Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced 12 New York companies have received support from the State to produce needed supplies to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic. While the State currently has some of the lowest transmission rates in the United States, preparing for a possible “second wave” is vital to protecting essential healthcare workers and the public. These grant funds will help alleviate product shortages due to supply chain issues that could lead to unfair pricing practices. These companies will also increase the State’s manufacturing capacity while creating new jobs and market opportunities. “During the pandemic, the nation has learned a hard lesson about not having a supply chain for vital supplies based here at home in the U.S. and as a result, we had to scour the globe for live-saving products that are mainly manufactured overseas,” Governor Cuomo said. “That won’t happen again in New York – we are building the infrastructure needed for the future and by supporting local companies’ pivot to new areas of production, we will be in a better position to avoid supply and demand issues and secure the items we need both quickly and at reasonable prices.”

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, “Many of the world’s premier and most innovative companies are in New York State. ESD’s support for these businesses not only answers Governor Cuomo’s call for homegrown industries to assist with the state’s efforts to combat the coronavirus but reflects the investment that is being made to strengthen New York’s manufacturing sector, enhance a diverse, dynamic private sector partner that can adapt quickly to new market opportunities, and continue its record of smart growth as we reopen and grow statewide.”

You First Services will be able to scale up the technology to be permanently installed in hospital isolation rooms and containment rooms, government and public buildings such as university infirmaries and meeting areas, schools, restaurants, border entry and security spaces, emergency rooms, ICUs, dental offices and patient waiting rooms. You First Services anticipates the cost to install SteriSpace into existing facilities will range from $50,000 to $300,000 per location, depending on facility size and complexity. You First Services is investing more than $1 million to get the first five sites installed and plans to add up to 20 full-time and part-time employees to its current staff of 40. We are fully committed to NYS to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

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