TechCity Properties, the Hudson Valley’s premier commercial real estate redevelopment site, together with Time Warner Cable Business Class, recently announced the companies have completed a project that brings an advanced communications fiber network to the 258-acre, 2.2 million square-foot TechCity complex.

“Fiber connectivity is a critical element in attracting data-dependent operations and data centers to TechCity and the Hudson Valley,” said Alan Ginsberg, Chairman of TechCity Properties, Inc.  “Creating a redundant system ensures maximum up time and gives TechCity another competitive advantage compared to other sites in the Hudson Valley and New York State.”

Ken Fitzpatrick, President of Time Warner Cable Business Class for the East Region, said, “Our early-on decision to extend our fiber network to TechCity sends a strong signal to the data center industry that this business campus stands prime and ready for immediate occupancy. As the premier telecommunications provider in New York and beyond, we look forward to serving the technology needs of TechCity tenants and businesses throughout the Hudson Valley.”

KingstonNOW, a locally produced TV news program, recently featured TechCity and all that is happening at the Hudson Valley’s leading commercial real estate site.  Sales and Marketing Director Paul Rakov gave his thoughts on why TechCity has been successful attracting solar panel manufacturing, solar thermal technology, leading-edge technology manufacturing, sustainable food production and other innovative industries.  Check it out!

The Ulster Town Board on Thursday approved a new  zoning designation for TechCity, allowing the former IBM-Kingston complex to expedite changes on its 138.4-acre east campus.

The board, by a unanimous vote, granted the request for a Redevelopment Overlay District to replace an Office Manufacturing District zone for the property.

Town Supervisor James Quigley said the change was needed to help TechCity secure new businesses for the site.

“For the most part, as long as they stay within the major concept set forth in the environmental impact statement, they can go comfortably and confidently to either a new tenant or a prospective buyer … to construct (buildings) within the envelope that we’ve defined and be reasonably comfortable they’re going to get efficient and fast town approvals,” Quigley said.

Under the proposed redevelopment plan, about  290,000 square feet of obsolete office space would be demolished;  two buildings comprising 558,000 square feet would be reconfigured for interior parking facilities; 1.3 million square feet of existing office space would continue in use, and new construction would add about 645,000 square feet.

Continue reading “TechCity Gets OK for New Land Use Zoning” »

Companies that operate at TechCity benefit greatly from the heritage the Hudson Valley has for engineering and other technology-based businesses. Aiding that effort has been the fact that SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Albany and RPI graduate so many students eager to put their knowledge to work. And now this (see video below)! Cornell University has been selected by New York City to build a major technology campus on Roosevelt Island. Great news for New York but, can it help the Hudson Valley? Yes.

Providing students the unique opportunity to attend college in New York City will make the Cornell campus internationally competitive. Many graduates will look to start their own business (the next Facebook perhaps?) but the cost of doing business in New York City is overwhelming. Starting up a business just 90 miles away at TechCity, where rents are one tenth that of Manhattan, gives any company a competitive advantage. With the Hudson Valley experiencing a technology boom and TechCity being at the forefront with companies like Precision Flow Technologies and Solartech Renewables, the addition of a high-profile technology university right down the road should provide any TechCity companies with high caliber talent with which to grow their business!

Ulster County, home to TechCity, saw its employment numbers rise last month based on the latest unemployment rate published by the New York State Department of Labor. The jobless rate fell in all Mid-Hudson Valley counties, indicating that the economy is strong and companies are finding the employees they need to grow.

In Ulster County, the October jobless rate was 7.4 percent, down from 7.8 percent in September, the department said; in Dutchess County, the unemployment rate fell from 7.2 percent in September to 6.8 percent in October.

The October jobless rates in other local counties were:

• Greene: 7.8 percent, down from 8.3 percent in September.

• Columbia: 6.8 percent, down from 7.0 percent.

• Sulllivan: 8.1, down from 8.3.

• Delaware: 7.6, down from 8.0.

• Orange: 7.2, down from 7.7.

The October unemployment rate for all of New York state was 7.9 percent, down from 8.0 percent in September, according to the Department of Labor.

TechCity was the site for an important safety training event for all Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) drivers this weekend. More than 40 participants took part in a a “Bus Roadeo,” where they took the wheel of a UCAT bus and weaved through a specially designed course in a closed-off TechCity parking lot. The drivers were challenged with moving through a series of cones simulating real-world scenarios like narrow streets, tight turns and pick-up/drop-off situations. TechCity will soon have two UCAT bus stops for the 2,200 employees who work for the 30 tenants at the complex. Based on the skill level of the drivers this weekend, passengers are in good hands!

http://www.co.ulster.ny.us/ucat/

TechCity continued its support of local community organizations by being the host site for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s annual walk for a cure. More than 200 people attended and walked the 260 acres TechCity campus, raising more than 20,000. For local news coverage, click the link below.

http://hudsonvalley.ynn.com/content/top_stories/559123/juvenile-diabetes-research-foundation-walk-in-kingston/

Over the past several years, TechCity has been moving rapidly forward on a Master Plan to transform its campus into the Hudson Valley’s premiere location for clean technology companies and related businesses. Recently, TechCity signed a landmark agreement with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and IBM, the former owner of the 260-acre property, allowing for further development of the Master Plan. TechCity hosted a press conference to announce the agreement. The press conference featured Joe Martens, Director, NYDEC; U.S. Congressman Maurice Hinchey; NY State Senator John Bonacic; NY Assemblyman Kevin Cahill; Town of Ulster Supervisor Jim Quigley; and Scenic Hudson Director Ned Sullivan. To view the press conference highlights, please click on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/user/techcityinfo?feature=mhee

TechCity is creating opportunities for many companies looking to start or expand their businesses. These companies are manufacturing real products and hiring many people to do so. The Ulster County Chamber and regional newspaper the Daily Freeman highlighted some of TechCity’s success recently in an article leading up to TechCity hosting the Chamber’s monthly business mixer. Read all the good news through the link below!

http://marketplace.dailyfreeman.com/SS/Page.aspx?secid=108023&pagenum=3&sstarg=&facing=false&

TechCity is proud to host the Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s September Membership Mixer this Wednesday, September 14 from 5-7pm. More than 250 guests are expected as we update them on all the exciting developments taking place at TechCity. It is also an opportunity for the business community to learn more about our tenants and their products, such as Earthkind Energy’s solar installations, Solartech Renewables’ “Made in the USA” solar panels, Erdman Anthony’s innovative architectural services and many others. Hosting the mixer is another example of TechCity’s unique and important role as a central hub for economic development and jobs in the Hudson Valley. We hope you can join us.

http://www.ulsterchamber.org/event-registration/?action=showEvent&id=52