Two Buffalo-area development companies have been chosen to support Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s vision to develop high-tech innovation and manufacturing facilities in Western New York. Project administrator, the SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) in Albany, in conjunction with Fort Schuyler Management Corporation (FSMC), today selected LPCiminelli and McGuire Development Company for collaboration in strategic, economic development initiatives in the region.
“This is a critical step in fulfilling Governor Cuomo’s plans for sustainable, high-tech, clean energy research and manufacturing hubs in Buffalo,” said Dr. Alain Kaloyeros, CNSE Senior Vice President and CEO. “We look forward to working with both of these highly qualified developers to deliver world class, state-of-the-art facilities for the leading technology companies being lured to Western New York.”
“Governor Cuomo’s transformation of the economic development landscape of Buffalo and Western New York is well underway,” said WNY Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair, Howard Zemsky. “The array of high-tech developments the Governor has championed holds tremendous promise and opportunity for our region. Getting the development team in place will help us move forward quickly.”
To date, Governor Cuomo has announced two related projects, which will produce more than $1.5 billion in private investments and hundreds of good paying jobs in the Buffalo area:
- The Buffalo Medical Innovation and Commercialization Hub (beginning with AMRI) on the Buffalo Niagara Medical campus.
- The Buffalo High-Tech Innovation and Commercialization Hub (beginning with Soraa and Silevo) at RiverBend in South Buffalo.
On October 15, 2013, FSMC issued a Request for Proposal that solicited information from area developers interested in developing state-of-the-art facilities and cutting edge infrastructure in the Greater Buffalo area. Nine development firms expressed interest in the RFP, with six requesting the RFP packet and signing the required Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement.
The RFP did not specify which projects the developers would participate in and the formal agreement between LPCiminelli, McGuire Development Company and CNSE/FSMC will not cite specific projects. According to the RFP, “[the] strategic partnership … shall exist for a term of 5 years with possibly 5 successive one-year options for renewal subject to mutual agreement.”
CNSE represents the world’s most advanced university-driven research enterprise, with more than $20 billion in high-tech investments, and over 300 corporate partners. The 1.3 million-square-foot Albany NanoTech megaplex is home to more than 3,100 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, and faculty.
FSMC is a non-profit corporation formed to help facilitate development activities related to the research and educational mission of the State University of New York in and around the cities of Utica and Rome.
About SUNY CNSE
The SUNY College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) is the world leader in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience, and nanoeconomics. CNSE represents the world’s most advanced university-driven research enterprise, with more than $20 billion in high-tech investments and over 300 corporate partners. The 1.3 million-square-foot Albany NanoTech megaplex is home to more than 3,100 scientists, researchers, engineers, students, and faculty. CNSE maintains a statewide footprint, operating the Smart Cities Technology Innovation Center (SCiTI) at Kiernan Plaza in Albany, the Solar Energy Development Center in Halfmoon, the Photovoltaic Manufacturing and Technology Development Facility in Rochester, and the Smart System Technology and Commercialization Center (STC) in Canandaigua. CNSE co-founded and manages the Computer Chip Commercialization Center (Quad-C) at SUNYIT, and is lead developer of the Marcy Nanocenter site in Utica, as well as the Riverbend Green Energy Hub, High-Tech Manufacturing Innovation Hub, and Medical Innovation and Commercialization Hub, all in Buffalo.
