New research center for agriculture, food & biotech fields could lead to 880 new jobs

Governor George E. Pataki today announced a three-phase plan establishing the Cornell Agriculture & Food Technology Park in Geneva, which will create 200 new science and research jobs during the next three years in the agriculture, food and biotech fields. The 200 new jobs will pay an average salary of $50,000 and when fully implemented the project is expected to create up to 880 new jobs in Ontario County.

"The Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park is an outstanding eample 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.

"These new research and science jobs are exactly the kind of opportunities that will keep our college
graduates right here in New York and I want to thank Cornell University for strengthening their academic and economic commitments to Upstate."

Today'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.

Construction for the first phase-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, a 74-acre site for start-up and established companies to perform research in the agriculture, food and biotechnology fields.

U.S. Representative Thomas M. Reynolds, who has secured $895,000 in federal funding for the project,
said, "The Ag and Food Tech Park will make our area a world leader in horticultural, biotech and food
science research-creating hundreds of new jobs in our community. Through a continued strong partnership with federal, state and local governments, academia and the private sector, this project will have a major impact on residents of Ontario County and across the region." State Senator Michael F. Nozzolio said, "After years of hard work, starts and stops, it is extremely gratifying to stand here today as the Geneva Ag and Food Tech Park is finally a reality. Truly, this Park will create hundreds of new jobs and it is a fact to say that this exciting project would not have happened without the leadership and vision of Governor Pataki." Assemblyman Brian Kolb said, "The creation of new jobs in Geneva will help continue the Finger lakes region's economic growth.. Due to Governor Pataki's leadership, the investment in the Ag Park will ensure that New York remains a leader in agriculture, development and production."

Park President Dr. James Hunter said, "Thanks to the policies and positive attitudes of the Governor and others we have worked with in New York State government, Cornell can expand its proud tradition of research and technology transfer in the ever increasingly important fields of agriculture, food and
biotechnology. The Governor's support is the base upon which we have been able to leverage federal and private funding for the Park."

Donald Cass, Mayor, City of Geneva said, "This is another great example of the continued growth between the City of Geneva and the State of New York, which has resulted in the renaissance in Geneva On behalf of the citizens of the City we thank Governor George Pataki."

Donald Ninestine, Chair, Ontario County Board of Supervisors, said, "We welcome Governor George
Pataki to the future Ag and Food Tech park. We appreciate the support for this important project. The Tech Park will not only provide new jobs for our area but will be a boon for the area farmers."

Empire State Development Chairman Charles A. Gargano said, "Thanks to Governor Pataki's leadership, government and academia are partnering together to do what's right for our economy. During the next three years, 200 new jobs paying salaries averaging $50,000 will be created at the Park. We hope to bring even more high-paying jobs here as New York builds its strength in the agriculture, food and biotech fields."

The Park, which will be located at Pre-Emption Road in Geneva in Ontario County, is situated adjacent to the New York State Agriculture 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. According to a market feasibility study commissioned by Cornell, the completed Park could create 880 new jobs in the agriculture, food and biotech fields.

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 ESD. The ESD grant is expected to leverage $448,000 in federal support.

March 21, 2002

Governor Pataki affirms commitment to Cornell Research Park at Geneva

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 21st 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. 11th 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 Experiment Station 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. As a New York State institution, we have a commitment to keep businesses strong and innovative, and make the state a leader in the fields we serve." Station director James E. Hunter, who is president of the Cornell Ag & Food Technology Park Corporation, was not able to attend the press conference. He 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 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.