SUNY Fredonia hires director for new high tech incubator

Jeffrey D. Corcoran of Ballston Lake, N.Y., has been named director of the SUNY Fredonia High Technology Incubator in Dunkirk, N.Y. He is responsible for all aspects of operating the facility, which was created last year with funding from New York State, SUNY, and New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR).

The incubator is in the design phase and is expected to be built in 2008. Meanwhile, temporary office space has been established in downtown Dunkirk’s Empire Zone and incubator space will be opening shortly. Mr. Corcoran took charge April 2 at offices in the Stearns Building on Central Avenue, and is already involved in developing strategic plans and marketing for the facility.

The incubator was established through SUNY Fredonia’s Center for Rural Regional Development and Governance (CRRDG). Mr. Corcoran reports to Dr. Leonard E. Faulk, executive director of the CRRDG, and to an Incubator Advisory Committee. JCJ Architects of Hartford, Conn., have been selected to design the 25,000-square foot facility, which carries an estimated cost of $4.7 million (see news release).

“We are excited to welcome Jeff Corcoran to the project,” SUNY Fredonia President Dennis L. Hefner said. “We created this facility to attract new businesses in the high technology sector to our region, and then to help them flourish here. Jeff has the experience we were looking for to make this happen.”

For the past six years, Mr. Corcoran was the executive director of the Schenectady County Community Business Center in Schenectady, N.Y. The center produced over $19 million in economic impact in five years. As overall manager, he was responsible for establishing the non-profit status of the center. He counseled existing and start-up businesses through education, business incubation, mentoring, and loan advising. He also designed the incubator’s tenant space, developed its services, programs, and education courses, and instituted financial controls, budgeting, and reporting.

In 1988 he founded a consulting firm in Ballston Lake that continues to provide a wide range of business services to retail firms. Clients receive recommendations on management, finances, location, store layout and design, pricing, marketing, merchandising, customer service, and staffing.

He graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in administration, and completed his MBA at SUNY Albany. He is a member of numerous national and regional business and professional organizations, and was active in the New York State Capital Region chambers of commerce and other business and professional groups. He has taught business courses at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs.

Mr. Corcoran can be reached by telephone (716-363-6352) and e-mail. Information on SUNY Fredonia’s High Technology Incubator can also be found on the web.