Empire State Development has announced the official opening of Tech Farm II, an expansion at the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park in Geneva, Ontario County. The new facility adds 20,000 square feet of manufacturing and ancillary space to support food, beverage, and agriculture technology businesses. The expansion is intended to serve startups and established companies that need research, product development, or small-scale manufacturing space.
Tech Farm II will double the park’s capacity and is located next to Cornell AgriTech. Since its original opening in 2005, the Technology Farm has supported more than 40 businesses. The park now includes three facilities: the original Tech Farm incubator building, Finger Lakes Community College’s Viticulture and Wine Center, and the new Tech Farm II.
Empire State Development President, Commissioner and CEO Hope Knight stated, “Innovation and commercialization continue to be top economic priorities for New York State. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, our continued investments in projects like the Tech Farm expansion are helping to attract next-generation agribusinesses to the state, creating jobs and encouraging industry growth that is helping to move the Finger Lakes region forward.”
CAFTPC Chairman Michael Manikowski said, “The current Tech Farm has been at or near capacity since it opened in 2005, demonstrating the need for this much-anticipated expansion. Tech Farm II will bring new jobs to the region and provide up-and-coming businesses with the tools they need to thrive. We’re excited to usher in a new era of food and agriculture innovation and economic development in the Finger Lakes.”
Funding for this $3.5 million project included a $1.4 million grant from Empire State Development as well as federal funding and contributions from local organizations such as the City of Geneva and Ontario County Economic Development Corporation.
U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer commented on federal involvement: “Today’s Tech Farm II grand opening is proof that investing in our local food and agriculture pays dividends for Finger Lakes job creation. From the new National Grape Improvement Center at to Tech Farm II, I’ve fought hard to deliver federal resources to turn Cornell AgriTech’s world-class innovation into economic energy, new businesses and jobs. I’m proud to have secured $1.5 million for Tech Farm II to double the Tech Farm’s capacity to attract and host new job-creating businesses, so startups can scale up and stay local, right here in Geneva. Paired with the AgriTech campus’s new USDA National Grape Improvement Center – that we broke ground on last year thanks to $68.9 million I secured – Tech Farm II will make sure New York stays at the forefront of food and agricultural innovation while creating good-paying jobs in Ontario County.”
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gilibrand added: “I’d like to congratulate the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park Corporation on the grand opening of Tech Farm II. With access to Cornell AgriTech and a rich tapestry of agricultural businesses in the heart of the Finger Lakes, this will be an invaluable resource for entrepreneurs. Expanded manufacturing and processing capacity will address a significant outstanding need for this industry. I’ll keep fighting for federal resources to ensure that New York remains the preeminent destination for food and agricultural research and innovation.”
State Assemblymember Jeff Gallahan remarked on local benefits: “It is very exciting to see this facility completed to help support our agricultural, manufacturing and food-processing businesses throughout the Finger Lakes region. As a small business owner and an advocate for small businesses and agricultural communities statewide, I fully support the opening of CAFTPC’s Tech Farm II expansion. This project will welcome future generations of hardworking New Yorkers, help our agricultural businesses expand and flourish, revitalize our communities throughout the Finger Lakes region and drive New York’s economy forward.”
Executive Director of Ontario County Industrial Development Agency Ryan Davis also commented: “The Ontario County Economic Development Corporation is proud to have been a part of this important collaboration to help deliver first-class manufacturing space for our growing food and agricultural businesses. Tech Farm II is a perfect example of the wonderful things we can accomplish while working together. Agriculture and manufacturing is at the heart of Ontario County economic development and we look forward to working with tenants of both Tech Farm I and now Tech Farm II to continue to grow and thrive here.”
The CAFTPC is one of 20 certified business incubators recognized by New York State; these incubators offer extra resources aimed at supporting tenant companies within key industries across regions like Finger Lakes.
The announcement aligns with “Finger Lakes Forward,” which is a regional strategy designed around investments in major sectors including photonics, agriculture/food production, advanced manufacturing (more information can be found here).
For more details about Cornell Agriculture & Food Technology Park visit the official website.
Empire State Development serves as New York’s main agency focused on economic growth through initiatives such as regional councils supporting job creation across all ten regions; it also manages programs related not only business assistance but broadband access via ConnectALL office (more details available at esd.ny.gov).
