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Empire State Development Announces Aerosafe Global is Expanding Operations in Monroe County

Bio-Pharmaceutical Cold-Chain Packaging and Shipping Specialist is Renovating and Expanding to a 150,000 Square-Foot Facility in the City of Rochester; Company will Create an additional 35 New Jobs

Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that bio-pharmaceutical cold-chain packaging and shipping specialist, AeroSafe Global, is renovating and expanding its current facility on Buffalo Road in the City of Rochester, Monroe County. The company plans to add 65,000 square-feet to its corporate headquarters, engineering design lab, refurbishment center and manufacturing plant and create up to 35 new jobs over the next ten years; 122 jobs will be retained. The company had been considering moving its operations outside of New York State but will instead continue to grow in Finger Lakes region due to the support it is receiving from ESD.  Buckingham Properties, which owns the building, is also investing in the project. The expanded facility is expected to be fully operational in the spring of 2020.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-Designate Eric Gertler said, “Aerosafe Global’s decision to expand its operations in Rochester speaks to the commitment this tech-based business has made to the community and to the state’s strategic investment that has made the Finger Lakes a great place to grow and innovate.”

ESD is offering up to $1.9 million through the Excelsior Tax Credit Program for the project in exchange for job creation commitments over the next decade. The company will purchase and install new manufacturing equipment on site. The total project cost has been placed at $1.2 million. Monroe County, City of Rochester and Greater Rochester Enterprise also assisted with the project.

Aerosafe Global CEO Jay McHarg said, "Our transformation from a product company to a leading-edge, technology-based service company has enabled us to become a partner, rather than a vendor, to our customers," added McHarg. "Our desire to invest in Rochester, and this commitment from the state, county and city is a testament to the quality of our people.  Our new facility will create a world class environment for our employees to continue to grow, innovate and prosper in the City of Rochester.”

With more than 30 Fortune 500 pharmaceutical and healthcare customers, AeroSafe is the principal provider of outsourced cold-chain-as-a-service (CCaaS) solutions for the pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and medical device industries. AeroSafe’s innovative packaging technology, cost-efficient re-use business model, and data tracking and analytics ensure the safe, efficient and sustainable delivery of temperature-sensitive drugs and devices, while providing customers with a streamlined solution for the entire cold chain from manufacturer to end-user.

State Senator Joe Robach said, "I am pleased to see the investment from Empire State Development in AeroSafe Global, which will now expand and grow its business in our community instead of leaving Rochester and New York all together. Rochester’s talented workforce and our local economy will benefit from this investment, making it a win-win for everyone involved."

State Assemblyman David Gantt said, “Aerosafe Global’s growth ensures that it continues to be a crucial part of Rochester’s future. Many thanks to the company for committing to continue to grow its business here, creating great jobs for area residents. Thank you as well to all of the state and community partners who worked together to ensure this company’s continued success in the region.”

County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said, "Aerosafe Global’s renewed investment is evidence that Monroe County is open for business! Our job creation efforts continue to pay dividends as we expand opportunities for County residents and attract more jobs to our community. Thank you to Aerosafe Global for their commitment to Monroe County.”

Rochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren said, “I want to congratulate and thank AeroSafe Global for making this investment in Rochester and supporting the growth of our region’s knowledge economy. I am grateful to Governor Cuomo and Empire State Development for retaining and growing jobs in Rochester through Finger Lakes Forward. Together we are moving forward to create more jobs, safer, more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities for our citizens.”

Greater Rochester Enterprise President & CEO Matt Hurlbutt said, Materials science is part of the Greater Rochester, NY region’s DNA. AeroSafe Global made a smart decision to expand its operations here to leverage the intellectual capital and packaging technology expertise available in Rochester, NY.

Buckingham Properties President & COO Richard Finley said, “Buckingham Properties has built a strong relationship with AeroSafe over the last fifteen years as they’ve expanded to over seven times their original footprint. We are pleased to continue this partnership as their operations continue into the future and applaud their commitment to Rochester.”

For more information about AeroSafe Global/American Aerogel, 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

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