$2.7 million for CU grape genetics lab is written into appropriations bill

By Linda McCandless

GENEVA, N.Y. -- U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.-22nd Dist.) has earmarked $2.7 million in federal funds for the design and site preparation of the Grape Genetics Research Center and Laboratory at Cornell's Agriculture and Food Technology Park in Geneva. The funding was included in the Agriculture Subcommittee's Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2004 that appropriates funds for the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies.

"This is encouraging news," said James E. Hunter, director of Cornell's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, which is a partner in the Ag and Food Tech Park project. "Cool climate viticulture is in a rapid expansion mode in the U.S. The grape and wine industry has a growing demand for new varieties and technologies in order to be a player in the global marketplace. This center will help meet that demand."

If appropriated, the money would pay for design and preparation of a building that is estimated to cost $20 million. It would be situated at the 74-acre park, adjacent to the Experiment Station, where start-up and established companies in the agriculture, food, biotechnology and related industries are expected to locate.

Hunter expects a strong synergistic relationship between park tenants, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Grape Genetics Research Center and Cornell researchers. The USDA Agricultural Research Service already has a strong presence at the Experiment Station through its Plant Genetics Resource Unit. The PGRU, as it is called, is responsible for the national program in grape rootstock breeding as well as the collection and maintenance of the only cool climate grape germplasm collection in the United States. The PGRU also has close ties with 10 Cornell faculty at the Experiment Station who maintain research programs in grape breeding, cultivation, crop protection and wine making.

Funding for the bill is not guaranteed -- it still needs to be voted on by the full Appropriations Committee, the full House, the Senate and signed by the president.

"We appreciate the leadership that Congressman Hinchey showed in garnering unified support for the bill from the New York delegation," said the Experiment Station's assistant director, Marc Smith. "We believe the center will benefit the New York wine and grape industry from Long Island to Chautauqua."

"I am very pleased that we earmarked these funds, and I will continue to work to shepherd the funding through the rest of the process," said Hinchey, who is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which helps write the 13 discretionary spending bills that Congress must pass each year.

If approved, the money would be the second park appropriation-related announcement this month. Last week, U.S. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.-24th Dist.) announced a $2.8 million federal Economic Development Administration grant for infrastructure and construction of the first building at the park. (See story, Page 1.)