U.S. Rep. Reynolds requests funding for new technology park

New York Congressman Thomas M. Reynolds, left, tours the site for the proposed Agriculture and Food Technology Park at Cornell's Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva April 17. Richard Durst, right, Cornell professor and chair of the Department of Food Science and Technology at Geneva, explains how research in the station's Fruit and Vegetable Processing Pilot Plant helps New York state entrepreneurs add value to their agricultural products. R.Way/NYSAES/Cornell

By Linda McCandless

New York Congressman Thomas M. Reynolds (R-27th Dist.) was joined by officials from the city of Geneva, Ontario County and Cornell on April 17 for a briefing and a tour of the site for Cornell's proposed Agriculture and Food Technology Park at the university's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva. During the briefing, Reynolds announced his request for Congress to include $2.75 million in 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 agribusiness companies, universities and scientific associations."

The proposed 78-acre research park, adjacent to the Agricultural 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 multi-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."

James E. Hunter, director of the Experiment Station, stressed that, in addition to adding jobs and increasing the tax base, 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 the 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," Hunter said.

The Ontario County congressman was joined on the tour by a number of officials, including: Geneva Mayor Donald Cass; Ontario County Board of Supervisors chair 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; Henrik N. Dullea, Cornell vice president for university relations; and Michael P. Voiland, Cornell assistant director of government affairs.

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., the Empire State Development Corp. and the State University Construction Fund.

"We are extremely fortunate to be able to count Congressman Reynolds among our supporters," said Hunter. "His previous experience as a New York assemblyman will be invaluable to us as we move forward."

Prior to his election to Congress in 1998, Reynolds served 10 years in the state Assembly, representing the 147th District.

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 state Sen. Michael Nozzolio (R-53rd Dist.) and assemblymen William Magee (D-111th Dist.), Martin Luster (D-125th Dist.), David Koon (D/I-135th Dist.) and Joseph Morelle (D-132nd Dist.).

Nozzolio has said he is making a special effort in this legislative session to secure approval in both houses to convey the land with a long-term lease from the state to a nonprofit 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 Experiment Station in March.