NEW YORK - Empire State Development Corporation’s Board of Directors Tuesday approved grants totaling nearly $17 million, pledging to create more than 1,495 jobs in New York State.

A Restore New York Communities Initiative grant was authorized by the ESDC Board. The Restore New York program is targeted toward the revitalization of urban areas and the stabilization of neighborhoods as a means to attract residents and businesses.

• The Town of Canton has been awarded a $1,254,340 Restore NY II grant to renovate the historic Gray Lanes bowling alley into commercial space and riverside condominiums. This adaptive reuse of the Gray Lanes building, which is located in Canton’s business district along the Grasse River, will complement downtown growth and additional planned waterfront park development. Total project cost is $3,113,334.

• Top Quality Hay Processors in Romulus has been awarded a $100,000 grant to purchase new machinery and equipment, which will increase the company’s capacity to maximize its unique hay drying method.  Using an indoor method, Top Quality turns freshly cut forage into dry hay in four hours. The company currently employs eight full-time employees and has pledged to create a total of 30 full-time positions. The project, which includes the completed relocation of Top Quality into a vacant building at the former Seneca Army Depot, has a total cost of $2,443,740.

• The Fund for the City of New York, a not-for-profit organization established by the Ford Foundation to improve the quality of life of all New Yorkers, supports organizations through its Incubator Program. This program provides vital administrative support to allow organizations to focus their resources on programs and services. The Fund has been awarded an $80,000 grant, which it will direct through the Incubator Program to the Regional Alliance for Small Contractors. The Regional Alliance is a not-for-profit organization which provides an array of technical, financial and training services designed to reduce the barriers minority and women-owned construction firms encounter when seeking public or private contracts. The grant will allow the Regional Alliance to provide capacity building training to 240 to 280 small minority and women business owners in New York State. The total project cost is $117,128.

• Today the board approved modifications of the general project plan; these provide GlobalFoundries U.S. Inc. with the necessary funding to complete the construction and equipping of the modified project.  The planned size of the facility and the anticipated build-out period remain the same. The amended general project plan estimates the creation of approximately 1,465 jobs, an increase of 260 jobs.  The additional 260 jobs provided are not a commitment and are not subject to the recapture provisions of the grant disbursement agreement.  The additional $15 million grant assists in the financing of machinery and equipment for the project.

• The Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization (“FDRLO”) in Watertown was awarded a $275,000 grant for staffing and contractual services associated with the continued operation of the organization.  FDRLO is committed to fostering a positive relationship between members of the military and civilians who reside near the Fort Drum Army base, which is the largest employer in northern New York.  Currently, the organization is focused on meeting housing needs in the area and marketing the base to community members and elected officials. Total project cost is $275,000.

• The Board of Directors also approved an amended general project plan for the Atlantic Yards Land Use Improvement and Civic Project, a major transit-oriented development in the Atlantic Terminal area of Brooklyn.