RELEASE: IMMEDIATE, October
17, 2002
CONTACT: Gary Davidson, NYSERDA
(518) 862-1090, ext. 3289.
A STEP in the Right Direction
Clean-Energy Companies to Fuel Empire State's Economic Growth
With the global market for clean-energy technologies expected to
reach more than $82 billion by 2010, the New York State Energy Research
and Development Authority (NYSERDA), The University at Albany, and
the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation are working to create
a home for the types of companies that will ultimately supply that
market.
In August 2001, Governor Pataki, NYSERDA and its partners announced
the creation of the Saratoga Technology + Energy Park (STEP), the
nation's first technology park dedicated solely to supporting companies
that are developing the types of clean-energy technologies that will
power the 21st Century economy. With two companies already moved into
the 280-acre park, NYSERDA has taken the first steps toward it goal
of bringing more than 1,000 new jobs to the former rocket-fuels test
site in Malta. New York's Empire State Development just recently awarded
STEP a $75,000 grant to help in the future development and planning.
"In establishing STEP over a year ago, we envisioned a campus-like
setting to attract entrepreneurial companies that could benefit from
the low-cost leases and additional tax incentives and resources available
from NYSERDA and our partners," said NYSERDA President William
M. Flynn. "In addition to the resources we can bring to bear
on new technology, we are trying to promote a business climate that
encourages these like-minded companies to share resources and knowledge
so that each can benefit from the experiences of others pursuing the
same goals."
The first company to move into STEP, the Building Performance Institute
(BPI), employs seven people to promote excellence in the building
trades via a trade-based certification process. Building performance
contractors apply a systematic approach to home-improvement that addresses
all aspects of the building system with respect to health and safety,
building durability, and energy efficiency. BPI-certified contractors
are tested on their building-science knowledge skills as well as their
ability to apply BPI's standards and perform the inspections necessary
to properly diagnose building performance. Typically, homeowners implementing
improvements recommended by BPI-certified contractors lower their
annual energy bills by 30 to 40 percent.
Starfire Systems, the first manufacturer to move into the Malta
facility, expects to employ 100 people there within the next three
years. Starfire develops and manufactures high-temperature, high-performance
silicon carbide ceramic materials using an innovative, energy-efficient
process developed through research conducted in conjunction with NYSERDA.
The materials Starfire produces can be incorporated into a number
of applications, including the semiconductor industry, which is expected
to grow rapidly in New York State with the recent acquisition of SEMATECH.
Recently, NYSERDA helped Starfire obtain a $1.7 million federal grant
from the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop
ceramic-matrix composite boards for specialized electronic packaging
systems.
On October 17, NYSERDA held an open house for Starfire Systems and
BPI to officially welcome the new tenants to the site. In remarks,
NYSERDA President William M. Flynn urged other small businesses, start-ups,
and entrepreneurs looking to develop clean-energy technologies to
consider locating in STEP. Mr. Flynn identified STEP's designation
as an Empire Zone, with resulting tax incentives, as strong considerations
for these types of emerging companies.
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