Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed a piece of legislation to support US state New York’s textile industry through economic development programmes. These programmes include expanding annual farm recognition awards, state procurement process training for small businesses and the Excelsior Jobs programme for related New York products and processes.

“We are spooling together strong investments in textiles grown and manufactured in New York, helping ensure our businesses remain strong and innovative,” Governor Hochul said.

Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed a piece of legislation to support US state New York’s textile industry through economic development programmes. These programmes include expanding annual farm recognition awards, state procurement process training for small businesses and the Excelsior Jobs programme for related New York products and processes.

“I am proud to sign this legislation, which will support New York farmers and lay the foundation for expanding the burgeoning textile industries that call this state home, helping spur economic growth for decades to come,” she said in a statement.

The legislation, the New York Textile Act, will help connect farmers who produce plant or animal fibres with the textile industry in ways that support innovation, sustainable development, and new marketing opportunities for plant and animal fibres that are grown in New York.

By leaning into the local demand for textiles, New York-grown fibre from hemp, sheep, goats, alpaca and other sources will create new opportunities for farms and textile producers, the statement from her office said.

The Act specifically establishes discretionary purchase limits for public agencies to purchase animal or plant fibre products or textile products manufactured from animal or plant fibre grown or produced predominantly in New York State.

It establishes an annual New York animal or plant fibre and textile award given in recognition of unusual efforts by farmers, fibre processors, and textile manufacturers and retailers for textiles manufactured in state.

It amends the economic development law to enhance existing provisions with the purpose of for promoting the expansion of the animal or plant fibre production industry, as well as fibre processing and textile manufacturing.

It builds on New York’s existing Grown and Certified programme to provide marketing support for the production and sale of textile products.

It povides authorisation for the department of economic development to advise regarding research and development and creates a Natural Fiber Textile Workgroup to increase the economic contributions and employment opportunities  related to animal and plant fibre agriculture and textile manufacturing in the state and raise private investment in the sector.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)