Senator Kennedy Praises ‘Buffalo Billion’ Investment to Jumpstart Clean Technology Industry in WNY

After unveiling of Buffalo High-Tech Manufacturing Innovation Hub @ RiverBend, Kennedy applauds Governor Cuomo’s intelligent public investment that is spurring private investment and creating hundreds of new jobs.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Senator Tim Kennedy, a Buffalo Democrat and the ranking member on the Senate Economic Development Committee, praised the newly-announced “Buffalo Billion” investment to build the Buffalo High-Tech Manufacturing Innovation Hub @ RiverBend. Kennedy says it will spark the development of a thriving clean technology industry in Western New York. Kennedy joined Governor Andrew Cuomo at his announcement today, and commended the Governor for his targeted public investment along the Buffalo River – which will spur substantial private investment and create hundreds of new jobs.

“Buffalo is on an economic winning streak. Teamwork and hard work is leading to new work for Western New Yorkers,” said Senator Tim Kennedy. “By investing in the growing industry of clean technology, New York State will help put Buffalo at the cutting edge of new discovery and set this region forward on a path toward sustained economic growth. Governor Cuomo is making a sharply intelligent investment here with the Buffalo billion initiative. The Buffalo High-Tech Manufacturing Innovation Hub will spur unprecedented private investment and create hundreds of new jobs here in Western New York. 

“For far too long, Albany had ignored Buffalo and Western New York, but over the last few years, under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, that has changed – and in a big way. The economic revival of Buffalo and Western New York is now a priority for the state, and it’s because Governor Cuomo has led the way in directing new investment to our region. On behalf of a grateful Western New York, I say, ‘Thank you Governor Cuomo.’ Thank you for keeping your promise as you continue to deliver on the Buffalo Billion. Thank you for your confidence in the people of Western New York, and thank you for this substantial investment in Buffalo’s bright future.

“Western New York became a leader in clean energy production when we harnessed the power of Niagara Falls so many years ago. This Buffalo billion investment will help our state and region live up to our legacy of innovation, attract new industry and spur job creation.”

Governor Cuomo announced today the state will invest $225 million from the Buffalo billion to construct a new clean-energy campus at the RiverBend industrial site – which will create hundreds of new jobs. Two new companies based in California, Soraa and Silevo, are relocating to the Buffalo High-Tech Manufacturing Innovation Hub and will create 850 new permanent jobs. The two companies are investing a collective $1.5 billion in this project. The project will also create at least 500 construction jobs. It’s expected the state investment will lead to several hundred additional jobs in the future, as new manufacturing companies are attracted to the state-of-the-art facilities.

The 90-acre RiverBend site is the former home of Republic Steel. New York State’s $225 million investment will build necessary infrastructure such as water, sewer, utility and roads, and it will finance the construction of 275,000 square feet of facilities for Soraa and Silevo. As additional manufacturing firms are attracted to the RiverBend site, new facilities will be built to accommodate their needs. 

Click here for more information from Governor Cuomo's office. 

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Senator Timothy M. Kennedy represents the New York State Senate’s 63rd District, which is comprised of the town of Cheektowaga, the city of Lackawanna and nearly all of the city of Buffalo. More information is available at http://kennedy.nysenate.gov.