CenterState CEO Recognized as a Bank of America 2025 Neighborhood Builder

Posted On
November 2, 2025

Image
BofA Neighborhood Builder Grant

Bank of America awarded CenterState CEO $50,000 to support its regional housing strategies through the financial institution’s Neighborhood Builder program. The program is an investment in nonprofits and their leadership, providing a two-year leadership training in addition to grant funds. Since 2004, Bank of America has invested more than $346 million in grants to nearly 2,000 nonprofits and helped more than 4,000 nonprofit leaders strengthen their leadership skills. 

“CenterState CEO is honored to be recognized as one of Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builders this year,” said CenterState CEO President and CEO Rob Simpson. “Bank of America’s commitment to strengthening nonprofit leadership and advancing strategic community initiatives will create real impact in Central New York. This award allows CenterState CEO to remain focused on addressing the housing challenges the region is currently facing and the ones that are expected in the future.” 

Given the scale of talent needed to fulfill Micron’s plans in Central New York and the region's existing housing shortage, it’s imperative to prioritize housing development to ensure sustainable growth. The grant funding will help CenterState CEO continue its support of regional housing development, with a focus on workforce housing. As a part of these efforts, CenterState CEO will convene its Regional Housing Work Group, a collaborative body comprised developers, contractors, architectural firms and community housing organizations as well as support Central New York’s market development, provide direct assistance to public and private partners, and develop new sources of capital for priority projects.     

With the support from Bank of America’s Neighborhood Builder program, CenterState will attend national housing conferences, provide market research on housing and leverage its network to connect with new sources of capital. CenterState CEO will work with its members and partners to increase access to housing for Central New York residents, with a focus on workforce housing in higher-density, mixed-use developments. Additionally, CenterState CEO will continue to align workforce housing strategies with regional economic development initiatives to ensure continued focus on housing policy across the region. 

CenterState CEO extends its gratitude to Bank of America for its support of these vital initiatives that support whole community growth.  

Other
CEO News

Image
Board of Directors 2026-2029
CEO News | 04/23/2026

CenterState CEO Announces 2026 Annual Elections to its Board of Directors

Following the 2026 Annual Meeting of its members, CenterState CEO has announced new and returning members to serve on the Board of Directors.

Image
Rob Simpson at CenterState CEO's 2026 Annual Meeting
CEO News | 04/23/2026

Read President Rob M. Simpson's 2026 Annual Meeting Remarks

CenterState CEO President Rob M. Simpson delivered the following remarks at the 2026Annual Meeting

Image
CenterState CEO 2026 Annual Meeting
CEO News | 04/22/2026

Micron’s Expansion Powers Urgency and Optimism at CenterState CEO’s 2026 Annual Meeting

CenterState CEO celebrated its 2026 Annual Meeting with more than 800 members of the business community at the Oncenter in downtown Syracuse. The event’s theme Vision to Velocity highlights a bold new chapter for Central New York’s…

Image
Business of the Year Congratulations
CEO News | 04/20/2026

Meet the 2026 Business of the Year Winners

CenterState CEO's Business of the Year Awards recognize the outstanding achievements of regional businesses and organizations in five categories.

Image
Kent Syverud Graphic
CEO News | 04/15/2026

CenterState CEO Shares Statement Following Kent Syverud's Cancer Diagnosis

CenterState CEO Chief Executive Officer Rob Simpson shared a statement of support following Kent Syverud's cancer diagnosis.

Image
CenterState Signal Graphic
CEO News | 03/31/2026

CenterState Signal: The Central New York Economy May Never Look Like This Again

CenterState Signal is a quarterly column by CenterState CEO's Jared Shepard that takes a closer look at economic trends and their impact on the regional economy.

Image
Micron CIF Announcement
CEO News | 03/27/2026

Micron Announces New Investments in Central New York Community

Micron joins Empire State Development to announce Central New York community investment funding.

Image
Minority Business Study Graphic
CEO News | 03/25/2026

Oswego County- Focused Minority Business Support Study Shares Ways to Strengthen Inclusive Growth

Oswego Minority Business Needs Study to share critical steps toward expanding opportunity in Oswego County.

Image
Rob Speaks at Gov. Hochul Rally
CEO News | 03/25/2026

Gov. Hochul Rallies With Upstate Leaders to Deliver State Budget Agenda

Gov. Kathy Hochul visited Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse to share her State Budget agenda with community leaders and elected officials.