Investment Complements “Southern Tier Soaring” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy
Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that Oasis Stone Scapes, a new business that will be creating products focused on glass fiber reinforced masonry panels, is establishing operations in Johnson City, Broome County. The company, which partnering with Binghamton University through the START-UP NY program, plans to invest more than $1 million and create at least six new jobs locally. This investment complements the regional Southern Tier Soaring strategic plan to revitalize the local economy.
“Oasis Stone Scapes’ decision to do business in Broome County is further proof that START-UP NY and the Southern Tier Soaring strategies are attracting private investment and generating economic development in the region,” said ESD President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “This new investment will create jobs, boost the local economy and strengthen the Southern Tier’s growing reputation as a hub for next generation manufacturing.”
Oasis Stone Scapes (OSS) uses a new technology of panel masonry that fills the concrete manufacturing industry’s need for an eco-friendly product. Each panel is precast with a high-strength composite and can be installed on a solid surface without the need of a substrate, concrete footing or any additional supports. OSS will design, mold and mix the reinforced composite, and cast the panels to manufacture and install for customers.
John and Cheryl Sacco, co-owners of Oasis Stone Scapes said, “We are excited to partner with the State and Binghamton University to launch our business in Johnson City, thanks to the opportunity presented to us by the START-UP NY program. The Southern Tier has so much to offer and we are confident it is the perfect location for our business to thrive.”
OSS intends to market their products to residential, commercial and industrial clients in New York and Pennsylvania, and in particular in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes region. Many of the company’s prospective clients include developers, engineers, architects, pool installers, universities, municipalities and the residential sector. The glass fiber reinforced masonry will provide structural strength and lasting durability that will far exceed natural stone or conventional concrete.
As a START-UP NY participant sponsored by Binghamton University, Oasis Stone Scapes will collaborate with faculty and student teams on design, development and testing of materials, and use cases for the reinforced masonry panels. Binghamton University will have the opportunity to increase utilization of its testing infrastructure and gain real-world business and technical experiences for employees and students. Ultimately, students and graduates will be considered for internship and employment opportunities.
Per Stromhaug, Assistant Vice President for Innovation and Economic Development and START-UP NY Coordinator at Binghamton University said, “Innovation, job creation and opportunities for collaboration are several of our highest priorities when making the decision to partner with private industry. This local company represents all of these key components of the START-UP program. We're excited to see them grow in the region.”
The high-strength composite panel system’s wide-range of styles from which to choose, affordability and eco-friendliness – along with less waste and labor compared to traditional masonry block installation – have proven attractive to customers. Moreover, these visually striking additions to an outdoor space can add permanent value to the home.
Additionally, the materials and process used by OSS greatly reduce the environmental impact of standard construction processes. Imagine the carbon imprint that would be created building an outdoor waterfall and patio around an inground pool: There is the fuel intensive process of using heavy machinery to pull the large stones from their natural environment; the industrial process and waste created when manufacturing the pavers that will be installed; and the fuel burned in transporting all the materials to the installers business, and then to jobsite.
OSS avoids all of these factors because its composite material products are built to specification with nearly zero waste created during its patented, hand-crafted process, with most installations going up in one day or less.
For more information about Oasis Stone Scape, click here.
Accelerating Southern Tier Soaring
Today's announcement complements “Southern Tier Soaring the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $3.1 billion in the region since 2012 to lay for groundwork for the plan – attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving innovation. 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 Binghamton, Johnson City and Corning as a destination in which to grow and invest. Now, the region is accelerating Southern Tier Soaring 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 10,200 new jobs. More information is available here.
Contact:
Jason Conwall | [email protected] | (518) 292-5107 | (800) 260-7313
ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313