NY Works Task Force appointed to coordinate and accelerate infrastructure projects, spur job growth

Posted by Betty Little [1] on Thursday, May 3rd, 2012

Related issues: Economic Development [2]

Senator Little talks with Governor Cuomo and Lieutenant Governor Duffy following the announcement of the NY Works Task Force.

GOVERNOR CUOMO AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS APPOINT MEMBERS OF NY WORKS TASK FORCE

Up to $750 Million Will Be Available Through Second Round of Regional Economic Development Councils

Dozens More Transportation and Parks Projects Open for Bidding

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Legislative leaders today announced the membership of the NY Works Task Force, bringing together leading finance, labor, planning, and transportation professionals to coordinate a statewide infrastructure plan that will more effectively and strategically allocate New York’s capital investment funding and create thousands of jobs.

The Governor also announced that up to $750 million will be available as part of a second Regional Economic Development Council competition to support economic development, strategic plan implementation and job creation across the state. In addition, the Governor announced that 101 project contracts to repair state highways, bridges, and parks, consisting of more than $133 million in infrastructure investments, have been opened for bidding.

"The NY Works Task Force brings together an all-star team to help us coordinate and accelerate billions of dollars in capital investment to rebuild the foundation of the state's economy our state's infrastructure and create thousands of private sector jobs," Governor Cuomo said. "The collective expertise of the finance, labor, planning, and transportation professionals on the NY Works Task Force, together with the members of our regional economic development councils, positions government to support bold regional economic development strategies across the state. The Task Force will help enable and accelerate major projects across the state with government working as a partner instead of a barrier to business growth and job creation."

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos said, "The New York Works Task Force brings together some of our state’s top labor, business, and finance experts to ensure that New York’s infrastructure needs are met and that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. With a coordinated plan between state agencies, the Governor is putting in place a program that will accelerate economic development and job creation in all corners of New York State. The second Regional Council competition will continue to transform the way New York approaches economic development and enable each region to continue capitalizing on their own strengths and assets, as well as addressing their most serious concerns. These two initiatives will greatly contribute to the Governor and Legislature’s continued efforts to stimulate economic growth, improve New York's business climate, invest in locally significant projects, and create jobs for New Yorkers."

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, "I am pleased that the State of New York will have a coordinated, streamlined and prioritized plan for building and rebuilding our infrastructure. Bridges, highways, dams, parks and other such projects are the backbone of our economy and an important source of well-paid jobs. I am delighted that the Task Force will include my colleagues, Assembly Members Denny Farrell and Ron Canestrari and I commend Governor Cuomo for establishing the New York Works Initiative."

The 2012-13 Budget established the New York Works Task Force to fundamentally change the way state agencies and authorities spend billions in taxpayer and commuter funds each year. Prior to the creation of the Task Force, there was no single comprehensive state plan for the $16 billion in capital expenditures by 45 state agencies and authorities. This new task force will, for the first time, develop a coordinated infrastructure investment plan for the state. This will ensure that taxpayer dollars are being targeted at the most critical infrastructure and job creation needs.

Additionally, the Task Force will explore financing mechanisms for state capital plans and determine ways to increase availability of capital dollars to spur economic activity and job creation throughout the state.

The NY Works Task Force Membership:

The New York Works Task Force, made up of leaders in finance, labor, government, planning and transportation, will consist of fifteen members. Nine of those members will be appointed by the Governor, and six by the Legislature. All major state agencies and authorities will be required to participate on an implementation council to coordinate capital planning.

Membership of the Task Force includes:

Governor Appointments:
Denis Hughes, Former President, NYS AFL-CIO – co-chair
Felix Rohatyn, Former Chairman, Municipal Assistance Corporation – co-chair
Mayor Byron Brown, Mayor of Buffalo
Michael Fishman, President, SEIU Local 32BJ
Peter Goldmark, Program Director for Climate and Air, Environmental Defense Fund
Gary LaBarbera, President, NYC Building & Construction Trades Council
Carol Kellermann, President, Citizens Budget Commission
Mayor Stephanie Miner, Mayor of Syracuse
Robert Yaro, President, Regional Plan Association

Senate Majority Appointments:
John Cameron, Chairman, Long Island Regional Planning Council
Robert Mujica, Chief of Staff to the Senate Majority and Secretary to the Senate Finance Committee

Assembly Majority Appointments:
Ron Canestrari, Assembly Majority Leader
Herman D. Farrell, Chairman of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee

Biographies of the members can be found here: http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/NYWorksTaskForceBiographiesfinal.pdf [3]

Staff to the Task Force will include a team of state officials led by Margaret Tobin, a finance and economic development specialist, who will serve as Executive Director.

