FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10/29/2015

GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES NEW SORAA LED MANUFACTURING FACILITY WILL CREATE 420 NEW HIGH TECH JOBS IN CENTRAL NEW YORK

Industry leader in Ultra-High Performance Lighting and LED Technologies will Invest $1.3 Billion Over 10 Years

SUNY Poly's Hub for Emerging Nano Industries will be Home to Soraa’s Global Manufacturing and Research and Development Operations

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that Soraa, an industry leader in ultra-high performance lighting and LED technologies, will relocate its global manufacturing and research and development operations from California and overseas to SUNY Polytechnic’s Central New York Hub for Emerging Nano Industries. This move will create 420 new high tech jobs in Central New York and is being made possible thanks to a $90 million state investment for the facility's construction.

"Central New York's economic growth is due in large part to high-tech companies like Soraa that recognize the region’s wealth of assets and resources,” Governor Cuomo said. "Today's announcement not only means economic stability for the region, but it also strengthens Central New York as a leader in the development of the clean technology that will help light and power the future."

New York State's investment through SUNY Poly will build and equip an 82,500 square foot state-of-the-art facility and leverage at least $1.3 billion in private sector investment over the next 10 years. In accordance with the Governor’s innovation driven economic development model, no public funds will go to a private company and the facility will be a state asset. Construction is on pace for shell completion by the end of this year with production beginning in the second half of 2016.

Soraa's move to Central New York allows for the creation of 300 direct, new high-tech manufacturing jobs and 120 research and development support jobs, with Soraa collaborating with SUNY Poly to attract and locate an additional 170 support jobs from Soraa contractors and suppliers at or in the proximity of the facility. These support jobs will be retained for a minimum of five years. Click Here (or here for TV-quality) to view a video about the facility and the development of Upstate New York's high-tech corridor.

Additionally, SUNY Poly is in active discussions with BOCES and other educational partners on developing first of their kind job-training partnerships specific to the advanced technologies being developed and manufactured by the Hub’s anchor tenants. This will provide both the skilled high-tech workforce needed to support these burgeoning industries and career paths for Central New York students.

Senator John DeFrancisco said, “The jobs and investment that Soraa is bringing to Central New York will play a vital role in the transformation of this community. The Governor has been a close partner and a leader in revitalizing the Upstate economy – and thanks to that commitment, places like Central New York are being given real opportunities to lift themselves up and transition into the new economy. Today, this strategy is proving itself in the purest form: jobs for Central New Yorkers.

Senator David Valesky said, “Today is an historic day for economic development in Central New York. By restoring the vibrant manufacturing industry that this region was home to years ago, we are generating an economic revolution that will continue to support our community’s businesses and families for years to come. The Legislature and Governor Cuomo have worked to invest in Central New York’s assets to create economic opportunities and attract businesses and today is an example of the success we have achieved. I look forward to continuing working with the Governor and other partners to keep the economic energy of Syracuse moving forward.”

Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli said, “Soraa is yet another innovative technology company that has chosen Central New York – its talent and its resources – in which to grow and expand. Thanks to Governor Cuomo's vision for growth, this investment is an important step forward in our region's success, and a perfect illustration of what can happen when government and business work together.”

Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney said, "Today is another reminder of the fact that Central New York's economy is on the rise. Soraa's decision to invest in our community is tremendous news that will bring hundreds of jobs and more than a billion dollars in private sector investment to the region. I am tremendously grateful to everyone involved in making this development possible - from Soraa's management team to Governor Andrew Cuomo, who's leadership is continuing to open the door to new opportunities for New Yorkers in our county."

President and CEO of SUNY Poly Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros said, "By taking Albany's nanotechnology-based public-private economic development model across New York State, Governor Andrew Cuomo has established an unmatched engine for long-term growth, and this latest announcement is a perfect example of how his jobs-focused strategy continues to pay dividends. SUNY Poly is thrilled to partner with Soraa to locate this advanced manufacturing facility and its resultant jobs, as well as the hands-on educational offerings that this will present for New York’s students, adjacent to the Film Hub in Syracuse, where the company's cutting edge lighting technology can be adapted for production purposes. Each component of this collaboration is further proof that the Governor’s unique vision for crafting commercialization and manufacturing-based opportunities is a powerful recipe for a resurgent New York.”

Soraa CEO Jeff Parker said, “Syracuse is an optimal location for the new fabrication facility for a number of reasons including the innovative high-tech vision and strategy of Governor Cuomo; the ability to attract some of the best and brightest scientists and engineers in the world; and the capacity to tightly control the product quality and intellectual property around our lighting products through our partnership with SUNY Poly CNSE. Since we launched our first product in 2012, global market reception for our high quality of light LED products has been phenomenal and sales have soared. The new facility will significantly increase our manufacturing capacity to meet this growing demand.” Soraa will be physically located in the Collamer Crossing Business Park directly across from the Central New York Film Hub allowing for research collaboration and adaption of its lighting technology to meet the needs of the entertainment industry. It joins previously announced partnerships at the Hub including Wing and Prayer Pictures and The Film House. While originally slated for Riverbend in Buffalo, space limitations required the company to look at other options. Through a comprehensive site selection process, the synergy with the Central New York Hub for Emerging Nano Industries made the region a natural fit that also provided the company with ample space to build and grow in partnership with SUNY Poly.

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Additional news available at www.governor.ny.gov

New York State | Executive Chamber |press.office@exec.ny.gov | 518.474.8418

https://youtu.be/pEhIHg1QPHc