Empire State Development

Empire State Trail Report Offers Insights Across New York State

July 2, 2026 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Empire State Trail is a 750-mile multi-use trail spanning New York State, making it the longest single-state multi-use trail in the United States. Completed in December 2020, the network connects New York City to the Canadian border and Buffalo to Albany, creating a continuous route for bicyclists, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

A landmark 2026 study commissioned by Parks & Trails New York found that the trail generates $1.87 billion in annual economic output, supports 9,680 jobs, produces $640.9 million in employee earnings, and generates $206 million in state and local tax revenue. [Read more…] about Empire State Trail Report Offers Insights Across New York State

Historic $200 Million Downtown Albany Strategy Released

February 15, 2026 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled the Downtown Albany Strategy, a revitalization plan that is part of the $400 million Championing Albany’s Potential (CAP) Initiative.

The strategy is backed by $200 million in public investments from New York State to guide coordinated action that is hoped to “spur housing growth to attract new residents, create jobs, promote long-term redevelopment, enliven commercial corridors, and energize the public realm.” [Read more…] about Historic $200 Million Downtown Albany Strategy Released

Reconnect the Empire State Plaza Public Workshop

October 29, 2025 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Governor Kathy Hochul’s Championing Albany’s Potential initiative is bringing $400 million in new investment to Downtown Albany. This includes the Downtown Albany Strategy, led by Empire State Development, to create a long-term vision for the area.

As part of this work, the New York State Office of General Services (OGS) is leading the Reconnect the Empire State Plaza project. [Read more…] about Reconnect the Empire State Plaza Public Workshop

New York Study of Public and Private Museums Informational Webinars

May 26, 2025 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Join a free webinar to learn more about the study and how to participate in the New York Study of Public and Private Museums, a sort of census of all chartered museums in the state of New York. Four webinars will be offered on the following dates: [Read more…] about New York Study of Public and Private Museums Informational Webinars

New York Study of Public and Private Museums Underway

May 2, 2025 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

So far, 55 museums have completed surveys for the ongoing New York Study of Public and Private Museums – but New York’s museum community represents many, many more museums.

Whether you’ve already started the survey or you’re thinking about joining, now’s the perfect time to jump in and complete your submission. [Read more…] about New York Study of Public and Private Museums Underway

Shaker Museum Breaks Ground on New Chatham Facility

April 10, 2025 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Shaker Museum, which stewards the most comprehensive collection of Shaker material culture and archives, held a groundbreaking celebration to mark the commencement of the construction phase on its new museum home in downtown Chatham, Columbia County, NY.

The new facility will exhibit more than 18,000 pieces of Shaker material culture and was designed by Selldorf Architects, the design firm behind the enhancement and expansion of The Frick Collection and the National Gallery in London. [Read more…] about Shaker Museum Breaks Ground on New Chatham Facility

What Happened to Renovating Penn Station?

August 20, 2024 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Historic preservation advocates say yesterday’s Crain’s New York Business question, “What Happened to Renovating Penn Station?,” deserves an answer. It’s been more than a year since New York State Governor Kathy Hochul offered public comments on Penn Station and said she would welcome private development proposals. [Read more…] about What Happened to Renovating Penn Station?

Report: State Agencies Ignoring New York’s Climate Mandates

August 17, 2024 by Editorial Staff 2 Comments

A recent report reveals that nearly every major New York State agency is ignoring climate mandates, including four of the state’s best-funded departments.

The report, “Flouting the Law: Major State Agencies Are Ignoring New York’s Climate Mandates,” by New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) and the NY Renews Coalition, highlights these failures. [Read more…] about Report: State Agencies Ignoring New York’s Climate Mandates

Preservation Work Underway at Nash House Museum in Buffalo

August 12, 2024 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission in Buffalo, Erie County, NY is the recipient of a 2024 Preserve New York Grant from the Preservation League of NYS in the amount of $14,000 for work toward preserving the Nash House Museum. The Museum was once the home of Rev. Edward Nash, the longest-serving pastor of the Black community’s Michigan Street Baptist Church. [Read more…] about Preservation Work Underway at Nash House Museum in Buffalo

An Albany Waterway Canal Project Update

July 11, 2024 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Albany Waterway Canal, a transformative project with hopes to revitalize downtown Albany’s access to the Hudson River, is moving forward on two fronts. [Read more…] about An Albany Waterway Canal Project Update

Niagara Scenic Parkway Removal Update

January 25, 2024 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) is beginning the scoping process for phase three of the removal of the Niagara Scenic Parkway, between Findlay Drive in the City of Niagara Falls and Center Street in the Village of Lewiston. [Read more…] about Niagara Scenic Parkway Removal Update

Thomas Cole Historic Site Break Ground On New Visitor Center

November 22, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Thomas Cole National Historic Site, located in the village of Catskill, Greene County, has broken ground on a new visitor center.

The new 1,800 square foot visitor center, to be named The Cole Center, will serve as a multi-purpose open concept space designed to improve visitor experience. It will include a gift shop, a café, and a public patio, and will host visitor orientation, events and creative activities.

