New York wiring money to IT

New York state is continuing its full-court press to attract high-tech businesses

by offering developers up to $75,000 each to help install wiring in existing

commercial buildings.

Companies and organizations had 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.