Mayor Adams, NYCEDC Announce Consortium to Design and Operate Cutting-Edge Climate Innovation Hub at Brooklyn Army Terminal

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator and Cambridge Innovation Center Will Anchor Approximately 200,000 Square-Foot Climate Innovation Hub in Sunset Park, Deepen Partnership Between America’s Two Largest Cities in Building Innovative Technologies

“BATWorks” New Hub Will Support 150 Startups Over 10 Years, Generate $2.6 Billion in Economic Impact, Create Over 600 Jobs, Provide Local Workforce Training and Job Placement Programs

NYCEDC Will Award $1.4 Million to South Brooklyn Industrial Development Corp. to Lead Economic Mobility Network Across Sunset Park, Connect Local Residents to Good-Paying Jobs

Announcement Bolsters Mayor Adams’ Efforts to Create a “Harbor of the Future” in New York City, Fulfills Key Commitments in “Green Economy Action Plan”

NEW YORK, NY—New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball today announced that a consortium led by the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) and the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) will design and operate “BATWorks,” a cutting-edge climate innovation hub at the Brooklyn Army Terminal (BAT) in Sunset Park. First announced in Mayor Adams’ 2023 State of the City address, the world-class BATWorks hub will provide start-ups with space for product research and development, as well as offer workforce training and job placement programming to New Yorkers. LACI—a cleantech incubator created as an independent nonprofit organization by the City of Los Angeles—will advise on climate programming and lead the “Pilots at BAT” program, where emerging climate technology companies can test their products in a live built environment. With the selection of LACI, Mayor Adams will strengthen the relationship between the nation’s two largest cities on climate innovation and help grow the climate technology landscape—ultimately driving investment, jobs, commercialization, and equitable economic opportunity in both cities. Additionally, CIC—a global leader in building and operating innovation campuses—will design work and laboratory spaces as well as programming to support innovation and attract start-ups. The awarded consortium also includes The City University of New York (CUNY), New York University (NYU), and Perkins and Will.

NYCEDC’s $100 million investment in BATWorks will help create over 600 jobs, serve 150 startups over 10 years, and generate $2.6 billion in economic impact for the city. BATWorks will continue Mayor Adams’ efforts to turn New York City’s waterfront into a “Harbor of the Future” and support entrepreneurs and leaders developing, piloting, and deploying new solutions to combat climate change. As part of today’s announcement, NYCEDC has also awarded $1.4 million to the South Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation to lead an “Economic Mobility Network” across Sunset Park, connecting local residents to good-paying jobs in innovative industries, such as life sciences and the green economy. Initial community partners in the Economic Mobility Network include: Brooklyn Workforce Innovations (BWI), Opportunities for a Better tomorrow (OBT), Solar One, Chinese American Planning Council (CPC), and Center for Family Life (CFL). BATWorks and the Economic Mobility Network represent the city’s long-term investment to advance equitable economic growth in Sunset Park.

“For hundreds of years, New York City’s waterways have powered our economy, supported working-class jobs, and transformed our city into the economic engine of the world. Our administration is writing the next chapter in the long history of these waterways, seizing that legacy and creating a ‘Harbor of the Future’ all along our coast,” said Mayor Adams. “We will create transformative technologies at Sunset Park, support hundreds of ‘green-collar’ jobs, and work across the public and private sector to build a more sustainable future for our city and our country.”

“BATWorks will be a catalyst for advancing climate innovation—attracting private investment, scaling effective technologies, and building on Sunset Park's foundation as a leader in the green economy,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrión, Jr. “Congratulations to Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator and Cambridge Innovation Center; together with NYCEDC and partners and collaborators in the community, this consortium will advance the Adams administration’s Green Economy Action Plan and Harbor of the Future strategy to spur economic growth, support startup incubation, and integrate workforce development in every aspect of programming.”

“BATWorks, a cutting-edge climate innovation hub at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, will unlock new opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs, advance new innovative climate solutions, fuel job growth, and strengthen Brooklyn’s working waterfront—all while training New Yorkers of all backgrounds for green-collar jobs,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Kimball. “NYCEDC is proud to select two outstanding operators—including one in partnership with the city of Los Angeles—to design and launch this first-of-its-kind hub and grow an innovation ecosystem that will have a global impact.”

