The New York Power Authority Board of Trustees approved more than 23 megawatts of ReCharge NY power and low-cost hydropower to 11 enterprises throughout the state.
North Country
Confluent Energies, a Massachusetts-based firm that is developing a network of advanced technology greenhouses in Massena, is receiving 16 MW of NYPA low-cost hydropower to create 240 jobs and $110 million in capital investments.
The facilities will be constructed in four phases over the next three years, with operations at the first facility scheduled to begin in 2020.
Once operational, the greenhouses will produce leafy green vegetables, particularly lettuce, year-round.
NYPA's hydropower allocations from the St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project are provided to manufacturers under ten-year contracts and are reserved for businesses in Franklin, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.
Western New York
The NYPA trustees approved a 2-MW hydropower allocation to Thinking Robot Studios in Buffalo to support the creation of 88 jobs and $84 million in capital investments.
The ten-year power allocation is in support of the construction of a new manufacturing facility for the Canadian-based firm looking to establish a presence in Western New York.
The firm specializes in the mass customization and manufacturing of medical devices utilizing industrial grade 3D printing.
The new facility, which is expected to begin operations in the fall of 2020, will be more than 63,000-square-feet and produce custom medical devices, such as orthopedic implants and systems for bone and joint reconstruction.
Low-cost Niagara hydropower is available for companies within a 30-mile radius of the Power Authority's Niagara Power Project or businesses in Chautauqua County.
Niagara hydropower is linked to tens of thousands of existing jobs in the region.
Statewide
The NYPA board today also approved 10 allocations of low-cost power under the statewide ReCharge NY program in support more than 3,700 jobs, with 43 of those being newly created.
The Governor's ReCharge NY program, established in 2012, has positively affected the New York State economy by encouraging companies to retain and create jobs, while sparking capital investment throughout the state.
Including today's allocations, ReCharge NY is actively providing power to nearly 740 businesses and not-for-profit organizations.
The low-cost power awards will be distributed to enterprises in the Finger Lakes, Central New York, Southern Tier, North Country and on Long Island. ■