Schenectady, N.Y., March 13, 2006 – Schenectady County officials today officially welcomed the New York State Racing and Wagering Board to downtown Schenectady. The agency, which regulates casinos, charitable gaming and pari-mutuel betting in New York, has relocated its headquarters and 70 jobs to the Broadway Center Building in downtown Schenectady.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley noted that, “Schenectady is the only City in the State besides Albany and New York City to host the headquarters of a State agency – and now we have three.” He added, “I’m thrilled to welcome the people of the Racing and Wagering Board, who join headquarters staffs of the Division of the Lottery and the Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities already located in downtown Schenectady. I’ve appreciated working with the City and the County to bring other State agencies, including the regional headquarters of the Department of Transportation and of the Department of Environmental Conservation, to Schenectady County.”

Schenectady County and City officials worked closely with Senator Farley and the State Office of General Services to encourage the location of additional State agency personnel in Schenectady. This is part of the County’s unified economic development effort.

Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature said, “This is another important step forward in building our downtown and strengthening the County’s economy. We will continue to encourage the State to make additional investments here.”

Mayor Brian U. Stratton said, “We warmly welcome the State Racing and Wagering Board to its new headquarters and home in downtown Schenectady. This will help us continue Schenectady’s unprecedented revival and growth made possible by a true partnership of people working together.”

In addition to the Racing and Wagering Board, local officials have been working to help other agencies, including the Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, to expand in downtown Schenectady.   Key to bringing additional State workers here, as the Harriman Campus is converted to private use, is the development of shovel ready space for new offices in Schenectady. Considerable progress has been made in developing sites at the Broadway Commerce Park and College Park developments in the City. Additional sites will be created as part of the Erie-Edison Technology corridor project.

A new 35,000 square foot office building is planned in Rotterdam to house the regional office of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation as part of a plan to develop a corporate office complex at the Rotterdam Industrial Park.

Metroplex in cooperation with the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation and the Chamber of Schenectady County hosted an orientation and welcome to Schenectady briefing today for Racing and Wagering Board employees. The presentation featured treats from Villa Italia, coupons and discounts from many downtown merchants and information on downtown attractions. Employees also received information on parking and future plans for downtown.