Software Design Development Firm is Renovating Main Street Building to Include Incubator Space for Start-Up Companies
Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy
Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that software development firm Envative had outgrown its current office space in Downtown Rochester. The company has purchased a larger building in another Downtown location and is in the process of rehabbing the new space which will serve as its headquarters. Envative is also planning to use a portion of the 13,000 square-feet of space included in the project to accommodate other technology companies and entrepreneurs as a way to encourage a cooperative enterprise for Rochester technologists and start-ups, through common workspace and technical support. The company plans to create up to 14 new jobs on site by 2022; 23 jobs will be retained. They plan to begin operating out of the new site sometime before the end of 2018. Supporting innovation and assisting efforts to reinvigorate Downtown Rochester are central to the regionally designed Finger Lakes Forward economic development plan.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “Downtown Rochester is on the rise and Envative’s decision to stay and expand its operations is further evidence that our strategic investments in the city center are working. This project is an all-around win for the local community and the Finger Lakes – it will create new jobs, retain jobs, and encourage more startups and entrepreneurs to locate downtown, bolstering the innovation economy that’s growing in the heart of Rochester.”
In business for 20 years, Envative is best known for taking on challenging software projects for clients. These projects include a combination of web applications, mobile applications, IoT and systems integrations for businesses in the U.S. and Europe.
Some well-known local companies that Envative currently serves include United Way of Greater Rochester, Carestream, Brand Integrity, Butler/Till Media Services, University of Rochester Medical Center, ConServe, Doyle Security, First American Equipment Finance, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (located downstate).
Craig Lamb, Envative Partner, said, “We constantly challenge ourselves. We take on the hard stuff that many other (software) companies shy away from, which has led to our continued growth. We are excited to grow here. Envative has always believed in downtown Rochester, and it’s been exciting for us to witness all of the expansion and development that’s occurred here over the last 15 years since moving our offices here in 2002.”
To encourage Envative to grow in the Finger Lakes region, Empire State Development has offered up to $400,000 in performance-based Excelsior Tax Credits, which are directly tied to job creation commitments. Monroe County and the City of Rochester are also supporting the project, which has a total cost of approximately $1.54 million.
Assembly Majority Leader Joseph D. Morelle said, “Rochester’s high-tech economy is being powered by a second to none workforce, globally recognized research institutions, and innovative, fast-growing companies like Envative. Envative’s expansion is great news for our economy and further demonstrates that our community is a truly exciting place for the businesses of today and the future to locate, grow, and thrive.”
State Senator Joe Robach said, "With Envative’s decision to expand to a larger location in the City Center, this is another example that downtown Rochester is a destination for businesses as they look to grow and succeed. Envative’s choice to make their new home downtown, they will create jobs while helping other local businesses succeed and by offering space to technology entrepreneur, help to create a cooperative spirit of innovation."
“I want to congratulate the team at Envative for their success in Downtown Rochester and thank them for believing in the vitality of our city and continuing to invest in our community,” said Rochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren. “I am also grateful to Governor Cuomo and Empire State Development for their work to retain and grow these jobs in Rochester through Finger Lakes Forward and helping us achieve our goals of creating more jobs, safer, more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities for our citizens.”
County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said, “We are thrilled that a successful software company like Envative will be growing jobs and expanding their operations in the heart of our Downtown. On behalf of a grateful community, I thank Envative for their continued commitment to doing business in Monroe County and for their support of other fellow tech companies who will help generate even more jobs and investment in our area.”
For more information about Envative, 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 $5.2 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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