that has drawn interest from regions statewide. It builds on the success of FAST NY, which has awarded more than $333 million to 41 sites across Upstate New York, supporting efforts at nearly 8,800 acres - including infrastructure improvements at 4,775 developable acres. While FAST NY focuses on general site readiness, POWER UP specifically targets the electrical and transmission infrastructure required by modern manufacturers whose operations depend on advanced robotics, computing systems, automation, and climate-controlled production environments. By proactively investing in these upgrades, New York is reducing development timelines by years and creating a pipeline of turn-key industrial sites ready for fast-growing sectors such as semiconductors, agribusiness, renewable energy, cleantech and transportation equipment manufacturing.

By making proactive investments in electrical readiness, New York State continues to strengthen its pipeline of industrial development opportunities and ensure communities across the state are prepared to compete for transformational private-sector investment. More information about New York State's POWER UP grant program is available here.