Media Advisory: Incubator Grand Opening
New era in business begins with opening of new SUNY Fredonia Business Technology Incubator
Who:
• Dr. Dennis Hefner, President of SUNY Fredonia
• Brian Higgins, U.S. Congressman, NY-27th District
• Catharine Young, New York State Senator, 57th District
• William Parment, New York State Assemblyman, 150th District
• Joseph Giglio, New York State Assemblyman, 149th District
• Gregory Edwards, Chautauqua County Executive
• Richard Frey, Mayor, City of Dunkirk
• Robert Gioia, president of the John R. Oishei Foundation
• William Daly, Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency Director
• Thomas Carpenter, local representative of Governor David Paterson
• Robert Fritzinger, Business Technology Incubator Director
• Dr. Kevin Kearns, Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research
• James Laposta, Jr., Architect, JCJ Architecture
• Various other regional government, business and community leaders, and members of
SUNY Fredonia’s Cabinet, College Council and other senior college officials.
What:
The grand opening of the new SUNY Fredonia Business Technology Incubator, a major collaborative economic development effort occurring in Northern Chautauqua County. The new, 21,000-square-foot facility will offer a variety of resources to up to 30 start-up companies. To qualify for tenant consideration, the companies simply need a significant technology component within their business model, as well as a commitment to remain in Western New York (not necessarily Chautauqua County) after they “graduate.” No prior affiliation to the university or the region is necessary.
During this ceremony, the inaugural class of incubator tenants will be revealed, and representatives from some of those firms will be on hand to answer questions, as will the facility’s new director, Robert Fritzinger.
When: Monday, Dec. 21 at 11 a.m.
Where:
214 Central Avenue, near the corner of East 2nd Street in downtown Dunkirk, N.Y.
Background: The new Business Technology Incubator is a partnership between various levels of government, the Western New York business community and the university. It represents the first true extension of the SUNY Fredonia main campus at 280 Central Avenue in Fredonia. The incubator will house numerous technology start-up companies, offering them access to a wide range of support, including infrastructure, business planning, marketing, finance, accounting and legal consulting, and other shared services. Its goal is to help entrepreneurs start successful technology-based businesses with strong growth potential that are committed to Western New York.
The project has been steadily supported by numerous members of the community, including Assemblyman Bill Parment, Congressman Higgins, Senator Young, Assemblyman Giglio, and County Executive Edwards. Support from the community has been strong as well, including funding from NYSTAR, the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency and a matching grant from the John R. Oishei Foundation, which has sparked donations from several area businesses.
The SUNY Fredonia community will also be able to collaborate with incubator tenants, ranging from faculty-sponsored research to student internships and potential jobs. To learn more, visit www.fredonia.edu/incubator.
