New York wiring money to IT

New York is continuing its full-court press to attract high-tech businesses to the state by offering developers up to $75,000 each to help install wiring in existing commercial buildings.

Companies and organizations have until Jan. 15 to tap the $1 million committed to the Wired Building initiative. Grants, which must be matched by the applicant, will be awarded by March.

The initiative, first outlined by Gov. George Pataki in his 2000 State of the State address, is designed to make wired workspace more affordable for small IT businesses.

Empire State Development, the state's economic development authority, will select proposals that meet IT business needs, according to spokesman Eric Mangan. Such needs include hardware-hosting facilities and business incubators where start-up companies share telecommunications infrastructure until they can expand and relocate.

Grant money can be used for projects related to wiring buildings, such as upgrading electrical, temperature control and security systems. Grants also will cover costs associated with upgrading existing lines to high-speed Internet connections.

Eligible applicants include real estate developers, local economic development authorities, educational institutions and public/private partnerships.