Northstar Technology Center Earns Expanded START-UP NY Designation

“It’s a win-win situation for the partners — the companies get tax breaks, and our students get experiential learning opportunities nearby. They will have the skills necessary for their first jobs immediately after graduation.”

Keith Tyo, campus coordinator for START-UP NY at SUNY Plattsburgh, said Empire State Development recently approved the amendment that will add the majority of enclosed space and adjacent vacant land at the former Pfizer Pharmaceutical facility to the campus plan.

“We have added more than 298,000 square feet of space in six buildings and 35.7 acres of adjoining land at the Northstar Technology Center to attract new business to the vacant facility,” Tyo said. “We hope Northstar Private Capital will be able to use the designation in its redevelopment efforts at the former research plant.”

The ultra-modern research and development/manufacturing complex is located six miles south of the Canadian border adjacent to the William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute. Within a mile of Interstate 81, the tech center boasts:

•39,000 sq. ft. of modern office space

•Redundant networking and data fiber and 10 conference rooms

•Vivarium and multi lab spaces

•Four substations with 9,500 KVA electrical services

•Three interconnected emergency generators

•180 GPM water capacity and a 30,000 gallon storage

•High capacity onsite waste water treatment facility

•Incinerator for pathological wastes

•Duel-fuel heating plant, including natural gas

The vacant land is construction-ready and has access to the existing systems for electricity, water, waste water treatment and emergency power at the existing facility.

Tyo said START-UP NY-qualified businesses and their new employees would get several tax breaks to reduce the burden on new companies for up to 10 years.

“The businesses can be exempted from paying state business taxes, including sales, franchise and corporate taxes,” he said. “Qualified employees could be exempted from paying state income tax for up to 10 years as well.”

Stephen Podd, president of Northstar Private Capital, said the commitment of Empire State Development and SUNY Plattsburgh to attracting new businesses and job creation in the North Country of New York state is relentless.

“Their partnership in the redevelopment of the Northstar Technology Center is pivotal to our success and the START-UP NY program in our region.”

The designation of the Northstar Technology Center within the college’s amended plan as a tax-free zone does not preclude other non-START-UP NY businesses from landing there.  In fact, the designation might be useful in landing subcontractors that would like to locate a major business nearby.

Companies interested in the START-UP NY program at SUNY Plattsburgh, including the campus plan, can learn more by contacting Tyo at 518-564-3930 or [email protected].