Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York Power Authority Board of Trustees has approved economic development awards to 17 companies that will support more than 2,300 jobs—nearly 1,600 newly created—and spur more than $671 million in capital investments.
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Low-cost power through the statewide ReCharge NY program was allocated to 14 applicants, while the remaining three awards are to Western New York firms that will benefit from Niagara hydropower allocations.
The approved power allocations of more than 9,300 kilowatts (kW) of low–cost power under the ReCharge NY program will be directed to 14 companies in the Finger Lakes, Western New York, Mid-Hudson, Capital District, New York City, and on Long Island.
The awards directly support nearly 2,150 jobs—more than 1,450 newly created—and nearly $629 million in capital investments.
The NYPA board also approved economic development awards to three companies that will benefit from low-cost hydropower allocations from the Niagara Power Project.
Chocolate Delivery Systems, a Buffalo-based manufacturer of chocolate and confectionary products, was awarded a 4,210-kW hydropower allocation for a $26 million expansion project that will allow the company to significantly increase its production capabilities. The project will create 91 new, full-time, permanent positions while retaining nearly 100 existing jobs. The company’s application was considered under the expanded Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) evaluation criteria approved by the NYPA board at its December 2021 meeting.
RubberForm Recycled Products was awarded a 410-kW hydropower allocation by the NYPA board for an expansion that would support 30 permanent, full-time jobs—nine newly created—and spur more than $2 million in capital investment. RubberForm, a manufacturer of products made from recycled rubber and plastics for various industries, is expanding recycling operations at its Lockport facility.
RubberForm’s application has been considered under the Power Authority’s green jobs evaluation criteria, which was approved by the trustees in December 2020, to allow NYPA to consider green job impacts in New York State when evaluating economic development power applications.
Worksport, a producer of tonneau covers for truck beds, was approved for a 430-kW hydropower allocation in West Seneca that will increase the company’s manufacturing capabilities and represent the company’s initial expansion into the United States.
The proposed facility would produce Worksport’s TerraVis product line, which incorporates tonneau covers integrated with solar panels to allow co
sumers to charge electric vehicles or store electricity in its mobile power stations. The project will create 20 new, permanent, full-time jobs and support $14.2 million in capital spending. Worksport’s application was also considered under the Power Authority’s green jobs evaluation criteria.
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. ■