Small businesses interested in locating in Rotterdam will have a new place of refuge thanks to $3 million in renovations to Building 3 in the Corporate Park.
The Galesi Group unveiled a new small business hub Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the Corporate Park, where flexible space can be rented for use by small to mid-size companies.
`This project will help position Schenectady County to become the location of choice for fast-growing small businesses,` said David Buicko, chief operating officer of the Galesi Group. `Now that Building 3 is completely renovated, we will have a very attractive option for post-incubator stage companies.`
He said space for small business is an `underserved` area of the local real-estate market.
The new 270,000-square-foot facility is subdivided into 11,000-square-foot sections to serve up to 24 companies’ specific space needs. Spaces could include a `store-front` entrance for office or showroom space; or a back entrance, which could be accessed by a dock or overhead door for manufacturing, assembly or warehouse operations.
Renovations to the building include a new faCade and roof, in addition to rebuilt docks. New roads and parking areas were constructed.
`This was something we were happy to approve,` said Angelo Santabarbara, chairman of the Rotterdam Industrial Development Agency.
He said the IDA provided sales tax exemption to the Galesi Group.
`It’s a good use for the building,` Santabarbara said.
Officials said they hope the hub, which was a joint effort between Empire State Development, National Grid, Schenectady County, Metroplex and the Town of Rotterdam, will bring new jobs to the region.
`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,` Rotterdam Supervisor Steven Tommasone said. `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.`
Assemblyman James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, echoed Tommasone’s excitement over new jobs saying, `Today’s announcement means new jobs, increased investment in Rotterdam and a strengthened local economy that serves as a model for future economic development.`
Other areas of the park, which have recently been developed, include the Railex USA’s east coast distribution hub, Golub Corporation’s freezer facility, and a regional distribution center for Fed Ex Freight.
Metroplex is also looking to purchase a 260,000-square-foot building from the state to provide additional space for growing companies in the Corporate Park, which is located on Route 7 in Rotterdam, near Interstates 90 and 88.
The Corporate Park contains 19 buildings that average 268,000 square feet each, providing distribution and manufacturing space, as well as office space.
“