$1.2M grants on LI for start-ups

The Empire State Development Corp. approved $1.2 million in grants Tuesday for projects on Long Island that will help high-tech start-ups, Suffolk County's scallop population and an expanding pharmaceutical company.

The awards are part of $9.8 million in statewide funding approved by the state economic development authority. Officials say the grants will create 120 new jobs and save 1,069 others.

Accelerate Long Island, which coordinates efforts to support software and biotech start-ups, received $500,000.

And Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County received $182,900 to help restore the Peconic Bay scallop population. -- Joe Ryan