BATAVIA – A major Genesee County technology project could have the potential to create more than 10,000 jobs over the next 20 years. It’s an integral part of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council’s draft of its application for a $500 million Upstate Revitalization Initiative award.
The Western New York Science, Technology, Advanced Manufacturing Park in the Town of Alabama could have a significant impact on the economy from Rochester to Buffalo for years to come, Genesee County Manager Jay A. Gsell said Thursday.
“We’re talking about the creation of thousands of jobs paying $60,000 to $70,000 a year just at the site itself, and a multiplier effect of two to three times that number in new employment opportunities in the region,” Gsell said. “All boats rise with the tide in this case.”
The Finger Lakes council released the document earlier this week, stating that it opens a month-long public review period leading up to the Oct. 5 submission of the final proposal to the state.
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Finger Lakes is one of seven upstate economic development councils that are vying for three $500 million grants to be used for projects to spur growth and create jobs. The others are the Capital Region, Central New York, Mid-Hudson, Mohawk Valley, North Country and Southern Tier.
Additionally, the Finger Lakes council will be submitting a progress report to compete for a portion of the up to $750 million available in this year’s Regional Economic Development Council competition.
In the regional council contest, three regions will earn “top performer” distinction and will receive approximately $105 million each, with the remaining four regions receiving approximately $90 million each.
The Finger Lakes council, in a press release, explained that the draft application focuses on three “pillars” of strength in the region – optics, photonics and imaging; agriculture and food production; and next-generation manufacturing and technology, including Eastman Business Park and the Downtown Innovation Zone in Rochester, and Western New York Science, Technology, Advanced Manufacturing Park, known as Western New York STAMP.
“STAMP has been a high-priority transformative project (in Genesee County), and already has received $37 million from the Buffalo Billion (initiative) to buy the land and secure utilities,” Gsell said. “It kind of bridges both councils – Finger Lakes and Western New York. It definitely has a bi-regional impact.”
To facilitate growth in the “pillar” areas, the Finger Lakes council is promoting three “enablers” – reducing poverty by employing hard-to-place workers; entrepreneurship and development; and higher education and research.
In accordance with guidelines for the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, the plan zeroes in on increasing the number of permanent, above-average salary jobs in the private sector, and a ratio of at least 5-to-1 private to public investment.
Danny Wegman, president of the Wegman grocery chain, and Joel Seligman, president of the University of Rochester, are co-chairs of the Finger Lakes council committee.
Western New York STAMP, a 1,340-acre mega site located in the New York Power Authority’s low-cost hydropower zone, is best suited for advanced manufacturing, including production of solar energy panels, flat-screen monitors and computer chips, officials said.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center is a driving force behind its creation and completion.
Leaders of the Genesee center have indicated that more than 2,000 jobs will be created after five years, with $1.5 billion in private investment.
When fully utilized in 15 to 20 years, the technology park could produce more than 10,500 direct jobs and generate $10 billion in private capital investment – numbers that will boost both the Buffalo and Rochester metropolitan areas, officials said.
