Shovel Ready – In New York State shovel ready, refers to a site that is “certified” under the Build Now-NY Program. A certified shovel ready site is one where a developer and/or municipality has proactively worked with Empire State Development and undergone required zoning considerations, completed necessary environmental surveys and studies, received proper permits and installed utility infrastructure sufficient for the proposed development.
Certified Shovel Ready sites are of very high value to companies looking to expand or relocate because of the reduced time requirements before beginning construction. Companies that want a build-to-suit building and are a on a kinetic timeline can generally get construction underway at a Certified Shovel Ready in an expedited manner. The NYS Shovel Ready Certification significantly cuts the time required to complete construction projects, which means product can be delivered to market faster. The program also assists municipalities market their certified sites, helping spur investment and job creation.
At any given time there are between one and two dozen NYS Certified Shovel Ready sites available in Western New York. From large tracks of open land to available square footage in existing buildings, the NYS Certified Shovel Ready program will fast track development opportunities and save time and money. Our website features a running list of the available shovel ready sites in our region for reference here.