The roughly 200,000 square-foot BATWorks hub will provide a wide range of start ups—including emerging market innovators, small- and- medium-sized companies, and growth-stage and commercialization-stage companies—with fit-for-purpose space to build products, rapidly prototype new technology, and carry out product research and development. BATWorks will also provide workforce training in green-economy jobs to New Yorkers, with a particular focus on training individuals living in Sunset Park and in the surrounding communities.

The Adams administration is partnering with LACI to bring its startup technology and business model piloting capabilities to BATWorks as well as advise on related climate innovation programs. Founded as an economic development initiative by the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power in 2011, LACI works to create an inclusive green economy; scale cleantech startups; transform emerging markets; and partner with a variety of stakeholders, including policymakers, innovators, and market leaders. LACI—which has been recognized as one of the top 10 innovative business incubators in the world by UBI—has helped over 500 portfolio companies raise more than $1 billion in funding, and generate $344 million in revenue, with a long-term economic impact of more than $733 million.

Starting in January 2026, LACI will help pilot climate technologies as part of the “Pilots at BAT” program—an innovative program where climate technologies can develop and scale their products. BATWorks will also serve as the first semi-permanent test bed, or innovation sandbox, for LACI’s City Climate Innovation Challenge outside of Los Angeles, providing start ups with a space to pilot their technologies in a live, urban environment. LACI’s Challenge currently works with nine cities and other partners—including C40, Climate Mayors, and the Rockefeller Foundation—on zero emissions delivery innovation, using models developed in Los Angeles and Pittsburgh. LACI’s programming at BATWorks will also create equitable workforce pathways for New Yorkers to access ‘green-collar’ jobs and establish business development services, helping both startups and incumbent climate innovation businesses navigate regulations and reach commercialization.

The Adams administration will also partner with CIC, an expert in building and operating flexible workspace. Founded in 1999, CIC manages 1.5 million square feet of innovation-focused workspace, laboratories, and event space across North America, Europe, and Asia where startups, scale-ups, corporations, and public entities can connect, work, and grow. Additionally, CIC develops bespoke programming, builds and enables industry clusters, and provides world-class district consulting—all focused on advancing innovation. Finally, CIC hosts events and programming that align with the mission of BATWorks, support innovation, and attract top entrepreneurs, startups, and enterprises.

CIC will partner with the city to design the work and lab space as well as provide day-to-day management and operations of BATWorks, which will include cutting-edge facilities like prototyping labs and specialized testing platforms.

The awarded consortium—led by LACI and CIC—also includes CUNY, NYU—including the Urban Future Lab at NYU Tandon—and Perkins and Will. CUNY and NYU will both deliver programming at BAT, including tie-ins with startup services, workforce development programs, K-12 programs for New Yorkers from all backgrounds, and tech transfer to build a bridge between academic research and commercial industries. Perkins and Will will co-envision and design the co-working space and incubation facilities, as well as lab prototyping facilities and trial assembly facilities.

BAT, as a whole, is home to over 100 tenants that collectively employ 4,000 New Yorkers. NYCEDC has invested $519 million in the site to date—with more than $300 million of that investment currently in the pipeline—to bring new leasable space online as well as improve open space, common areas, and campus infrastructure. Last December, the Adams administration, UPROSE, and Working Power announced the development of Sunset Park Solar to bring clean, reliable, and affordable solar energy to Sunset Park residents and businesses. The 725 kilowatt (kW) solar array at BAT will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, alleviate energy burdens, and protect low-income households from energy price fluctuations. Currently under construction, the project will deliver $1.24 million in energy bill savings to approximately 150 households over its lifetime.

BATWorks is a crucial part of the larger Harbor Climate Collaborative—a joint initiative between NYCEDC, the Trust for Governors Island, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation—to link together tech piloting, tenanting, and programming opportunities across all three organizations and promote climate innovation. By unlocking 6 million square feet of space, the Collaborative will support the creation of 5,000 permanent jobs, educate and train 2,100 students, and generate $55 billion in economic impact. In addition to the $100 million available for BATWorks, the Adams administration and NYCEDC are also transforming the nearby city-owned South Brooklyn Marine Terminal into one of the largest offshore wind port facilities in the nation, which broke ground in 2024.

