Senator Lavalle Joins Suny to Announce Next Phase of the Agriculture Consumer Science Center at Calverton

Senator Kenneth P. LaValle (3^rd from left) joined with Stony Brook University and local government officials to announce the next phase in the construction of the 8,500-square-foot Agriculture Consumer Science Center (ACSC) at the Calverton Incubator.  Senator LaValle was instrumental in securing a $3.5 million grant for the ACSC, which will be an addition to the existing 15,680-square-foot Incubator.  According to the University, construction will be let for public bid within the next month and ground could be broken as early as late winter.  The ACSC will house resources that will help wine and agricultural producers and local entrepreneurs to develop new, marketable consumer items, as well as enhance their existing product lines.

“I am pleased to have secured the state funding needed to set this project in motion and believe that this investment will help boost our local economy,” said Senator Ken LaValle.  “This is a unique opportunity for our agricultural community to expand and maintain their economic viability, while also creating new jobs and improving our region’s ability to remain competitive in the global marketplace.”

(l-r) Riverhead Town Councilwoman Jodi Giglio, Long Island Farm Bureau President Frank Beyrodt, Senator Ken LaValle, SUNY President Dr. Samuel Stanley, Riverhead Chamber of Commerce 1^st VP Janine Nebons,  SUNY VP Economic Development and Dean of Engineering Yacov Shamash, SUNY Incubator at Calverton Manager Monique Gablenz, Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter