The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) recently announced Futureworks NYC, which it calls “a network of programs, services, and spaces to support the growth of NYC’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem.” According to the Futureworks NYC website, the mission is to “inspire and equip New Yorkers to build a 21st-century production economy together,” starting by requesting proposals from organizations. The selection process will bring together industry stakeholders and city residents to create new services and attract investments to support manufacturing jobs.
Futureworks NYC will have a wide net of resources available, including grants to advance manufacturing startups, technology incubator services, and workforce training programs. It will support over 3,000 jobs, in keeping with the NYCEDC’s stated aim of supporting the production economy and manufacturing entrepreneurs. The highlight of the network will be an ultramodern Advanced Manufacturing Center in the Brooklyn Army Terminal, a space that will provide startups and founders with access to workspace and other resources at low costs.
The program is part of a larger initiative by Mayor de Blasio and Speaker Mark-Viverito to add 20,000 industrial and manufacturing jobs to the New York City workforce.