Today’s announcement builds on the Adams administration’s broader strategy to develop the Harbor of the Future—a reimagined network of innovation and growth across New York City’s waterways. The Harbor of the Future includes emerging innovation centers at the Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx, the country’s largest offshore wind port at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, a modern maritime port and vibrant mixed-use community hub at the Brooklyn Marine Terminal in Red Hook, the Science Park and Research Campus in Kips Bay in Manhattan, new sustainable housing and public space on the North Shore of Staten Island, and an anchor research and educational partner with the New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island. Additionally, today’s announcement fulfills a key commitment in Mayor Adams’ “Green Economy Action Plan,” a first-of-its-kind plan that lays out a roadmap to growing the city’s green economy, invests in jobs and sectors that help the city combat climate change, and positions New Yorkers to benefit from the nearly 400,000 projected green-collar jobs in New York City by 2040.

“Growing the city’s green economy won’t happen overnight, but when we find entry points for those who are outside of city government to participate, that’s the sort of innovation and private sector involvement we need to deliver on our promises,” said Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Executive Director Elijah Hutchinson. “As we saw with the recent wildfires, Los Angeles knows all too well how climate change is influencing the weather, and we look forward to working with them on creating the green job opportunities that are desperately needed from coast to coast.”

“Today's announcement is an important step toward growing New York City's green economy and ensuring its promise translates into a workforce that is more inclusive, economically mobile, and representative of the City's diversity,” said Doug Lipari, Acting Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Talent and Workforce Development. “These investments will help position New Yorkers living in the surrounding communities of Brooklyn Army Terminal with the skills and experiences that are critical to access the family-sustaining careers that will lead our adaptation to climate change.”

“BATWorks represents the future of climate leadership in New York City. By investing in bold, community-centered innovation, we’re not only accelerating the development of new technologies—we're also fostering homegrown talent and opening pathways to family-sustaining careers,” said NYC Chief Climate Officer and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “This cutting-edge hub will drive real climate solutions, helping us build a more resilient city and advance a more equitable economy. I’m proud to support this next chapter in our city’s transformation toward a greener, cleaner future.”

“This news just underscores the fact that the Brooklyn Army Terminal is the epicenter of innovation and forward-thinking climate tech here in New York,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “The local entrepreneurs and technologists at BATWorks will take on the toughest challenge of our time: combatting the effects of climate change and building a robust green economy that works for all New Yorkers. The workforce programming, in particular, represents a unique opportunity for the Sunset Park community to participate in that green economy, and to build a better future for themselves and their families. Thanks to NYCEDC for pushing this important initiative forward.”

“Today's announcement is an important step toward growing New York City's green economy and ensuring its promise translates into a workforce that is more inclusive, economically mobile, and representative of the city's diversity,” said Doug Lipari, Acting Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Talent and Workforce Development. “These investments will help position New Yorkers living in the surrounding communities of Brooklyn Army Terminal with the skills and experiences that are critical to access the family-sustaining careers that will lead our adaptation to climate change.”

“The Climate Innovation Hub at the Brooklyn Army Terminal is the type of investment Brooklyn needs, bringing in opportunities for job growth to Sunset Park,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “This new hub will not only be a gateway to New York City’s growing green economy but will also serve as a catalyst for protecting our vulnerable communities susceptible to climate change. I am thankful to the NYC Economic Development Corporation for leading this work to ensure we have a more sustainable city for New Yorkers.”

“We are excited to partner with NYCEDC at BATWorks to extend the unique cleantech innovation model LACI has developed with the City of Los Angeles,” said Matt Petersen, president and CEO, LACI. “By giving LACI entrepreneurs with their game changing solutions access to piloting at BAT along with deepening our existing partnership with NYC via our City Climate Innovation Challenge, we are further bringing together America's two largest cities to drive innovation. Doing so helps manifest the potential shown by LACI's research with C40--that by inviting climate innovation and scaling what works, cities can further reduce GHGs by 35% and create a potential $5 trillion market globally.”

“We are proud to partner with NYCEDC and LACI to establish BATWorks, a new climate innovation hub in New York City, combining flexible office and lab space with curated programming and global connectivity,” said CIC Founder Tim Rowe. “With its world-class research institutions and talent from across industries, New York City is the prime location for advancing solutions to the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Together, we aim to create a hub where bold ideas become scalable climate solutions.”

“New York University, including NYU Tandon and its Urban Future Lab and Sustainable Engineering Initiative, is delighted to be a part of the BATWorks consortium alongside LACI, CIC, CUNY and others,” said Juan de Pablo, Executive Vice President for Global Science and Technology at NYU and the Executive Dean of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering. “BATWorks fills a gap in the local climate innovation ecosystem and will drive innovation, commercial activity, and workforce development, complementing other resources in the region and making New York City a hub for climate tech.”

“The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, through its active energy, tech and real estate committees, looks forward to working with the climate innovation hub to bring innovative solutions to the address our most pressing environmental needs. This investment will position our borough as a national leader in climate solutions, drive economic growth, support startups and ensure that local residents benefit from the green jobs and opportunities it creates,” said Randy Peers, President and CEO Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

“Congratulations to LACI, Cambridge Innovation Center, and NYCEDC for this significant investment in NYC's green economy,” said Clare Newman, President and CEO of the Trust for Governors Island. “Addressing climate change demands a big-tent approach to solution making. We're excited to welcome BATWorks to New York's growing climate innovation community, alongside the New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island, and look forward to future partnerships.”

“We are excited to welcome BATWorks, led by Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator and Cambridge Innovation Center, to the Brooklyn waterfront to continue the momentum and economic development activity that we have collectively catalyzed with the Harbor of the Future and Harbor Climate Collaborative program work between the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Governors Island and the Brooklyn Army Terminal,” said Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation President and CEO Lindsay Greene. “It is great to have this consortium leading efforts to energize the Brooklyn Army Terminal as another engine of economic opportunity to New York City that will deliver good-paying green jobs and support clean tech companies. Congratulations to NYCEDC on this step towards accelerating commercialization pathways for green economy businesses through this team’s expertise in scaling climate solutions and fostering inclusive innovation.”

“New York City continues to lead the charge in identifying the building blocks that will deliver collaborative climate solutions and create the jobs to help us implement them,” said Stephen Hammer, CEO, The New York Climate Exchange. “We’re excited that our strengths—a world-class research, education, and convening space on Governors Island—can feed the new manufacturing and entrepreneurship capacity being deployed at the Climate Innovation Hub at the Brooklyn Army Terminal.”

“BATWorks is a powerful example of how investing in infrastructure and local workforce development can foster innovation while addressing one of the biggest challenges of our time,” said Maria Gotsch, President and CEO of the Partnership Fund for New York City. “By creating a launchpad for climate startups in Sunset Park, this initiative will ensure that the benefits of a green economy—a more resilient waterfront, cleaner air, new jobs and long-term opportunity—are felt by the communities that need them most. New York City's future depends on these types of investment and partnerships.”

“BATWorks will transform the Brooklyn Army Terminal and bring a new economic engine to this historic location, enhancing New York's ability to develop innovative technologies as well as the research, manufacturing, and workforce that support them,” said Robert Clemens, managing director, Perkins & Will. “Perkins & Will is proud to partner with EDC to design for the organizations that will drive innovation here. Our approach to these types of projects celebrates the context of the building's past, while co-creating spaces that contribute to the growth of neighboring communities, and the city as a whole.”

“It’s great to be part of BAT—initiatives like this create real opportunities for startups,” said Carles Civit, director of engineering, Pliant Energy Systems. “Pilots at BAT is an especially exciting program because it opens access to the waterfront, which will be transformative not just for understanding New York’s littoral ecosystems, but for advancing the marine robotics field in a meaningful way.”

“The newly formed consortium emphasizes the need for research into clean energy infrastructure to combat climate change, which will in turn spur workforce development opportunities in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, and beyond,” said Dr. Rosemarie Wesson, CUNY associate vice chancellor and university vice provost for research. “CUNY is pleased to contribute to this crucial partnership, which will offer new ways of getting technology into the market, help commercialization-stage startups to improve their viability and prepare New Yorkers to compete for and obtain these vital green jobs.”

“Collaboration across sectors is critical to solving our climate crisis,” said Daniel Zarrilli, chief climate and sustainability officer, Columbia University. “Columbia University is pleased to support BATWorks through its engagement with Columbia Technology Ventures and the ClimateTech Expertise Network. With a focus on startup incubation, support for underrepresented founders, and inclusive green jobs, we are excited to help BATWorks pilot the next generation of technology and policy innovations in support of New York City’s climate leadership here in the region and across the globe. This effort is a great example of how Columbia is embedding climate action and sustainability excellence into every aspect of our work.”

“Sunset Park is where our story began, and it continues to be the heart of our mission,” said Evelyn Ortiz & Greg Rideout, co-CEO's, Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow. “Being part of the BATWorks workforce development partnership will build a lasting legacy for this community by ensuring that local residents are prepared for and prioritized in the growing green economy.”

“On behalf of Climate Mayors, we applaud New York City's investment in BATWorks to advance climate innovation,” said Kate Wright, executive director, Climate Mayors. “As partners with LACI in the City Climate Innovation Challenge on zero emissions delivery, which supports nine member cities including LA and NYC, we have seen the importance of supporting local innovation and look forward to scaling what works to our network of nearly 350 mayors across the nation.”

“A primary focus of our programming is to prepare New Yorkers for the green economy,” said Stephen Levin, CEO of Solar One. “The workforce development partnership at BATWorks is a chance for us to work alongside peer organizations to envision a leading-edge facility that helps deliver on the promise of NYC's Green Economy Action Plan.”

“Our journey to market began with a pivotal customer pilot made possible through LACI’s support,” said Kameale Terry, co-Founder and CEO, ChargerHelp! “That early opportunity allowed us to validate our solution in the field and deliver real value to a customer from day one. As a LACI startup that’s now scaled nationwide, we’re proud to partner with BATWorks to help prepare the EV charging industry for the next generation of smart, tech-enabled jobs—like EVSE technicians—that are essential to building and maintaining the future of clean transportation in Sunset Park and beyond.”

“As Sunset Park becomes a hub for climate resilience and green industry, our role is to create training pathways to ensure that local talent fuels that future,” said Aaron Shiffman, executive director, Brooklyn Workforce Innovations. “Through these coalitions, we're building bridges between opportunity and community, so that the jobs of tomorrow go to the people who call this neighborhood home today.”

“The Stak team applauds New York City's leadership for launching the Climate Innovation Hub,” said Diallo Powell, co-founder and CEO, STAK Mobility. “This visionary initiative creates a powerful ecosystem where innovation meets opportunity, nurturing Brooklyn's next generation of climate and hardtech entrepreneurs. Having directly benefited from similar EDC and LACI programs, we've witnessed firsthand how these targeted investments transform bold ideas into impactful solutions for our shared climate challenge.”

“As a core partner in establishing LACI and one of the organization’s proudest backers, we are delighted to see the powerful model we have created together further extend its profound impact to New York City,” said Janisse Quiñones, CEO and chief engineer, LADWP. “As we search for the next innovation in creating a more resilient and cleaner grid, we are excited how this partnership will attract more cutting edge startup solutions to Los Angeles.”

“This undertaking helps not only showcase LACI’s unique model with Los Angeles, it builds our national leadership in helping cities and founders work together to advance climate innovation that benefits all communities,” said Jim Casselberry, CEO of Known and Board Chair, LACI. “For the climate investing community, it’s a huge plus for capital allocation when technologies get vetted in the two largest cities in the nation.”

“The solutions and innovations that will be developed at New York City's BATWorks are essential to creating a better future,” said Kate Johnson, regional director, North America, C40 Cities. “As the climate crisis increasingly harms communities across the globe, C40 is proud to build on our strong partnership with Los Angeles, New York City, and LACI. Together we will ensure the technologies and policies fostered at the Brooklyn Army Terminal reach cities and improve lives across the world.”

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. To learn more about what we do, visit us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.