Thomas Cole Site Gets Major Grant for Master Plan

December 5, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Thomas Cole National Historic Site in Catskill, NY is a National Historic Landmark located and international destination that includes the home and studios of artist and early environmentalist Thomas Cole (1801-1848).

Cole founded the first major art movement of the United States, now known as the Hudson River School of landscape painting. His home and studios are surrounded by the stunning New York landscapes that he painted, weaving the wilderness of the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River Valley into our national identity. [Read more…] about Thomas Cole Site Gets Major Grant for Master Plan

NY State History Month: Another View

November 19, 2015 by Peter Feinman Leave a Comment

November is New York State History Month. The goal of this initiative certainly is a worthy one. Naturally as historians, a primary source document such as a press release invites a close reading of the text. That’s what historians do and government publications are not exempt from such scrutiny. The exercise is quite productive and one can learn a lot from doing it.
[Read more…] about NY State History Month: Another View

Upstate Revitalization: Limited Inspiration from the Past

November 1, 2015 by Dr. Bruce W. Dearstyne Leave a Comment

A few years ago, NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo launched a statewide “Revitalization Initiative” to help revitalize and expand the state’s economy. Job creation is the primary goal. Major state funding has been allocated and directed to a variety of projects. Last spring, the Governor changed the program to focus on the “Upstate Revitalization Initiative.” The overall goal is “systematically revitalizing the economy of Upstate New York,” in the words of the official guidelines. [Read more…] about Upstate Revitalization: Limited Inspiration from the Past

Suffrage Centennial: Historians, NYS Tourism Officials Clash

October 29, 2015 by Peter Feinman 10 Comments

In early October, the New York Cultural Heritage Tourism Network under the leadership of Spike Herzig, a member of the Tourism Advisory Council, hosted a meeting in Seneca Falls for the Women’s Suffrage Centennial.

There were about 85 attendees, mainly from the central New York region. The purpose was to meet, learn, and plan for the upcoming centennials of women gaining the right to vote in New York State (2017) and the United States (2020). The event’s agenda was abandoned as members of the history community began to air their frustrations over Empire State Development’s role in heritage tourism. [Read more…] about Suffrage Centennial: Historians, NYS Tourism Officials Clash

NY History and Upstate Tourism Development Awards

March 2, 2015 by Peter Feinman 4 Comments

This post brings to a conclusion the series on the awards granted by the Regional Economic Development Councils in December 2014. The purpose of the series is to provide the history community with information about what actually is occurring in New York State funding.

It provides readers of these posts with the opportunity to draw on the primary source documents about what really is being done. It examines furthermore what Empire State Development is doing with the new money it has received and to determine if the Path through History has substance. [Read more…] about NY History and Upstate Tourism Development Awards

2015 Museums Conference Keynote Speakers Set

January 29, 2015 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The Museum Association of New York (MANY) has announced the keynote speakers for the 2015 Museums in Action Conference, being held in Corning, NY from Sunday, April 12th to Tuesday, April 14th.

The 2015 conference theme is “Museums Mean Business”. Locally, statewide and across the country, museums help drive the economy. The scope of their impact is varied and wide, and includes audiences from all ranges of income and education. Tourists, local community members and school children are only a few of the groups that frequent museums on a daily basis. Each year nationally, more people visit museums than attend all professional sporting events and theme parks combined! Museums provide jobs, education and community spaces, and are a major attraction for tourism dollars. [Read more…] about 2015 Museums Conference Keynote Speakers Set

An Update On The Finger Lakes Museum

January 14, 2015 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

In December, The Finger Lakes Museum was awarded two New York State agency grants through Round IV of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. The awards totaled $254,500.

In two separate letters to museum board President John Adamski, Empire State Development President and CEO Kenneth Adams wrote that the Finger Lakes Regional Council had recommended a $200,000 grant award for capital construction work at the museum’s campus in Branchport and an additional $54,500 through its Division of Tourism for marketing and promotion through the state’s I Love New York program. [Read more…] about An Update On The Finger Lakes Museum

Guest Essay:
Path Through History Highlights Historic Assets

October 1, 2014 by Guest Contributor Leave a Comment

What follow is an guest essay by Mark Castiglione – Acting Executive Director, Hudson River Valley Greenway and Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, and Path Through History Workgroup Liaison; and Ross D. Levi – Vice President, Marketing Initiatives, Empire State Development

Even though few states have had as much impact on history or are home to as many authentic historic attractions, New York State has not always come to mind for history lovers as quickly as places like Boston, Philadelphia, and Virginia. In an effort to help change this perception, Governor Cuomo created the Path Through History [PTH] initiative to draw attention to New York’s unparalleled history and grow heritage tourism throughout the state, and through it promote economic development and create jobs. As we conclude the busy summer travel season, it’s worth noting how far we have come in promoting heritage tourism in New York as well as the future opportunities that exist to expand the effort. [Read more…] about Guest Essay:
Path Through History Highlights Historic Assets

Empire State Development

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