Software developer Clever Devices of Woodbury is among 50 entities sharing $15M in NYS aid

A Woodbury-based developer of computer software used by Nassau Inter-County Express bus, New York City Transit bus and other public transportation agencies has won $1 million from the state for new equipment, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced this week.

Clever Devices Ltd. is among 50 local recipients to share in nearly $15 million in grants and tax credits that was awarded in a statewide competition, officials said.

Clever Devices will use the state tax credits from Empire State Development, the state’s primary business-aid agency, to purchase computer server systems and specialized software to increase computing capacity by 25% at the company’s Woodbury headquarters, according to chief operating officer Andrew Stanton.

He said the $5.7 million project will also add 50 jobs to the local staff of 216 people.

“We’re investing in our infrastructure so that our systems are hardened against bad actors,” Stanton said last month when Newsday first reported the expansion project. “We also want to add capacity to help our customers use our products to run their transit systems.”

The Clever Devices project was judged to be a “priority” by the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, which makes funding recommendations to Albany.

The 22-member local council solicits applications each year in the spring and summer. The applications then are scored on a 100-point scale, with up to 20 points from the council and up to 80 points from the state agency that provides the money.

The Long Island council competes with nine others in the Regional Economic Development Councils’ contest, which concludes each spring.

Besides Clever Devices, the big local winners in the 2023-24 competition so far are the National Offshore Wind Training Center Inc. in Brentwood, which was awarded $3 million, and developer AR Hicksville LLC, which received $1 million for a housing and retail complex near the Long Island Rail Road station in Hicksville.

Two manufacturers of candy — Nassau Candy Distributors Inc. in Hicksville and LS Promotions Inc. in Ronkonkoma — together secured a total of $1.2 million to boost production and develop new products, according to the awards booklet.

Hofstra University and New York Institute of Technology each won $625,000 for their business incubators and services for startups.

Thirteen vineyards, breweries and distilleries, from Greenport to Long Beach, were awarded a total of $643,400 for equipment to increase production and repurpose wastewater.

Adventureland will put $205,600 toward the purchase of a new thrill ride, Top Spin, and a new kiddie ride, the Jr. Pirate Ship. The Farmingdale amusement park also plans to install a water main.

In South Huntington, the day care provider A Work of Heart Inc. received $120,000 to support building renovations that increase child-care services, states the awards booklet.

By supporting these projects and others, the local council is “spurring economic growth, propelling technological progress and championing sustainable development,” council co-chairs Linda Armyn, CEO of Bethpage Federal Credit Union and John Nader, president of Farmingdale State College, told Newsday.

Hochul, in announcing the award to Clever Devices on Monday, said grants from ESD are still available for “strong, shovel-ready projects that align with the state and region’s economic development priorities.” To apply, go to apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa.

“These businesses are driving innovation and creating good, stable jobs,” she said.

By James T. Madore

james.madore@newsday.comJamesTMadore

James T. Madore writes about Long Island business news including the economy, development, and the relationship between government and business. He previously served as Albany bureau chief.