ALBANY - Empire State Development’s Board of Directors met today in New York City and approved funding totaling $5.55 million, leveraging more than $21.5 million in additional private and public investments to support business growth, create up to 50 new jobs and retain 180 existing jobs in New York State.

“ESD is starting 2013 off strong with the Board’s actions today, creating and retaining jobs for New Yorkers and incentivizing significant private investment,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams. “Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, the Regional Council process is moving major projects forward like the Inner Harbor redevelopment in Syracuse, which will generate hundreds of millions in local economic activity and create thousands of good jobs. Additionally, our funding is benefiting communities throughout the North Country by providing better access to health care through the ACTION Network. After a successful 2012 at ESD, we’re looking forward to an even better 2013.”

The Board approved the following Regional Council Capital Fund grants:

• COR Inner Harbor Company, LLC – Priority Project (Central New York Region – Onondaga County) – $3,000,000

The Board approved the following Economic Development Fund grants:

• Unifrax I, LLC (Tonawanda, Western New York Region –  Erie County) – $1,500,000
• Adirondack - Champlain Telemedicine Network (Capital and North Country Regions – Franklin, Essex, Clinton, St. Lawrence, Warren, Washington, Saratoga and Rensselaer Counties) – $550,000

The Board approved the following Restore New York grants:

• City of Buffalo – Buffalo – Restore NY III – Fairfield Library (Erie County) - $500,000

Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov).