The New York Textile Act seeks to help connect farmers who produce plant or animal fibers with the textile industry in ways that support innovation, sustainable development, and new marketing opportunities for plant and animal fibers that are grown in New York. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Oct. 13 signed the bill to support New York’s textile […]
The New York Textile Act seeks to help connect farmers who produce plant or animal fibers with the textile industry in ways that support innovation, sustainable development, and new marketing opportunities for plant and animal fibers that are grown in New York.
Gov. Kathy Hochul on Oct. 13 signed the bill to support New York’s textile manufacturing industry through economic-development programs.
These programs include expanding annual farm-recognition awards, state procurement process training for small businesses, and the Excelsior Jobs program for related New York products and processes.
By leaning into the local demand for textiles, New York grown fiber from hemp, sheep, goats, alpaca and other sources will create new opportunities for farms and textile producers.
As outlined by Hochul’s office, the legislation creates a natural-fiber textile work group that will increase the economic contributions and employment opportunities related to animal and plant-fiber agriculture and textile manufacturing in New York state.
Richard Ball, commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, will chair the work group, Hochul’s office said.
“We are proud to welcome our animal and plant fiber textile farmers to be participants of the New York State Grown & Certified program, which provides additional marketing and promotion opportunities for those who produce products to a higher standard and with an eye toward environmental sustainability,” Ball said. “Locally produced textiles, and the farmers that make them, are an important part of New York agriculture, and we look forward to supporting our producers as they grow their businesses, which will, in turn, provide a boost to the State economy and our local communities.”
Legislation breakdown
The New York Textile Act establishes “discretionary” purchase limits for public agencies to purchase animal or plant-fiber products or textile products manufactured from animal or plant fiber grown or produced predominantly in New York state.
It also amends the economic-development law to enhance existing provisions with the purpose of promoting the expansion of the animal or plant-fiber production industry, as well as fiber processing and textile manufacturing.
The new law also builds on New York’s existing Grown and Certified program to provide marketing support for the production and sale of textile products manufactured in New York from animal or plant fiber grown or produced primarily in New York state.
It also provides authorization for the Department of Economic Development to advise regarding the research and development of animal and plant fiber and fiber textile manufacturing industries and applied research.
The natural-fiber textile work group will also work to increase private investment in, and utilization of, New York state produced and processed natural fibers in all categories of textile; manufacturing including apparel, home textile products, industrial textiles, and health-care products; improve public understanding of and appreciation for natural fiber textiles; and increase export and market opportunities for New York produced natural-fiber textiles.
The legislation also establishes an annual New York animal or plant fiber and textile award “given in recognition of unusual efforts” by farmers, fiber processors, and textile manufacturers and retailers for textiles manufactured in New York from animal or plant fiber grown or produced predominantly in this state.