U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds (R-N.Y., 27th Dist.) announced Oct. 17 at Cornell's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, N.Y., that he has secured $645,000 in funding for the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park project in the new federal budget.
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| U.S. Rep. Thomas M. Reynolds announces federal funding for the proposed Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park in Geneva, N.Y., Oct. 17. Behind him is New York State Sen. Michael Nozzolio. NYSAES/Cornell |
"Congressman Reynolds' support of $645,000 for the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park in the 2001 federal budget is exciting news," said James E. Hunter, director of the Geneva Experiment Station. "These funds will help support planning and construction of the initial infrastructure of the park. That includes water, sewage, roads, utilities and an in-depth environmental impact statement. Depending on our success in securing additional funds, a portion of this money may be used for actual construction of the first incubator research building."
Reynolds had the funding included in the fiscal year 2001 appropriation bill that was approved by the House and Senate Oct. 19 and awaits the president's signature.
"This is an ambitious project that will make the area a world leader in horticultural, biotech and food science research," Reynolds said. "Just as important, it's a major economic development initiative that will help create hundreds of new jobs in our community."
Companies in the proposed park will carry out research in agriculture, food and biotechnology that complements the research and extension programs of the 800-acre Geneva Experiment Station. The proposed 78-acre research park, on property 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. 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.
It's estimated that as many as 150 full-time employees can be on staff within three years of the park's completion, said Reynolds. In addition, more than 140 contracting entities are expect to use the park. "With a continued, strong partnership of federal, state and local governments, academic and the private sector, the Geneva Station has tremendous potential for great success," he said. "And once it's up and running, will have an incredible impact on the residents of Ontario County."
The money will go to the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park Corp., the not-for-profit corporation that has just been formed for the planning, management and development of the park.
Reynolds was joined during the announcement by New York State Sen. Michael Nozzolio (R-53rd Dist.); Ontario County Board of Supervisor's Chair Donald Ninestine; Ontario County Administrator Geoff Astles; Geneva City Manager Rich Rising; Mike Manikowski, executive director of the Ontario County Industrial Development Agency (IDA); Valerie Bassett, economic development zone specialist in the city of Geneva's planning and economic development department; Melanie Stepp, director of the Geneva area Chamber of Commerce; and Stephen Johnson, assistant vice president for government affairs at Cornell.
Nozzolio, who has been working to provide state assistance for the project, praised Reynolds' efforts to secure the federal funding. "This needed funding will provide the kind of momentum we need to keep this project moving forward," Nozzolio said.
"This is the first large-scale grant that will begin to make this project reality," said Rich Rising, Geneva city manager. "It is a crucial project for economic development in the city and takes advantage of the extraordinary technology at the experiment station to create jobs and further Geneva's economic revitalization."
Hunter and others in Geneva believe the park is needed to help ensure the long-term viability of the Agricultural Experiment Station as a world leader in research related to agriculture, food science and biotechnology. The park also will enable the station to continue to attract and retain outstanding scientists and provide a stimulating and creative research environment that will lead to benefits for agriculture, food and biotechnology businesses in New York state proponents say.
The Cornell Ag and Food Tech Park project is the result of a partnership between Cornell, the city of Geneva and the Geneva IDA, Ontario County IDA, Geneva Area Chamber of Commerce, Geneva Growth Inc., Empire State Development Corp., SUNY State University Construction Fund and representatives from the state Assembly and Senate.
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