Schenectady, N.Y.  – Schenectady County and City Leaders today announced that seven different organizations will invest a total of $4.2 million, retaining 119 jobs and creating 53 new jobs at a new business park in downtown Schenectady — the Broadway Commerce Park.

“This is a tremendous vote of confidence in our community and in our economic development program,” said Susan Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. “Schenectady is winning again because we have a new results-oriented, smart- growth, pro-active job plan. Today’s announcement is the largest investment in downtown since the DOT Building and it sows the seeds for future growth by establishing a new in-city business park along the Broadway corridor.”

Senator Hugh T. Farley said, “Schenectady keeps moving forward! Private sector companies are making the decision to invest in downtown Schenectady. Looking at the array of investors in the new office park – from an insurance company to a roofing supply dealer to high technology companies to IUE Local 301 – it is clear that both business and labor agree that Schenectady is the place to be!”

Mayor Brian U. Stratton said, “My administration has worked closely with Senator Farley, Empire State Development, the County Legislature and Metroplex to secure this major investment and job announcement for Schenectady. Not only will this project keep good paying jobs in the City, it creates tax base and the potential for further growth with the development and build-out of an additional 200,000 square feet of space at the Broadway Commerce Park.”

The seven organizations planning investments along the Broadway Corridor include: Quality Roofing Supplies; Merriam Insurance; Parisi and Saccocio Law Firm; Plank LLC; Spectrum Environmental Associates; Technical Business Solutions and IUE Local 301.

Quality Roofing Supplies will expand an existing 53,500 square foot warehouse with a 26,500 square foot addition creating a renovated 80,000 square foot facility. The company will retain 25 jobs and add 15 new employees. Quality Roofing will invest $780,000 in the building expansion to be supported by a proposed $312,000 loan from Metroplex.

Merriam Insurance, the law firm of Parisi & Saccocio and Plank LLC will construct a new 22,500 square foot office building on Broadway at a cost of $2.7 million. The three companies will retain 59 jobs and add 25 new jobs.   Proposed Metroplex support for the new facility includes a loan for $810,000 and a grant of $150,000. Empire State Development will provide a grant of $250,000 to support both construction of the new building as well as the development of additional shovel ready sites at the Broadway Commerce Park.

Three additional buildings on Broadway will also be renovated and connected as part of a $700,000 investment in the new business park. Metroplex assistance is proposed as a $175,000 loan and a $75,000 façade grant.  The renovated facility will serve as home to two companies and IUE Local 301.   Technical Business Solutions, a computer engineering and supply company, will retain 9 jobs and add 9 new positions. Spectrum Environmental Associates, an environmental engineering firm, will retain 12 jobs and add 4 new jobs. IUE Local 310 will retain 14 jobs in the City.   The existing IUE Hall on Erie Boulevard is being renovated for use as the Zone Five Regional Police Academy.

Assemblyman Paul Tonko said, “This latest announcement is testament to the new and cooperative “can do” attitude that now exists in Schenectady. I congratulate my partners from the state, county and city governments who put this plan together.”

Assemblyman James Tedisco said, “This is a great project for Schenectady that will not only improve the look and appearance of the Broadway Corridor, but it also helps downtown keep the Merriam Insurance Agency, a 100-year-old Schenectady based business. I commend John Roth for his commitment to helping rebuild downtown Schenectady as well as the Governor and the Empire State Development Corporation for providing these much-needed funds. I also want to thank Ray Gillen and the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority for their efforts and support of this important project.”

Charles A. Gargano, Chairman of Empire State Development said, “This announcement shows that Governor Pataki’s policies and programs continue to bring important new investments to our State. The Governor’s administration will continue to make important improvements and advancements in our business policies to ensure our companies and working families the best programs to help spur jobs and economic growth. We will continue to place great importance on each and every job we keep and create in New York State. With investments like this, New York State will meet our goal to create one million new jobs by the end of this decade.”

Robert T. Farley, Minority Leader of the Schenectady County Legislature said, “John Roth and HighBridge Development has been a wonderful partner in our efforts to revitalize Schenectady. Their work on the new Time Warner building brought us hundreds of jobs. This project will continue this trend and help us in our efforts to bring new jobs and office buildings to Schenectady County”.

In addition to the seven companies investing in the new Broadway Commerce Park, HighBridge Development plans to establish “shovel-ready” building sites along Broadway that could accommodate an additional 200,000 square feet of space for future tenants. HighBridge Development will work closely with Metroplex to recruit tenants to the new space.

City Council President Frank J. Maurizio said, “the City needs jobs and revenues and this project provides both.  We appreciate the outstanding cooperation shown by all parties in making this important project a reality for Schenectady.  The potential for additional jobs and revenue is certainly there as we work together to try and attract private sector tenants to this new business park.”

John Roth, President of HighBridge Development said, “We appreciate the tremendous support and cooperation we have received from the County Legislature, Senator Farley, Mayor Stratton, the City Council, Empire State Development and Metroplex.   We are very hopeful that today’s giant step forward for the Broadway corridor will get other companies thinking about the opportunities that exist in a new and revitalized Schenectady.”

Metroplex Chair Ray Gillen said, “Schenectady now offers an exciting new in-city office/industrial park to companies looking for room to grow. We have great space, great sites, motivated employees and the most aggressive incentive packages in Upstate New York. Schenectady is winning again because we are working together to create new economic activity and jobs in our community.”

Construction of the Broadway Business Park will start by the end of June. Located in an Empire Zone, the site may be included in the federal Renewal Community if legislation recently passed by the Senate is approved by the House of Representatives. The combination of Empire Zone, Renewal Community and Metroplex incentives offer an attractive combination for companies interested in partnering with Schenectady on economic development projects.

Since forming a centralized economic development team 90 days ago, Schenectady County has announced the creation of the new Broadway Commerce Park, the relocation of the Zone Five Police Training Academy and UTECH Products to Downtown Schenectady, the move of Kimpex Inc. to the Rotterdam Industrial Park and the construction of a new Naval Reserve Base in Glenville.