Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. has awarded Wireless Innovations and Job Creation-Attraction grants to eMagin Corporation as they undertake a major expansion at their facilities at iPark in East Fishkill, Dutchess County that will increase their footprint by 25 percent. eMagin will be eligible for up to $200,000 in grant funding from Central Hudson as well as additional workforce development grants from Dutchess County.

eMagin was founded 21 years ago in Dutchess County and is the only U.S. manufacturer of OLED microdisplays. Applications for the company’s microdisplays include augmented reality and virtual reality systems, heads-up displays, thermal scopes, night vision goggles, and more for commercial, industrial, healthcare and military customers. The expansion will increase the size of eMagin’s clean room by approximately 50 percent, allowing room for additional equipment that will improve manufacturing processes. This project was also made possible by federal grants awarded to eMagin totaling more than $39 million to protect and enhance its ability to manufacture at the East Fishkill facility.

“eMagin is proud to be the sole U.S. manufacturer of OLED microdisplays and we’re equally proud to call Dutchess County home, where we’ve operated for more than 25 years,” said eMagin Chief Executive Officer Andrew Sculley. “We greatly appreciate the grant funding that Central Hudson has made available, which comes at a time of expansion for eMagin and will help us to improve our vital U.S. production line, as well as secure the U.S. manufacturing jobs that we provide.”

Central Hudson’s Wireless Innovations grant provides eMagin up to $100,000 towards their expansion. In addition, the Job Creation-Attraction grant will provide a grant equal to $1,000 per job for positions in manufacturing paying more than $40,000 annually, up to $100,000. Despite economic hardship in 2020 resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, eMagin was able to not only retain all of its manufacturing workforce, but hired new employees as well. The company plans to create an additional 13 manufacturing, three research and development and two non-manufacturing jobs in 2021.

“Central Hudson has a tradition of supporting companies that are looking to invest and bring well-paying jobs to the Mid-Hudson Valley through our economic development programs,” said Anthony Campagiorni, Vice President of Customer Services and Gas Operations at Central Hudson. “The COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that a renewed focus on domestic manufacturing is critical and so we wish eMagin great success as they continue to expand their operations in East Fishkill.”

For nearly two decades, Central Hudson’s economic development programs have contributed to the creation and retention of local jobs, and helped to attract new businesses and industries throughout our region. For more information on Central Hudson’s Economic Development programs, visit www.CentralHudson.com/EconomicDevelopment.