Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Cuomo unveil expansion for Oppenheimer's headquarters; Firm to invest $15 million in its 85 Broad Street offices

According to mayor Michael Bloomberg and governor Andrew Cuomo, Oppenheimer & Co., a leading financial services firm, will make Lower Manhattan its long-term home for its expanded headquarters and invest $15 million in its new 85 Broad St. offices as a result of a large-scale restructuring of its N.Y.C. offices. To encourage Oppenheimer to retain and increase its Downtown presence, N.Y.C. Economic Development Corp. and Empire State Development worked with Oppenheimer to develop a plan to secure up to $3 million from the federal World Trade Center Job Creation & Retention Program Grant. "After the attacks of 9/11, we made a firm commitment to rebuilding Lower Manhattan and making it a more attractive place than ever to live and do business," said Bloomberg. "Today's announcement that Oppenheimer & Co. will move hundreds of jobs to Lower Manhattan is the latest evidence that our efforts are succeeding. Over the past six years alone, more than 280 firms in a wide range of industries having relocated to Lower Manhattan, and thousands of new housing units have been built in the neighborhood." "Retention and expansion of N.Y.'s world-class financial services companies is critical to revitalizing Lower Manhattan and restoring our standing as the financial capital of the world," said Cuomo. "From keeping N.Y. jobs in the hands of New Yorkers, to creating new jobs for a more robust economy, projects like these send a clear message that N.Y. is open for business and ready to succeed." "We are pleased with our decision to remain in N.Y.C., where our company has been located for over 130 years," said Albert "Bud" Lowenthal, chairman and CEO of Oppenheimer. "Our new headquarters in downtown Manhattan will allow us to consolidate our operations in a single location while lowering our overall cost of occupancy. This cost savings will permit us to reinvest these savings in growing our business in N.Y.C. and the rest of the country. We are appreciative of the assistance provided by NYS and N.Y.C. in making this decision possible." "Today's announcement is proof positive that Lower Manhattan will remain the center of the financial world for years to come," said senator Charles Schumer. "Oppenheimer & Co's decision to expand its headquarters downtown is a testament to the success of our revitalization efforts in the wake of 9/11, and sends one more clear signal that Lower Manhattan is not just back on its feet, but running full speed ahead." "For 10 difficult and busy years, we have worked hard to rebuild Lower Manhattan and recover from the utter devastation of 9/11," said congress member Jerry Nadler. "Little by little, Downtown has regenerated and reemerged as a new and dynamic hub for the City's economy and day-to-day life. The presence and expansion of Oppenheimer and Co, which will bring more jobs and economic development Downtown, is a welcome and encouraging sign of progress." "This is another key step in our continuing effort to rebuild this community by creating jobs, attracting new residents and businesses and showing the world that Lower Manhattan is stronger than ever," said assembly speaker Sheldon Silver. "This investment by Oppenheimer & Co., along with the new parks, schools and housing we have built over the last decade, clearly demonstrate that Lower Manhattan is not only the financial capital of the world, but among our city's greatest neighborhoods in which to live, work and raise a family." "The Oppenheimer & Co expansion is yet another sign that the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan is real and moving full-speed ahead," said senator Daniel Squadron. "From new jobs and businesses to revitalized open spaces, Lower Manhattan remains one of the best places in the city to live and to work. We're thrilled that Oppenheimer has made our community its long-term home." Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development and administered by ESDC in cooperation with NYCEDC, the grant and other benefits available in Lower Manhattan ultimately secured Oppenheimer's continued presence in N.Y., preventing its potential relocation to N.J. and the loss of over 1,000 financial service jobs. Under the terms of the agreement, Oppenheimer & Co. will commit to maintaining its headquarters and jobs in Lower Manhattan for at least 10 years, and can only attain full benefits under the grant if it adds 100 new jobs within five years. The HUD-funded Job Creation & Retention Program was approved in 2002 to assist businesses in Lower Manhattan that committed to remaining or expanding in Downtown after the events of September 11, 2001. Since its inception, over $257 million in Job Creation & Retention Program grants have helped gain the commitment of 70 companies to remain, expand or move to Lower Manhattan, creating and retaining over 67,000 Lower Manhattan jobs. "While New York City's economy continues to become more diverse, the financial services sector remains a critical foundation of our global competitiveness," Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel said. "Oppenheimer's decision to invest in Lower Manhattan is a testament both to New York's continued role as a global financial capital as well as Lower Manhattan's resurgence." "The redevelopment of Lower Manhattan, which continues to gain momentum, is critical to the future of our City's and State's economy," said New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky. "The decision by Oppenheimer & Co. to keep its headquarters in Lower Manhattan is a further vote of confidence in the area's revitalization." "Projects like these will support and strengthen New York's financial services industry to ensure it remains a key employer and economic force in New York City," said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams. "The World Trade Center Job Creation and Retention Program was built with companies like this in mind, to provide the greatest possible return for taxpayers and encourage businesses to grow and invest in New York. Working with Governor Cuomo and the City, we will continue to identify and deliver the tools financial businesses need to generate economic opportunity in the City and across the state." Before an agreement was reached, Oppenheimer had considered opportunities to consolidate and relocate over 1,000 of its nearly 1,400 New York City employees, including those in its 580-person U.S. headquarters located at 125 Broad Street, to either Lower Manhattan or Jersey City, New Jersey. During this time, New Jersey made it clear that it could offer significant real estate cost saving opportunities to the company due to lower lease rates and tenant improvement costs, in addition to its aggressive incentive programs, in an effort to attract 1,111 of Oppenheimer's New York City employees (the firm had plans to maintain its Wealth Management Division—with its 295 employees—in Midtown Manhattan regardless).