"I believe setting up the NY factory may unlock $4m or so of the NY state grant money"?
To "Unlock" said funds I think you will find that the consortium will have to kick in substantial investment themselves at a ratio of around 5:1 as explained in the NY upstate revitalisation initiative;
"Leveraging Private Sector Investment
In order to create permanent private sector jobs and to assure that companies will remain within the region, each plan must demonstrate
a minimum investment ratio of 5 to 1 of private sector to public sector investment across the plan. The private sector investments, if clearly linked to the regional priorities, can take many forms, including, but not limited
to, investments in the purchase or lease of land, buildings or equipment; the construction of new or upgraded buildings or capital equipment; fundsexpended on training, apprenticeship or mentorship programs; in someinstances, the salaries for new employees; investment in venture capitalfunds; upgrading of key infrastructure; or similar expenditures. Other typesof private sector investment will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
It is recognized that not every project will demonstrate a 5 to 1 investmentratio. For example, workforce development and certain infrastructureprojects may provide a greater public investment. However, projects with outside investment must have a close relationship to the region’s priorities.Regions should identify projects expected to substantially exceed the 5 to1 leverage ratio and describe how their strategies will lead to a plan that inaggregate and over time, meets or exceeds the 5 to 1 ratio."
Quoted from this document;
https://esd.ny.gov/sites/default/files/URI_GuideBook.pdf
(20min delay)