Glens Falls Lands Major Tenant for New Tech Meadows Campus

GLENS FALLS, NY (07/14/2011)(readMedia)-- Agreement Reached to Locate First Tenant at Tech Meadows Campus

Joint Announcement by Greater Glens Falls Local Development Corporation and UA Local 773 Glens Falls Building Corporation:

Chairman of the Greater Glens Falls Local Development Corporation( LDC) Mayor Jack Diamond and Larry S. Bulman President, UA Local 773 Glens Falls Building Corporation have jointly announced the following:

Local 773 has agreed to acquire a 5 acre parcel and construct a 17,000 to 20,000 sq ft workforce development training and apprentice, journeyman building at the Tech Meadows Campus (just a half a mile from exit 18 of Northway) Project is expected to commence late this fall or early 2012 with completion in one year.

This project represents the first tenant at Tech Meadows and today's announcement signifies the commitment of advancing employment opportunities in this upstate region - jobs, jobs, jobs.

At a time when unemployment remains high, opportunities exist for this region to provide training and retraining for our workforce and a positive future for our residents.

This state of the art facility will offer clean Room Technology for - Medical device firms, and firms such as Global Foundries.

Additionally this building will offer apprentice and journeyman programs, brown field training, development of green jobs and training ; safety and health training and other training and retraining for the workers, unemployed , returning veterans across the Upstate region of Warren, Washington, Saratoga, Essex and neighboring Vermont.

The Glens Falls Economic Development Group and Local 773 will work and partner with NYS Department of Labor, Federal Department of Labor, US HUD , Workforce Development organizations, Regional Work Force Investment Boards, area employment groups, area schools and colleges and universities to bring these programs to this site.

Tech Meadows project has received significant support from the US Department of Commerce( EDA), NYS ESDC, National Grid, the Lake Champlain Lake George Regional Planning Board(Walter Young) , Glens Falls Economic Development Group and elective officials including Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senators Charles Schumer, and former Congressman Scott Murphy .

This facility is being recognized as a major catalyst for the future of work force development initiatives in this region as indicated by comments herein:

GOVERNOR CUOMO & EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT

"Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, ESD is proud to be a key partner in the development of Tech Meadows Industrial Park, which is poised to meet the future demands of global businesses and supports the innovation economy that is growing so rapidly in the Capital Region," said Empire State Development Capital Region Regional Director Peter Wohl. "We applaud the City of Glens Falls and UA Local 773 for their work in bringing a facility that will not only strengthen our existing workforce but also drive job growth and economic activity in the greater Glens Falls area and beyond. It is this type of project that reaffirms the Governor's message that New York is open for business."

SENATOR KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND

"This is the right investment for Glens Falls," U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said. "The high-tech industry holds the power to rebuild our economy for the 21st century, and no other state is poised to lead in the high-tech economy of the future like New York. The Tech Meadows Industrial Park will attract new investments to the region – creating new good-paying jobs right here at home and revitalizing our local economy."

STATE SENATOR BETTY LITTLE

"Skilled workers ensure the best outcome for companies looking to invest, grow and prosper in this competitive global economy," said Senator Betty Little. "The job market continues to evolve and training ensures people have the ability to adapt and succeed."

NYS AFL CIO PRESIDENT DENIS HUGHES

The New York State AFL-CIO (Denis Hughes President) commends" President Larry Bulman and UA Local 773, along with the City of Glens Falls for this groundbreaking partnership. By working together, all parties involved have created a road map for others across this state to follow. Training, re-training and educating our workforce will lead us on a path to what should be New York's most important goal moving forward – job creation."

ASSEMBLYWOMAN TERESA SAYWARD

"It is wonderful to see Glens Falls, ESDC partner with UA Local 773 on a new economic initiative" says Assemblywoman Sayward. "By adding new clean space for manufacturing Glens Falls will be able to capitalize on the needs of the medical device and AMD. People in Glens Falls and the whole region will benefit from this partnership."

LOCAL 773

Business Manager 773 Larry Bulman stated the entire membership at Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 773 is very excited about the opportunity to return to Glens Falls where we were chartered nearly 93 years ago. We look forward to building the first 'Green' training facility for construction workers in Upstate New York. We are also excited to continue the leadership role we have played in the Adirondack region by being the catalyst to bring high tech industry to the new Tech Meadows campus."

UA

United Association - International Representative, James Cahill Quote: "I am thrilled but not surprised that Business Manager Larry Bulman and his team have decided to build a new, state-of-the-art training facility to teach the next generation United Association members the skills required to become a skilled journey-worker in the building and construction trades. Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 773 is and continues to be one of the most progressive, forward thinking unions in the building trades today. That is why they are growing every year and have prospered during some of the most severe economic times."

LOCAL CONTRACTOR RON GORDON

Ron Gordon, owner -R.F. Gordon Mechanical, Inc., South Glens Falls, NY Quote: "I have been in the plumbing and mechanical business for 44 years and an owner for 17 years. We stay competitive when the Union dispatches manpower that works safe, is educated and the most professional in their trade. In the market we are in today, I certainly have an advantage when I utilize a workforce that is highly skilled using the most up-to-date training and techniques in the industry today. This new training facility proposed for Tech Meadows will only add great value to this fine organization."

BACKGROUND

Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 773 was chartered April 12, 1919 in Glens Falls, NY. Local 773 represents over 450 union trained Plumbers, Pipe Fitters, Steam Fitters, Refrigeration Fitters, and Service Technicians (covering the entire Adirondack Region including Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties)

Local 773 parent organization is the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada, is based in Annapolis, MD.

Local 773 members are highly trained craftsmen who fabricate, install, and service residential, commercial, and industrial piping systems; working in various facilities including: Chemical Plants, Health Care Facilities, Hi-Rise Apartment Buildings, High-Tech Facilities, Hotels & Motels, Office Buildings, Paper Mills, Pharmaceutical Plants, Power Plants, Processing Facilities, Private and Public Schools, Single-family Homes, and Supermarkets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:CONTACT

ED BARTHOLOMEW

518 761 3833 P 518 796 9887 C GFEB@NYCAP.RR.COM