NYSAES | Pubs | Press | Governor Pataki Affirms Commitment to Research Park at Geneva

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2002
Contact: Linda McCandless, 315-787-2417, llm3@cornell.edu

Governor Pataki Affirms Commitment to Research Park at Geneva
By Linda McCandless

GENEVA, NY: Governor George E. Pataki announced a three-phase plan establishing the Cornell Agriculture & Food Technology Park in Geneva during a press conference held at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva on Wednesday, March 20.

"The Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park is an outstanding example of government and higher education working together to create new jobs for our economy," Governor Pataki said. "This investment will help ensure that that emerging agriculture, food and biotech industries continue to ‘grow’ right here in Upstate New York."

The Governor wants to redouble efforts to create jobs Upstate. "We are looking for partnerships not only between government and the private sector, but also with our university and college system to create a three-legged stool where we have the ability to attract the investment, the entrepreneurs and the risk-takers to create the jobs of the 21^st century," he said. The research park will "combine the strength of New York government with the strength of Cornell and the entrepreneurial spirit of the people of Geneva and Ontario County."

The Park will create 200 new science and research jobs during the next three years in the agriculture, food and biotech fields. When fully implemented, the project could "create up to 880 new jobs in Ontario County," according to the Governor.

Wednesday’s announcement follows legislation signed by the Governor in November 2001 allowing SUNY to transfer 74 acres of land to Cornell University for development of the Park in exchange for an equivalent amount of nearby farmland. Pataki had wanted to come to the Park site in November, but couldn’t because of other commitments, including many related to the Sept. 11^th terrorist attacks.

Construction for the first phase of the park–including roads, utilities and site development–will begin by summer and lead to the construction of a 20,000 square-foot incubator building. This phase is a $7.472 million investment and will be followed by a 30,000 square-foot multi-tenant research facility. An estimated $75 million investment will lead to the full build-out of the Park.

The Park, which will be located at Pre-Emption Road in Geneva in Ontario County, will be situated adjacent to the Experiment Station.

The finished Park project will include approximately 375,000 square feet of new building space constructed by private businesses and government agencies that will want to locate in the Park to take advantage of the research and development expertise at Cornell and in the region. Complete build-out of the Park will take 15 years.

"The Station is a 120-year-old institution with a mission to serve, enhance, and expand the agriculture and food businesses in New York," said associate director Bob Seem. "As part of the state university system (SUNY), we have an educational mission. As part of the land-grant colleges of Cornell University, we have a research and extension mission. But, as a New York State institution, we also have a commitment to keep businesses strong and innovative, and make the state a leader in the fields we serve."

Station director Jim Hunter, who was not able to attend the press conference, said, "The Governor’s support is the base upon which we have been able to leverage federal and private funding for the Park."

In consideration of its commitment to New York State’s economic future, the Park is eligible to apply for a $298,800 capital grant from the Empire State Development (ESD) fund which could trigger $448,000 in federal support. U.S. Representative Thomas M. Reynolds, has already secured $895,000 in federal funding for the project.