Note to Editors and Reporters:

In advance of President Obama’s visit to Schenectady County tomorrow, we thought it might be helpful to provide information on recent GE expansions in Schenectady County. These project details might be helpful in putting together stories related to the President’s visit.

Schenectady County is very proud to host President Obama and we are proud of our efforts to work closely with GE to encourage the company to make major new investments here.

If you need additional information or want to interview County economic development team members, please call Joe McQueen at 518-388-4772 or cell 518-225-7951.

GE Expansions in Schenectady County Since 2004

2004

$25 Million expansion, 75,000 square foot addition to Global Research Center in Niskayuna.

Incentives: County IDA sales tax exemption and increase to Pilot Agreement.

2005

$5 million expansion, 16,800 square foot addition and renovations to existing 80,000 square foot Energy Learning Center in Niskayuna.   Plus, gas turbine shipped to site from Korea to enhance and expand training opportunities.

Incentives:  County IDA sales tax exemption and increase to Pilot Agreement.

2006

$4 million renovation of 113,500 square foot C Wing Lab and Office Complex at Global Research Center in Niskayuna.

Incentives: County IDA sales tax exemption and increase to Pilot Agreement.

2007

Wind Product Management and Customer Support Center at GE downtown campus creating 150 new jobs.

Incentives: none.

2008

$45 million, 200,000 square foot renovation of Building 53 at GE downtown campus to house GE Renewable Energy Headquarters creating 500 new jobs.

Incentives:  $5 million from Empire State Development and County IDA sales tax exemption.

2,100 construction workers involved in Building 53 renovation.

GE committed to 500 new jobs by the end of 2011, but created 650 new jobs by the end of 2009.

Remote operations center in Renewable Energy Headquarters monitors GE wind turbines.

2009

$100 million, 270,000 square foot renovation of Building 66 at GE downtown campus for new Battery plant creating 350 new jobs.

Incentives:  $15 million from Empire State Development, $5 million from Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority, sales tax exemptions and new Pilot Agreement that increases assessment of downtown GE Campus (city side) from $37 million to $65 million.