Empire State Development meetings
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Press Release
Thursday, October 17, 2019 - 11:52am
High-Tech Optical and Security Technology Company Will Grow its Operations in the Town of Henrietta Creating and Retaining almost 70 Jobs
Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy
Empire State Development (ESD) today announced high-tech communications network services provider and high performance thin-film optical coatings manufacturer VIAVI Solutions, which acquired locally based RPC Photonics in 2018, is growing its operations in the Town of Henrietta, Monroe County. The company will construct a new, 30,000 square-foot plant at its John Street location and will create up to 23 new jobs;44 jobs will be retained. The expansion is expected to be completed in February of 2020.
Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-Designate Eric Gertler said, "The Finger Lakes region is home to talent-rich tech companies like VIAVI Solutions that continue to expand and create good-paying jobs here, reflecting New York State’s strategic investment in business expansion and regional growth.”
The new facility will replace the current 17,000 square-foot plant, providing the needed infrastructure necessary for enhanced product development and manufacturing. The additional space will include the construction of a state-of-the-art, ISO, class 5 cleanroom at the Henrietta location.
VIAVI Senior Vice President & General Manager for the Optical Security and Performance Products Business Luke Scrivanich said, “RPC Photonics was acquired by VIAVI in order to expand our offerings in the 3D sensing space and to leverage its resources in adjacent sectors. We look forward to expanding and modernizing our capabilities in Monroe County. This area is renowned for its talent in optics technology and we expect to continue to recruit and hire from the local colleges and universities.”
VIAVI focuses its operations on the optical security and performance products business in high performance custom optics, by providing light management solutions for the consumer electronics, automotive, industrial, government and anti-counterfeiting markets.
ESD is assisting the successful company with its consolidation in Monroe County by providing up to $400,000 through the Excelsior Jobs Program in exchange for job creation commitments. Greater Rochester Enterprise was also instrumental in ensuring Viavi Solutions would expand and grow in New York State instead of moving its local manufacturing operations to the company’s facilities in Asia.
State Senator Patrick Gallivan said, “The expansion of VIAVI Solutions is testament to the continued success of this high-tech industry and the quality of the local workforce. In addition to retaining dozens of existing jobs, the creation of nearly two dozen additional positions will provide new opportunities for students studying at local colleges and universities. The investment also sends a positive message about the continued economic growth of Henrietta, Monroe County and the entire Finger Lakes Region.”
State Assembly Member Harry Bronson said, “I applaud Luke Scrivanich and the team from VIAVI Solutions for their ongoing commitment to our region. Today’s announcement by the company and Empire State Development Acting Commissioner Eric Gertler shows that the Rochester area has a strong, diverse, and skilled workforce and is in an economic position to create jobs for the future. I look forward to VIAVI Solution’s growth and the addition of new jobs at their expanded Henrietta campus.”
Henrietta Town Supervisor Steve Schultz said, “Being located near two nationally ranked research universities each with an emphasis on different portions of the Photonics industry, Monroe County, and especially Henrietta, is a prime location for a photonics company to expand operations. We are very glad that VIAVi recognizes the strength of our area and is willing to invest in the acquisition of RPC Photonics and the expansion of their facilities which will include the creation of an additional 23 jobs in the industry. Thank you to RPC Photonics, VIAVI, and Empire State Development for working together to make this exciting opportunity a reality.”
Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said, "From our historic strength in manufacturing and optics, to the talent harnessed by our world-class colleges and universities, Monroe County is the perfect place for VIAVI Solutions to grow. Monroe County is proud to be home to VIAVI as they create more jobs in our community and we offer our unique one-of-a-kind workforce development programs to support their continued success in the future."
Greater Rochester Enterprise President & CEO Matt Hurlbutt said,” By acquiring locally based RPC Photonics, VIAVI has tapped into the robust optics, photonics, and imaging ecosystem and technical expertise available in the Greater Rochester, NY region. VIAVI leaders plan to expand their manufacturing capacity here in Henrietta, NY, to meet expected sales growth in the 3D imaging and sensing market.
For additional information about VIAVI, click here.
Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward
Today’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $6.1 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan – investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture and food production, and advanced manufacturing. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Rochester, Batavia and Canandaigua as a destination to grow and invest in.
Now, the region is accelerating Finger Lakes Forward with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 8,200 new jobs. More information is available here.
