Rotterdam, N.Y., August 19, 2008 -- The Galesi Group today announced the grand opening of it\'s new Small Business Hub in Building 3 at the Rotterdam Corporate Park on Route 7 in the Town of Rotterdam following a $3 million renovation project. The goal of the 270,000 square foot facility, located in the region\'s largest business park, is to create jobs new jobs in Schenectady County.
David M. Buicko, Chief Operating Officer of the Galesi Grop said, \"Today\'s grand opening is the result of a partnership betwen Empire State Development, National Grid, Schenectady County, Metroplex and the Town of Rotterdam. This project will help position Schenectady County to become the location of choice for fast growing small businesses. Now that Building 3 is completely renovated, we will have a very attractive option for post-incubator stage companies. We believe this is an underserved segment of the local real estate market.\"
The renovation of the nearly 270,000 square foot facility includes new roads, parking areas, and infrastructure as well as a new facade, rebuilt docks, and a new roof. Building 3 has been subdivided into 24 sections consisting of approximately 11,000 square feet designed to accommodate the needs of small to mid-size businesses. Each section has a new \"store-front\" entrance that opens into an office and or showroom which can be built to suit the specific needs of prospective tenants. The south side of each section can be accessed by a new dock and overhead door which leads into an area that is ideal for a wide array of light assembly, manufacturing, or warehouse applications. Economic assistance to this project was made available by Empire State Development\'s Restore NY program and National Grid\'s Industrial Building Redevelopment Program.
\"National Grid is pleased to have awarded a $100,000 Industrial Redevelopment Grant to this important project, and to help Galesi Group, Metroplex and Schenectady County in their ongoing efforts to build a solid economic base,\" said National Grid Regional Executive William Flaherty. \"Our program is designed to help transform older, underutilized buildings into high tech, multiple use facilities, and that\\\'s exactly what is being done here in Schenectady.\"
\"This project helps to distinguish Schenectady County and the Capital Region as a prime location for growing businesses,\" said State Senator Hugh T. Farley. \"As start-ups move beyond the incubator stage, they\\\'ll have room here in Rotterdam to employ more workers and to increase their production capacity. The more attractive we can make our communities for small and growing businesses, the more jobs we can create and retain.\"
\"It is truly welcome news that this initiative is going forward for Rotterdam and our Schenectady community,\" said Assembly Repulican Leader Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Schenectady-Saratoga). \"Today\'s announcement will mean new jobs, increased investment in Rotterdam and a strengthened local economy that serves as a model for future economic development projects. Our message is that Rotterdam is a terrific place to live, work and do business,\" Tedisco stated.
\"This collaborative project shows that Schenectady County is more than ready to meet the needs of small businesses and industry,\" said Assemblyman George Amedore. \"The Rotterdam Corporate Park is an ideally situated distribution hub, which is a necessity for many local, national, and international clients. Foresight and vision have come together to make this facility the best in the region; we are building upon past successes and looking toward the future.\"
The Rotterdam Corporate Park was constructed by the United States Army during the 1920\'s to serve as a depot for the storage and deployment of mlitary equipment. After being decommissioned by the Federal Government in 1969, Francesco Galesi purchased the 245 acre property and has converted it into the Capital Region\'s largest business park. Consisting of over 4 million square feet, the Rotterdam Corporate Park is home to 50 businesses with approximately 1,100 employees.
Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature said, \"Working in cooperation with the Galesi Group for the past four years, Schenectady County has attracted more than $50 million in new investments to the Rotterdam Corporate Park. This project will create attractive and affordable space for fast frowing small businesses that will add to our tax base and create more jobs for Schenectady County.\"
Steven A. Tommasone, Rotterdam Town Supervisor said, \"This project further exemplifies Rotterdam\'s commitment to support the redevelopment of Rotterdam\'s Corporate Park. Good-paying manufacturing, distribution, and vocational jobs will be available here in our community as a direct result of the investment the Galesi Group has made. Restoring and enhancing this building is another achievement of successful public-private partnerships, leveraging the resources necessary to create good jobs for the working families of Rotterdam and Schenectady County.\"
Recent developments at the Park resulting from the cooperative efforts of the Galesi Group in partnership with Metroplex, Schenectady County and the Town of Rotterdam include the construction of Railex USA\'s 225,000 square foot East Coast distribution hub, Golub Corporation\'s 150,000 square foot freezer facility, and FedEx Freight\\\'s 55,000 square foot regional distribution hub. In addition, the Rotterdam Corporate Park recently welcomed Huff N\' Puff as a new tenant with its 9,000 square foot headquarters operation as well as Op-Tech Environmentsl Services. Metroplex is currently working to purchase from New York State a 260,000 square foot building at the Rotterdam Corporate Park so that additional space can be prepared for growing companies.
\"The success of the Rotterdam Corporate Park is a testament to the Galesi Group\'s vision and significant financial investment,\" said Chuck Steiner, President of the Chamber of Schenectady County. \"True economic development is defined by the creation and retention of jobs and Galesi has done just that with the Rotterdam Corporate Park.\"
Based in Rotterdam, New York, the Galesi Group is among the largest real estate development companies in the State. Its extensive holdings include approximately 10 million square feet of commercial space in the Albany area as well as property in New York City, California, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Colorado, and Texas. While the Galesi Group is primarily in the business of real estate development, the company also owns and operates a property management company, a third-party logistics company as well as oil and gas businesses. For additional information about the Galesi Group, see www.galesi.com.
