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April 20 , 2000
CONTACT: Linda McCandless, llm3@cornell.edu, 315-787-2417
by Linda McCandless
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Suggested caption: Congressman Thomas M. Reynolds (left) toured the site for the proposed Ag & Food Tech Park at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station on Monday, April 17. Food Science & Technology chairman Richard Durst (right) explained how research in the Station's Fruit and Vegetable Processing Pilot Plant helps New York state entrepreneurs add value to their agricultural products. CREDIT: R.Way/NYSAES/Cornell |
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Reynolds Requests $2.75 Million for the Ag & Food Tech Park
GENEVA, NY: U.S. Representative Thomas M. Reynolds ( R-27th District) was joined by officials from the City of Geneva and Ontario County on Monday, April 17, for a briefing and a tour of the site for Cornell University's proposed Ag & Food Tech Park at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY. During the meeting, he announced his request for Congress to include $2.75 million in funds from the 2001 federal budget to help fund the project.
"This is an ambitious project that will make the area a world leader in horticultural, biotech and food science research," Reynolds said. "By fostering the creation, retention and expansion of agriculture, food and biotechnology businesses, I'm confident that the Geneva Station will succeed in attracting agri-business companies, universities and scientific associations."
The proposed 78-acre research park adjacent to the Experiment Station will provide incubator space for entrepreneurs, multi-tenant buildings for small companies, and land for well-established companies to build their own research buildings. Companies in the park will carry out research in agriculture, food and biotechnology that complements the research and extension programs of the 800-acre station. In addition to the basic infrastructure, the proposed facilities for the park include a $2.5 million incubator research building, a $1.13 million greenhouse, and a $2.8 million mu.lti-tenant building. Development is planned in three phases with build-out for the first two phases expected to take three years.
"An agricultural and technology park is a major economic development initiative, and I believe it merits federal support," said Reynolds, noting that the Agricultural Experiment Station has earned federal and state support in the past. "Not only does this park promise advances in agricultural science and biotechnology research, but its success will mean hundreds of jobs in the area."
In addition to adding jobs and increasing the tax base, James E. Hunter, director of the Experiment Station, stressed that the partnership between the Station and firms in the park seeking commercial application of scientific discoveries and biotechnology related to agriculture and food products will enhance the long-term viability of the Station. He added that successful development depends on a strong partnership between Cornell and local state and federal governments. "That's why Congressman Reynolds' request for $2.75 million of federal funds to help develop the infrastructure for the park is great news," said Hunter.
Ontario County's Congressman was joined on the tour by Geneva Mayor Donald Cass; Ontario County Board of Supervisor's Chairman Donald Ninestine; County Administrator Geoff Astles; Mike Manikowski, Executive Director of the Ontario County Industrial Development Agency; Valerie Bassett, Economic Development Zone Specialist in the City of Geneva's Planning and Economic Development department; Cornell Vice President for University Relations Henrik Dullea; and a number of other officials.
The project is a partnership between Cornell, the City of Geneva and Geneva IDA, Ontario County IDA, Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce and Geneva Growth, Inc., Empire State Development Corporation, SUNY-State University Construction Fund, and representatives from the New York State Assembly and Senate.
"We are extremely fortunate to be able to count Congressman Reynolds among our supporters," said Hunter. "His previous experience as a New York assemblymen will be invaluable to us as we move forward."
Prior to his election to Congress in 1998, Reynolds served 10 years in the New York State Assembly, rising to the position of Assembly Republican Leader from 1995-98.
Legislation needed to authorize use of the state land for the Ag & Food Tech Park is being sponsored by a number of New York legislators, including Senator Michael Nozzolio (R-53rd District), Assemblyman William Magee (D-111th District), Martin Luster (D-125th District), David Koon (D/I-135th District), and Joseph Morelle (D-132nd District).
Nozzolio is making a special effort in this legislative session to secure legislative approval in both houses to convey the land with a long-term lease from the state to a non-profit entity to develop and manage the park, as well as attempting to obtain funds for the infrastructure of the park.
"The establishment of an Agriculture and Food Technology Park at Geneva's Experiment Station will make Geneva a magnet for hundreds of new high-paying biotechnology jobs, and a catalyst for additional economic growth in the Finger Lakes Region," said Nozzolio during a visit to the Station in March.
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