Contact:
Shari Voorhees-Vincent | [email protected] | (585) 399-7055
Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313
Board Meeting
Thursday, October 17, 2019 - 9:30am
Press Release
Tuesday, October 15, 2019 - 2:13pm
Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) Board of Directors met today and approved several items that will advance projects on Buffalo’s waterfront. The board approved the design of both Heritage Point on the South Aud Block and the Buffalo Heritage Carousel near the Central Wharf at Canalside, paving the way for the projects to move forward. The board also authorized ECHDC to grant a utility easement on the Outer Harbor to National Grid and designated additional Canalside Design Committee members.
“The items approved by the ECHDC Board today ensure that our waterfront has cohesive and visually engaging spaces for the public’s enjoyment,” said ECHDC Chairman Robert Gioia. “As the waterfront grows—both in its appeal and with physical projects—it is important that we take the time to create a timeless neighborhood and spaces that continue to attract visitors to the area.”
The design approved by the ECHDC Board for Heritage Point, a $30 million private development project on the South Aud Block, includes two mixed-use buildings. The two buildings (totaling approximately 103,000 square feet) will be separated by a public walkway that follows a portion of the former Prime Slip, which would be inclined to provide an accessible path to the towpath for the public. The proposed buildings will be constructed to the parcel lot lines, creating uniquely-shaped buildings and the exterior building materials will be predominantly stone and brick masonry. The buildings will include a mix of residential, office and a restaurant. The project, to be developed by Sinatra & Company, has been formally reviewed by the Canalside Design Committee to determine its consistency with the Canalside Design Guidelines. Renderings and construction drawings of the project are here.
The Board also approved the design for the approximately 6,000 square foot Roundhouse building that will house the Buffalo Heritage Carousel. The structure shape is designed as an octagon with a two-step roof that includes a clerestory and is topped with a glazed cupola. The eight sides of the octagon will be formed by heavy timber columns and spanned by a glazed storefront system. The metal panel roof will also have an integrated solar panel to assist in the operation of the carousel. The carousel will be centered within the structure. The $4 million project has been formally reviewed by the Canalside Design Committee to determine its consistency with the Canalside Design Guidelines. Renderings and construction drawings of the project are here.
The board also designated additional Canalside Design Committee members. The Canalside Design Guidelines were prepared in July 2009, revised in March 2010 and apply to all development parcels within Canalside. Its goals are to provide high quality, attractive and active spaces that employ contemporary techniques but connect to the unique history of the site and Buffalo as a whole. The purpose of the committee, which currently consists of Rishawn Sonubi, Audrey Ross Sanders and Mark Mistretta, is to assist ECHDC with the development, adoption and implementation of the guidelines. New members designated by the board today include Elaine Chow, an adjunct professor within the School of Architecture & Planning at the State University of New York at Buffalo who also has a private practice, and Deborah Pease, who has a private practice that provides both design and construction management services. The board also designated two alternates to the Canalside Design Review Committee: Michael Lennon and Seth Amman.
Lastly, the ECHDC Board approved a measure that will allow ECHDC to grant a utility easement on the Outer Harbor to National Grid. In order to provide electrical service to recent projects on the Outer Harbor, including a bike park and event lawn, the utility easement will permit extension of electrical service from Fuhrmann Boulevard to locations at Lakeside Complex. The proposed easement, which is 20 feet wide, would prohibit building construction on the section and grants National Grid the right to access the property to inspect, maintain and repair the electric cabling as necessary. The transfer will not provide any monetary compensation to ECHDC.
About Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation
The ECHDC is governed by a nine-member board consisting of seven voting directors and two non-voting, ex-officio directors. The seven voting directors are recommended by the New York State Governor and are appointed by the New York State Urban Development Corporation d/b/a Empire State Development as sole shareholder of ECHDC. The two nonvoting, ex-officio director positions are held by the Erie County Executive and the City of Buffalo Mayor.
As a subsidiary of Empire State Development, the state’s chief economic development agency, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation supports and promotes the creation of infrastructure and public activities at Canalside, the Ohio Street corridor and the Outer Harbor that is attracting critical mass, private investment and enhance the enjoyment of the waterfront for residents and tourists in Western New York. Its vision is to revitalize Western New York’s waterfront and restore economic growth to Buffalo based on the region’s legacy of pride, urban significance and natural beauty. For more information on ECHDC, visit here.
Contact:
Pamm Lent | [email protected] | 716-846-8309 | (800) 260-7313
Laura Magee | [email protected] | 716-846-8239 | (800) 260-7313
Board Meeting
Tuesday, October 15, 2019 - 10:30am
With videoconferencing to:
Empire State Development
633 Third Avenue – 37th Floor Conference Room
New York, NY 10017