Clear Channel radio affiliate WHAM-1180 Rochester hosts a weekly talk show called “Eyes on the Future,” a live, hour-long discussion focusing on Rochester area businesses and the region’s economy. Recently, Eastman Business Park representatives were invited to appear on the show to discuss some of the ongoing expansion plans at EBP, as the Park moves toward becoming a multi-purpose research and manufacturing “innovation ecosystem” for emerging clean technology companies.
Part of the conversation centered on the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council’s recent application seeking $3 million in state funding for the creation of a "fermentation cluster" at EBP – where companies would utilize the Park’s infrastructure to convert sugars and other natural substances into clean energy processes and products. EBP director Mike Alt reiterated the high level interest among numerous bio-based companies to create the kind of public/private fermentation system consortium being proposed at EBP. Kelly Mandarano, Communications Director for Eastman Kodak’s Graphics, Entertainment and Commercial Films group, added that the Park’s infrastructure is uniquely suited to plans by NY-BEST to create a commercialization enter for testing and advanced manufacturing of next generation batteries and energy storage devices. Indeed, she said, some companies have already moved to the Park to take advantage of the services offered by NY-BEST.
You can listen to the entire radio broadcast on the GRE’s website. Be sure to look for the October 19, 2013 program titled Eastman Business Park Expansions