The “New York Textile Act” (A.9649-A/S.8741-A) a bill written and sponsored by Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner and Senator Michelle Hinchey passed the New York State Assembly and Senate and awaits the governor’s signature.

The bill would enact provisions into state law that provide recognition and incentives to encourage, support, and reward the production and manufacture of textiles from New York grown, harvested, and processed animal or plant fibers.

“Historically, New York was a leading textile producing state,” said Carrie Woerner, “this bill recognizes the positive economic and environmental impacts and the limitless potential of the animal and plant fiber textile industry in our state. This bill supports and expands all aspects of turning animal and plant fiber into quality textiles and will help existing programs like the Hudson Valley Textile Project that is already rebuilding New York’s textile industry.From tax credits and inclusion in the marketing of state products, to training that can lead to state procurement contracts this bill recognizes the potential of a strong and comprehensive textile manufacturing industry in this state. I am especially excited about establishing an annual award in recognition of unusual efforts by those in any aspect of plant or animal fiber textile manufacturing. New Yorkers embrace challenges and I know we will see fantastic innovations with this incentive.”

Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “New York’s growing network of small fiber producers are innovating every day in the farm-to-fabric space. Our bill, The New York Textile Act, provides a tremendous opportunity to elevate the visibility of their work, expand support for these small businesses, and revitalize New York's homegrown textile industry into a leading manufacturing sector that's good for our economy and our fight against the climate crisis. I’m proud to sponsor this industry-generating legislation with Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner and I look forward to the governor signing our bill into law.”

In addition to economic benefits, animal and plant fiber farming supports New York's climate goals. By its nature, fiber farming sequesters carbon and as fiber mill production capacity has grown in eastern upstate New York, the number of acres devoted to animal and plant fiber farming has grown.

Laura Sansone, founder of, and designer with the New York Textile Lab whose mission is to connect designers to fiber producers and mills to help grow an economically diverse textile supply ecosystem said “The New York Textile Act will benefit the work we have underway to grow our Carbon Farm Network, which is an interconnected group of designers and farmers who are working together to develop Climate Beneficial™ yarns and textile products. We are developing these products using milling facilities throughout NYS, creating an ecosystem for these regional farms, independent designers and small to mid-scale manufacturers to flourish. The future of our textile industry depends on us working together in regional networks to help to mitigate the impact our textile production has on climate change and to cultivate a diversified economy.”

Lily Marsh, weaver and owner of Lily Marsh Studios said "Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner has been incredibly helpful in getting New York State's fiber producers, processors, and textile makers the assistance to renew this industry in our region, providing jobs and an economic boost to multiple communities, including agriculture, art, and design, small batch manufacturing, and fiber processing.It is an exciting step forward."

“The passage of the NY Textile Act will provide crucial support to sustain the growing fiber supply chain throughout New York State,” said Gail D. Parrinello, president and co-founder of the Hudson Valley Textile Project, Inc. “These few words cannot express how happy I am and how appreciative we all are for the hard work put into this bill.”

Mary Jeanne Packer, founder and president of Battenkill Fibers Carding & Spinning Mill in Greenwich, NY said, "The New York Textile Act is so important in supporting the expansion of a viable farm-to-fabric supply chain here in NYS. It will provide our industry with much needed assistance to identify and establish skills, businesses, and services that are lacking in our network such as large-scale wool scouring capabilities and commercial fiber and yarn dyeing services. Assembly Member Woerner’s leadership and support for this new effort is greatly appreciated; and will result in revitalizing not only our region’s family-owned farms and fiber-related agri-businesses, but also those in all parts of the state.”