Denis Hughes said, “The Governor and his team have laid out an impressive and ambitious plan to get New York back on its feet, and I am honored to be a part of this effort. Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, public and private sector businesses, labor and community leaders will work together to rebuild this state. For members of the labor community, NY Works means thousands of jobs for hardworking, middleclass men and women. Governor Cuomo made creating jobs for the middleclass the centerpiece of his economic agenda and I thank him for the opportunity to serve as co-chair of the NY Works Task Force.”

Felix Rohatyn said, “Governor Cuomo knows that investing in infrastructure is not only a worthwhile investment for governments, but an absolutely essential one. By creating NY Works, the Governor has elevated the cause of investing in New York's infrastructure, a cause that I have championed for many years. NY Works will propel New York towards a more productive and business-friendly future that uses public/private partnerships as a catalyst for growth, job creation, and innovation. I'd like to thank the Governor for his commitment to rebuilding New York's critical infrastructure and for giving me the opportunity to serve as co-chair of this distinguished body.”

Up to $750 Million Available Through Second Round of Regional Economic Development Councils

The Governor today announced that up to $750 million in state funding and tax incentives will be awarded through the second round of Regional Economic Development Councils to support economic development, strategic plan implementation and job creation across the state. The second Regional Council competition will focus on the implementation of each region's strategic plan and identifying and investing in locally significant priority projects.

All 20 co-chairs of the ten Regional Councils wrote a joint letter to Governor Cuomo and the Lieutenant Governor, which is available here: http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/050312REDCCoChairLaunch%20LetterFINAL.pdf [4]

Last year, Governor Cuomo launched the ten Regional Councils and the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA). These innovations transformed the way state invests in economic development and job creation in order, stimulate economic growth through a comprehensive, community-based strategic planning process that identified regionally significant projects through a streamlined application process. In December 2011, after months of consideration by the Regional Councils and input at more than one hundred public meetings, forums and community workshops, $785 million was awarded for job creation and priority projects consistent with each region’s strategic plans.

Funding for the second round includes $220 million ($150 million in capital and $70 million in tax credits from the Excelsior Jobs Program) to implement regional strategic plans and support priority projects, and up to $530 million from state agency programs through the CFA to support regionally-significant economic development projects.

Five awards of $25 million will be made. The competition will have two parts:

First, the four regions with the 2011 Best Plans will compete for two awards of up to $25 million each in capital funds. Awards will be made based on the progress the Regional Councils have made implementing their strategies and evolution of their strategic plans.

Second, the remaining six regions will compete for three awards of up to $25 million each in capital funds. Awards will be made based on the regions’ revised and updated strategic plans and progress made implementing their strategies.

The balance of the $25 million in capital will be available for priority projects in remaining five regions. In addition, each region will also be eligible for up to $10 million in Excelsior Tax Credits to help attract and grow business in the region.

The CFA enables businesses and other entities to apply to multiple agency funding sources through a single, web-based application. The 2012 CFA will provide access to $530 million in economic development resources from 21 programs across a dozen state agencies, including: Empire State Development; NYS Canal Corporation; NYS Energy Research and Development Authority; Environmental Facilities Corporation; Homes and Community Renewal; Department of Labor; Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; Department of State; New York Power Authority; Agriculture and Markets; Department of Environment Conservation; and Council on the Arts. The agency programs provide resources for projects focused on community development, direct assistance to business, waterfront revitalization, energy and environmental improvements, sustainability, workforce development, agricultural economic development and low-cost financing.

The CFA is now open to applicants. CFAs will be reviewed by the local Regional Council based on its alignment with the strategic plan and will be reviewed on a technical basis by agencies from which the applicant may be eligible for funding.

To maximize participation in the process and ensure high-quality applications, public workshops will be held in each region of the state to explain the programs and eligibility standards, as well as recent improvements to the CFA application process. A schedule of workshops is available here: http://www.governor.ny.gov/assets/documents/cfa_workshop_calendar.pdf [5]

Application materials, 2012 Regional Council Guidebook, CFA Available Resource Guide and calendar of CFA workshops are available online at http://nyworks.ny.gov [6].

NY Works Projects Opened for Bidding:

The Governor today announced that over a hundred more NY Works State Parks project contracts and NY Works pavement and bridge project contracts have been opened for bidding.

