State Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy
Empire State Development (ESD) today announced its investment in cybersecurity and risk management consulting company Security Risk Advisors (SRA). ESD has offered up to $900,000 through the Excelsior Jobs program to aid the successful company with its move to the City of Rochester, Monroe County. Because of the support from New York State, the company plans to create up to 67 new jobs in the region over the next five years. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Security Risk Advisors will open an office at the Culver Road Armory where it plans to be operational in the fall. The total project cost has been placed at a little more than $11.5 million. Monroe County, the City of Rochester and Greater Rochester Enterprise are also assisting with the project.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "Security Risk Advisors has recognized the Finger Lakes region as a growing high-tech hub for the cybersecurity industry, with a highly skilled talent pool that is drawing cutting-edge companies to Rochester to create 21st century jobs.”
Founded in 2010, Security Risk Advisors began by using a virtual office model. In 2017, their strategy to grow by mentoring a larger number of University hires led to the decision to open their headquarters in Philadelphia. Security Risk Advisors decided to open its first New York State location in the City of Rochester due to the large, local talent pool available via the Finger Lakes regions’ 19 renowned colleges and universities.
Security Risk Advisors Director Mike Pinch said, “We are proud to partner with Empire State Development, Greater Rochester Enterprise, the City of Rochester and Monroe County to establish our office in Rochester. Our talent development program starts with students, and the cybersecurity talent pool in Rochester is second to none. The proximity to top colleges and industry leading companies, in addition to the quality of life in Western New York made the decision to open our second office in Rochester an easy one. Security Risk Advisors looks forward to great success delivering world-class consulting services, contributing high-quality cybersecurity thought leadership, and developing the next generation of security professionals here in Rochester.”
Security Risk Advisors provides cybersecurity expertise to its clients with a focus on the Fortune and Global 1000. Their services include ethical hacking, risk assessments, compliance, engineering, and managed detection and response. The forward-thinking company contributes to industry thought leadership by developing free software, mentoring students and sponsoring cyber competitions and women-in-cyber conferences.
State Senator Rich Funke said, "Any time a business relocates to our area or invests additional capital here it's a good day. Security Risk Advisors is a cutting-edge company with a much needed 21st century mission. I'm so pleased that they will call the Finger Lakes home."
State Assembly Member Harry Bronson said, "The Finger Lakes regional economy is becoming a leader in cybersecurity and the high-tech fields that will define our 21st century economy. I am pleased to see Security Risk Advisors recognize the pipeline of highly skilled workers in the Rochester community, and applaud them for bringing new jobs to the 138th Assembly District. I also want to applaud Governor Cuomo and the team at Empire State Development for the incredible work they do in moving the Finger Lakes forward."
Rochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren said, “I want to congratulate and thank Security Risk Advisors for making the decision to move to Rochester and utilize our highly skilled workforce. I am also grateful to Governor Cuomo and Empire State Development for always working to retain and create jobs in Rochester through Finger Lakes Forward. Together, we are advancing towards our mission of creating more jobs, safer, more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities for Rochester’s citizens.”
Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said, "Monroe County is home to an experienced workforce, top tier higher education institutions, and a rapidly growing tech sector. We're thrilled to welcome Security Risk Advisors to our community and we look forward to continuing to work with them to create more jobs in the years to come. This investment is proof that Monroe County is open for business!"
Matt Hurlbutt, President & CEO, Greater Rochester Enterprise said, “We are pleased that Security Risk Advisors will open a new office here and leverage the Greater Rochester, NY region’s highly skilled workforce and low cost of doing business. When it comes to cybersecurity, the Greater Rochester, NY region has the top-tier tech talent and leading-edge R&D assets at RIT and University of Rochester that companies such as SRA need to grow.”
For more Information about Security Risk Advisors, 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.
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