Enacted Budget Fact Sheet
Improving the Business Climate
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Economic Development
- Upstate Chair for ESDC. The budget provides support for the newly established co-chair of the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) to focus on Upstate economic development. The initiative will be housed in an office in Buffalo.
- Brownfields Development. The budget provides for additional staff at both the Department of Environmental Conservation and ESDC to improve the State’s Brownfields program and make redevelopment a reality across the State.
- Dairy Industry Support. $30 million in aid will be provided to support the dairy industry.
Emerging Technologies and Industries
- Stem Cell Research. The Enacted Budget provides $100 million in operating support for stem cell research in 2007-08 as part of a multi-year commitment.
- High Technology Investments. More than $24 million is provided to support various high technology programs, including the Centers of Excellence ($7.075 million), Centers for Advanced Technology ($15 million), emerging technology workforce training at community colleges ($2.1 million)
Infrastructure
- Broadband Investments. The budget provides $5 million to begin implementation of a program to make broadband Internet services more widely available throughout the State.
- Transportation Investments. The Enacted Budget will continue the five-year State transportation plan funding investments in State and local highway and bridge projects, preventive maintenance and to meet emerging needs.
- The budget adds $16 million to the level proposed in the Executive Budget for the CHIPS local highway capital aid program. Total CHIPS funding in 2007-08 for cities, towns and villages is $312.5 million, a net $3 million increase above 2006-07 levels.
- Significant Funding for MTA. Significant funding is provided for the MTA, as well as transit systems across the State.
- Affordable Housing Investments. $50 million is available for the development of affordable housing across the State.
NOTE: The information on this page is taken from the 2007-2008 Financial Plan.