Projects funded through the NY Works program continue to progress quickly, less than two months after Governor Cuomo signed the 2012-2013 Budget allowing funding for these projects to move forward. As a result of the expedited bidding process coordinated by NY Works, construction on the first wave of projects is scheduled to begin this summer.

First Wave of State Park Upgrade Project Contracts:

Bid openings occurred in the last week on the following State Park projects:

An estimated $200,000 contract to resurface entrance roads at Grafton Lake State Park.

An estimated $458,500 contract to repair vent and weir structures at the Old Croton Aqueduct.

An estimated $1.1 million contract to repair the Estate Wall at Mills-Norrie State Park.

An estimated $399,000 contract to construct a bridge over the Willow Creek for the Black Diamond Trial in Ithaca.

Second Wave of Highway and Bridge Project Contracts:

The seven contracts, consisting of 97 projects, represent more than $131 million in highway and bridge construction work in communities across the state.

Projects with final design approval were advertised to construction contractors in advance of the bid opening date. Contractors then develop detailed plans for construction that were submitted to the State Department of Transportation (DOT). The contractor with the lowest bid will have its proposal sent to the State Attorney General and State Comptroller’s offices for review and approval.

Bundling projects sites within close geographic locations into a single contract enables DOT to lower expenses and obtain lower bids. Funding from the NY Works program allows DOT to address infrastructure deficiencies before they become large-scale projects that require expensive repairs. NY Works is designed to address not only the infrastructure needs of all deteriorating roads and bridges, but the program will also focus on pavement and bridge decks that are in fair condition and improve their condition to good. This preventive maintenance type of work is designed to better preserve the state’s infrastructure and guard against the need for more costly, in-depth construction projects.

The following pavement and bridge projects were opened to bidding over the past week:

Western NY

Pavement Projects:

Interstate 86 from Cuba to Friendship in Allegany County;

Route 20 from Westfield east village line to Brocton east village line in Chautauqua County;

Strunk Road from Route 430 to Interstate 86 in Chautauqua County;

Route 394 from Gerry Levant Road to Kennedy in Chautauqua County;

Route 394 from Route 20 to Mayville north village line in Chautauqua County;

Route 426 in Interstate 86 to the Route 426/420 split in Chautauqua County;

Route 76 from Route 20 to Route 5 in Chautauqua County;

Route 322 from Route 83 to the Cattaraugus county line in Chautauqua County;

Sweethome Road from Maple to SUNY Buffalo in Erie County;

Route 62 from Bagdad Road to Wilcox Road in Erie County;

Route 240 from Davis Road to Cole Road in Erie County; and

Route 104 from Lewiston east village line to Model City Road in Niagara County.

Finger Lakes

Pavement Projects:

Route 14 from Randalls Crossing to the Ontario county line in Yates County.

Central New York

Bridge Projects:

Route 31 over Putnam Brook in Brutus, Cayuga County;

West Adams Street over Onondaga Creek in Syracuse, Onondaga County;

I-81 over East Calthrop Avenue in Syracuse, Onondaga County;

I-81 over East Castle Street in Syracuse, Onondaga County;

I-690 eastbound over Crouse Avenue in Syracuse, Onondaga County;

I-690 westbound over Crouse Avenue in Syracuse, Onondaga County;

I-690 over Peat Street in Syracuse, Onondaga County;

Pavement Projects:

Route 20 from the Seneca county line to the city of Auburn in Cayuga County;

Route 41 from Route 281 to the Onondaga county line in Cortland County;

Route 13 from Cazenovia to New Woodstock in Madison;

Route 290 from North Burdick Street to Route 5 in Onondaga County; and

Route 317 from the village of Elbridge to Old Route 31C in the village of Jordan, Onondaga County.

Southern Tier

Pavement Projects:

Route 14 from Broad Street to Veteran town line in Chemung County;

Route 328 from Route 14 to the Pennsylvania state line in Chemung County;

Route 13 from the Chemung county line to the Tompkins county line in Schuyler; and

Route 34B from Route 38 to Triphammer Road in Tompkins County.

