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State Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm A. Smith (D-St. Albans), Senators Darrel Aubertine (D-Cape Vincent) and Dave Valesky (D-Oneida) recently visited the Northeast Biofuels plant in Fulton and discussed efforts to revitalize the Upstate economy by focusing on burgeoning green technologies and green jobs.
“What is happening in Fulton is truly remarkable with several new green industries taking root in an existing and once abandoned manufacturing facility,” said Senator Smith. “It started with the Northeast Biofuels, and now it is growing. We need to replicate this model across Upstate by enacting policies that support green industry and that create green technology manufacturing jobs.”
The Northeast Biofuels plant is located at the 420-acre Riverview complex, which was a former Miller Brewery. The brew house has been re-purposed to become one of the largest ethanol plants of its type in the nation, and first in New York State, with plans to produce 114 million gallons of ethanol per year. Production at the plant will begin as early as next week. Because of the ethanol production, other related firms are coming to the region – and many more are considering such a move.
While there, the three Senators met with NEB board members and the Riverview Business Park and discussed expansion and growth of green jobs in the region. Central New York is fast becoming known as a national leader in green jobs, with the recent Battelle report noting the area has 419 firms and 10,290 jobs in green-technology.
“This region is already a leader in energy production. Now we are gaining a reputation as a leader in green energy and related technologies,” said Senator Aubertine. “With the right focus and support, we can turn the energy challenges we face as a nation into opportunities for Fulton and all of Central and Northern New York. We can put old factories like this one into operation again and put our people back to work.”
Senators and the business leaders agreed that opportunities for future growth and jobs in green technologies are immense, with regional manufacturing facilities, educational institutions and a skilled workforce geared to adapt to green technology opportunities. These assets, combined with the support of the Empire State Development Corporations and the commitment of State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli to green technologies, offer great hope for the regional economy.
“From manufacturing facilities and skilled workers, to world-class educational facilities, we have all the tools necessary to make Central New York and the North Country a leader in green technology,” Senator Valesky said. “These are no longer far-fetched ideas. It is happening all around us. With the right policies and focus, we can take this opportunity and turn this trend into a real economic engine.”
Senator Smith and the Upstate Caucus members toured the plant and met with local green technology business leaders as part of an Upstate Caucus effort to capitalize on green technology as an economic development opportunity. What is happening in Fulton is just one of the many examples of green tech growth across Upstate New York.
The Senators are currently developing a Green Jobs Initiative that will re-purpose unused manufacturing facilities; improve cooperation between educational institutions and industry to create a green job pipeline; and refocus state resources to support investment in these burgeoning industries.
“We have the workforce and the entrepreneurs in place. The region is gaining a reputation as an industry leader,” Senator Smith said. “With the right support, incentives and policies, we can ride this green wave into the new economy. We are ready and willing to do our part to make it happen here in Central and Northern New York and across Upstate.”
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