3 NY finalists among those that could share $1B in U.S. economic grants

WASHINGTON — Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Monday announced 60 finalists for $1 billion in economic development grants tied to the Biden administration's coronavirus relief package and aimed at improving job training and regional industry partnerships.

Three of the finalists are from upstate New York: a manufacturing center in Binghamton for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, a project in the Buffalo area for advanced manufacturing and a training program in Syracuse tied to drones.

There were 529 applicants for the grants. That means roughly 11% of submissions made it to this round. Ultimately, 20 to 30 regional coalitions will be chosen for up to $100 million in grants that could shape manufacturing, clean energy and life science hubs around the country. Twelve of the finalists were from places tied to the coal industry.

Two of the applications were from Long Island.

Nassau County sought funding for its "Build Back Better Initiative," which involves the Nassau Hub area around Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, a spokeswoman for outgoing County Executive Laura Curran told Newsday.

The Research Foundation for the SUNY and Stony Brook University sought help for the "Northeast Offshore Wind (NOW) Coalition," according to an October announcement from the Commerce Department.

The finalists were predominantly coalitions made up of government, academic and economic partnerships. They will receive $500,000 each to help plan for the next round, with applications due in March. The deadline for choosing the winners is September.

"This program will bring communities back in regions across America," Alejandra Castillo, assistant commerce secretary for economic development, said in an interview. She said the program was designed to bring different local partners together "to leverage their assets."

Among the city-led finalists are: Indianapolis; Newark, New Jersey; Tucson, Arizona; Manchester, New Hampshire; Phoenix; and New Orleans. The finalists also include universities in Alabama, Maine, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Kansas. There are also economic partnerships and industry-specific organizations such as the Wisconsin Paper Council.

White House senior adviser Gene Sperling, who is overseeing coronavirus relief, said interest far exceeded the expected 150 applicants. — With James T. Madore