Mohawk Valley

Bridge Projects:

Route 162 over railroad tracks in Root, Montgomery County;

Route 8 northbound over the NY Susquehanna and Western Railroad tracks, one mile from the junction of Routes 8 and 12 in New Hartford, Oneida County;

Route 8 southbound over the NY Susquehanna and Western Railroad tracks, one mile from the junction of Routes 8 and 12 in New Hartford, Oneida County;

Route 8 over the NY Susquehanna and Western Railroad tracks, seven miles from the junction of Routes 8 and 12 in New Hartford, Oneida County;

Route 69 over Route 26 in Rome, Oneida County;

Route 26 over Route 365 in Rome, Oneida County;

Route 69 over Route 365 in Rome, Oneida County;

Route 20 over Fly Creek in Esperance, Schoharie County.

Pavement Projects:

Route 5S from Amsterdam to Route 8 at the Schenectady county line in Montgomery County;

Route 69 from Taberg to Canada Cr. in Oneida County;

Route 12 from Waterville to County Road 7 in Oneida County;

Route 12 from County Road 7 to Paris in Oneida County;

Route 12 from Route 5 to the New Hartford town line in Oneida County;

Route 7 from Unadilla to the railroad overpass in Otsego County; and

North Country

Pavement Projects:

Interstate 87 from Salmon River to Cumberland Head in Clinton County;

Route 11 from Route 9B to Route 2 in Clinton County;

Route 11 through Ellenburg, Altona and Mooers in Clinton County

Route 373 from Route 9 to the ferry in Essex County;

Route 37 from Frogtown Road to Route 95 in Franklin County;

Route 30 from Mountain Pond Road to Route 458 in Franklin County;

Route 37 from the St. Regis Reservation to Fort Covington in Franklin County;

Route 30 from Hamilton County Lane to Moody in Franklin County;

Route 37 Route 95 to the St. Regis reservation in Franklin County;

Route 30 from the Hamilton county line to Moody in Franklin County;

Route 8 from Morehouse to Route 10 in Hamilton County;

Route 3 from Eastern Boulevard to Route 342 in Jefferson County;

Route 11 from Antwerp to St. Lawrence county line in Jefferson County;

Route 11 from Waddingham Road to the village of Philadelphia in Jefferson County;

Route 342 from Route 11 to Route 283 in Jefferson County;

Route 12E from Limerick to the village of Chaumont in Jefferson County;

Route 812 from the Croghan town line to Route 3 in Lewis County;

Route 26 from Potters Corners to the village of Turin, Lewis County

Route 177 from Woodbattle Road to Bettle Road in Lewis County;

Route 410 through the village of Castorland in Lewis County;

Route 11 from Potsdam to Market Street in St. Lawrence County;

Route 37 from Waddington to Massena in St. Lawrence County;

Route 58 from North Edwards Road to the north village line in Fine, St. Lawrence County;

Route 37 from Ogdensburg to Waddington in St. Lawrence County;

Route 11 from Canton to Potsdam in St. Lawrence County;

Route 58 from North Edwards Road to the Edwards/Fowler town line in St. Lawrence County;

Route 37 from Keystone Road to Waddington in St. Lawrence County;

Route 58 from Route 3 to the Fine north village line in St. Lawrence County;

Route 68 from Woodbridge Corners to the village of Canton in St. Lawrence County; and

Route 37 and 12 interchange in Morristown, St. Lawrence County.

Capital Region

Bridge Projects:

Pavement Projects:

Route 9W from Miller Road to Neil Boulevard in Albany County;

Route 32 from Elm Avenue to Route 9W in Albany County;

Route 197 from Route 32 to the Hudson River in Saratoga County; and

Route 7 from the Schoharie county line to Normans Kill Bridge in Princetown, Schenectady County.

Mid-Hudson

Pavement Projects:

Route 9 from Old Post Road to the Columbia County line in Dutchess County;

Route 9 from West Dorsey Lane to South Cross Road in Dutchess County;

Route 113 from Route 9 to Route 376 in Dutchess County;

Route 82 from the Taconic Parkway to Route 55 in Dutchess.

Route 17 from Exit 122 to Exit 131 in Orange County;

Route 208 from Route 17M to Washingtonville in Orange County;

Route 300 from Route 208 to the New York State Thruway in Orange County;

Route 9W from the Lloyd/Esopus town line to Clay Road in Ulster County;

Route 9W from Routes 209 and 199 to Route 32 in Ulster County;

Route 300 from Route 208 to the New York State Thruway in Ulster County; and

Route 32 from the Walkill River to the Kingston city line in Ulster County.

DOT will continue to advertise and open contract bids for NY Works programs over the next months.

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Other information

Feature image:

Senator Little talks with Governor Cuomo and Lieutenant Governor Duffy following the announcement of the NY Works Task Force. [7]

Thu, 05/03/2012