1. How to Successfully Navigate
New York’s Public Funding
Process
Mark Wladis, Attorney
Jennifer Granzow, Attorney/Grant Writer
Leann West, Government Relations/Economic Development

2. Outline
 Regional Economic Development Councils
 Consolidated Funding Application
 The Process and Timelines
 What to do Before, During, and After the Application Period
 The Scoring Process
 Case Studies
 Questions
 Resource Guide
 Contact Information

3. Regional Economic
Development Councils
 In 2011, Governor Cuomo created 10 Regional Councils to
develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their
regions. A key component of Governor Cuomo's transformative
approach to economic development, these councils are public-
private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders
from business, academia, local government, and non-
governmental organizations
 Also in 2011, as part of a process that awarded $785 million for
job creation and community development, the Regional Councils
produced innovative plans that truly reflect the distinct
characteristics of each of the 10 regions.
 New York kept the momentum going with a second round of
funding in 2012 for the Regional Councils, including $220 million
to implement regional strategic plans.
 The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests
in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-
based, bottom up approach.

4. Regional Economic
Development Councils
 In New York State’s 2013-14 budget, the Legislature included
◦ $150 million in flexible new economic development capital funding
– appropriated to Empire State Development to fund regional
priority projects.
◦ $70 million in State tax credits – set aside from the Excelsior Jobs
tax credit program to fund regional priority projects.
◦ $165 million to provide capital grants that support job creation and
retention and fund capital investments that facilitate business
expansion and the attraction of new businesses.

5. Consolidated Funding
Application
 As part of Governor Cuomo’s efforts to improve New York’s business
climate and expand economic growth, the Governor also created the
Consolidated Funding Application (CFA).
 The CFA has been designed to give economic development project
applicants expedited and streamlined access to a combined pool of
grant funds and tax credits from dozens of existing programs.
 The CFA is a modern and easy-to-use online application that allows
businesses and municipal entities to apply for multiple agency
funding sources through a single, we-based application.

6. Consolidated Funding
Application
 In the 2013-14 funding rounds, the CFA will remain the primary
portal to access state agency resources, including resources for
community development, direct assistance to business, waterfront
revitalization, energy and environmental improvements,
sustainability, workforce development, agricultural economic
development, and low-cost financing.
 State agencies and authorities making resources available in the
CFA include: Empire State Development; NYS Canal Corporation;
NYS Energy Research and Development Authority; NY Power
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 the Council on the Arts.

7. The Process and Timelines
 Funding rounds typically occur once per year
o Funds are announced in the Spring, applications are due 6 to 8
weeks later, and decisions are finalized in the Fall.
If you do not apply, you are leaving
money on the table!

8. What to do Before
 Read your Regional Council’s Strategic Plan
 Attend your Regional Council’s meetings
o Talk to Regional Council representatives about your project
 Determine if your project is a Regional Priority
o Fill out necessary paperwork, pre-applications, or surveys
 Determine potential funding programs
 Build momentum
 Contact regional representatives at funding agencies
 Inform elected officials at the local, regional, and state levels

9. What to do while Applying
 Once the CFA is released, you can begin filling out the application.
 You will need to register your CFA with an email address, and then
you’ll be given a randomly generated “token” which will serve as
your password.
 It is very important to answer all prompts and questions at the
beginning of the application as these answers will determine what
funding your project is eligible for.
 DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO APPLY!

10. What to do After
 Collect and submit support letters.
 Continue attending Regional Council meetings.
 Keep local, regional, and state elected officials informed.
 Continue to build momentum.

11. The Scoring Process
 When your application is submitted, it is first scored by the Regional
Council
◦ The Regional Council determines how well the project fits in with
regional priorities and awards each application a score of up to 20
points
 Applications are then submitted to the appropriate New York State
funding agencies
◦ Taking the Regional Council scores into consideration, the
agencies award each application a score of up to 80 points

12. Case Study
 Municipal Client – Renovations at Public Arena
o $5.81 MM total project cost to renovate public arena in prime
downtown location.
o The application resulted in an award of $500,000 from Empire
State Development through the Consolidated Funding Application
and the Regional Economic Development Council process.
o The “hook” for the Council and the State’s interest in the project
was its connection to the development of the downtown area.
This project was carefully positioned in the application materials
as the lynchpin for downtown revitalization in an economically
depressed area.

13. Case Study
 Municipal Client – Redevelopment of a mixed-use building on the
Village waterfront
o The total project cost was $700,000.
o A successful application was submitted to Homes and Community
Renewal’s Rural Area Revitalization Program for the maximum
award of $200,000.
o The “hook” for this project was the creation of construction jobs,
the opportunity to create full time jobs once the project is
completed, and this building’s location and tie into the
community’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan.

14. Case Study
 Private Business – Modernization project at over 150 year old
manufacturing business
o Total project cost of over $3 MM to purchase new machinery, improve
plant infrastructure, and implement lean manufacturing processes.
o An application was submitted on behalf of the business as a priority
project to the Regional Council and was awarded $600,000.
o An application was also submitted partnering with the locality and the
regional economic development agency to Homes and Community
Renewal for Small Cities funding which resulted in an additional
$150,000 award.
o At the same time, an application was submitted to the New York
Power Authority for a power allocation for the business which was
also awarded.
o The “hook” for this project was the retention of 255 manufacturing
jobs in an economically depressed area.

15. Resource Guide
 www.nyworks.ny.gov
o Link to Regional Councils including Strategic Plans and meeting
schedules
o CFA Resource Manual
o CFA Application Guide
o Application
 www.esd.ny.gov
o Link to Business Programs
o ESD regional office contact information
 www.governor.ny.gov
o Press Releases on funding information

16. Contact Information
The Wladis Law Firm, P.C.
6312 Fly Road
P.O. Box 205
Syracuse, New York 13057
Phone: (315) 445-1700
Email: info@wladislawfirm.com
www.wladislawfirm.com