Empire State Development Announces Premier Power Up Awards
Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the inaugural awards through New York State’s Promote Opportunity with Electric Readiness for Under developed Properties (POWER UP) program, a $300 million initiative designed to create pow er-ready, shovel-ready industrial sites capable of attracting high growth industries and next-generation manufacturers. The first four awards, totaling more than $38.9 million, will fund critical electrical infrastructure upgrades at strategic industrial sites across Western New York, the Mohawk Val ley, the North Country and the Southern Tier, helping position New York State to compete for advanced manufacturing investments and the good-paying jobs they create. POWER UP was first introduced in Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2025 State of the State and funded in the FY26 Enacted Budget as part of the New York’s effective strategy to strengthen its economy by proactively preparing sites for the increasing energy demands of modern industry. Launched in late 2025, ESD 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.
ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Governor Hochul understands that attracting the industries of tomorrow requires investing in the infrastructure they need today. POWER UP is a bold, forward-looking strategy that strengthens New York’s competitive edge by creating sites that are both shovel ready and power-ready. These inaugural awards will unlock new opportunities for communities across the state, support advanced manufacturing growth, and drive lasting economic development.”
New York State Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Chris tian said, “A reliable energy system is a core aspect of supporting and expanding economic development in New York. Large-scale commercial and industrial projects are often energy intensive as a result of structural footprint and processes. Before these projects can actively create jobs and contribute to the flourishing of com munities across the state, forward-looking strategic initiatives such as POW ER UP ensure that power is available and accessible to attract additional innovative industries to New York.”
The inaugural POWER UP awards include:
$6.6 million for Mason Industrial Park in Jamestown (Chautauqua County, Western New York): The Jamestown Board of Public Utilities will construct a new 15kV substation and install a 6,000-foot underground duct bank and high capacity cables to sup port increased industrial load at Mason Industrial Park. The upgrades will improve access to up to 12 MW of power across 66 acres and an adjacent vacant 120,000-square foot industrial building, helping attract semiconductor supply chain production, agribusiness processing and clean tech manufacturing to support much-needed economic development opportunities for the local community. Total Project Cost: $7.5 million.
$15.3 million for Tryon Industrial Park in Perth (Fulton County, Mohawk Valley): The Fulton County IDA will improve electric infra structure to support the adaptive reuse of the former Tryon juvenile correctional facility as a premier advanced manufacturing hub. The project will connect the site to an existing 115kV National Grid trans mission main, extend overhead transmission lines and reinforce the distribution infrastructure, facilitating up to 25 MW of new load and positioning the 220-acre site for semiconductors, agribusiness and renew able energy investment. Total Project Cost: $17.3 million.
$171,000 for Jef ferson County Airport Corporate Park in Dexter (Jefferson County, North Country): The Jefferson County IDA will convert a short run of overhead single-phase power to three-phase service capable of delivering 4 MW of power. Combined with existing shovel ready certification, water and sewer infrastructure, and a prepared 600,000-square-foot building pad, the 88-acre site will be better positioned to compete for high-tech manufacturing, industrial machinery and logistics opportunities while supporting job opportunities for service members transitioning from active duty at Fort Drum and much needed economic growth within the surrounding community. Total Project Cost: $190,000
$16.9 million for Wayland Business Park in Wayland (Steuben County, Southern Tier): The Steuben County IDA will extend a 34.5kV electrical line six miles from the Meyer substation to the 152-acre business park, enabling immediate access to 6 MW of power and up to 21 MW following future grid upgrades. The project builds on previous investments in water and sewer infrastructure and will support transportation equipment and materials processing industries while maximizing the use of existing wind and solar generation in the region. Total Project Cost: $18.779 million.
POWER UP is an open enrollment program has drawn strong interest from regions statewide, with dozens of applications received and additional awards to be announced in the months ahead. 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.