Smart investment. Here and now: Saratoga County

Saratoga Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) is gearing up for prosperity in Saratoga County, and development opportunities are here now. Saratoga County is home to AMD spin-off GLOBALFOUNDRIES, a semiconductor manufacturing foundry, which is one of the largest projects under construction in the United States. This 1.3 million s/f chip fabrication plant, Fab 8, sits on a 223 acres site within the 1,414 acre Luther Forest Technology Campus. GLOBALFOUNDRIES is currently considering expanding Fab 8 by 400,000 s/f and they also master planned the site to accommodate two more mega fabs. Fab 8 is positioned to attract numerous support businesses. It is estimated that it will draw between six to eight prime equipment suppliers, 10 to 15 secondary equipment suppliers, six to 10 material suppliers, six to 10 equipment installation contractors and typical foundry clients such as AMD and other design houses. Not only will the completion of this facility bring new businesses and investment dollars to Saratoga County, it will also grow and expand the businesses already contributing to our economy. Fab 8 will require services such as garment cleaning, facility equipment maintenance and part servicing, catering and food supplies for the onsite cafeteria, outsourced labor including janitorial, security and general site maintenance such as recycling, trash and plowing. What has happened within the past ten years has solidified the region and enabled us to actively market our assets to the global marketplace. Saratoga County has created the perfect environment to attract suppliers, research and development and other high-tech businesses to this area. SEDC is also actively working to recruit targeted industry sectors such as clean tech, bio tech and nanotech. M+W Group, a German based international leader in the construction of high tech production plants and infrastructure recently relocated its North American headquarters from Plano, Texas to the Capital Region. When M+W U.S. president Rick Whitney was asked why they moved to upstate New York he said, "We have found it critical to have our home base where the action is - and the action is clearly in New York state." My staff and our partners have been working tirelessly with communities, property owners and developers throughout Saratoga County to help prepare for the anticipated economic impact and growth that will accompany GLOBALFOUNDRIES. One of our more imminent needs is the development of "flex" buildings, which combine Class A office space with light manufacturing/warehousing. Saratoga County has the opportunity right now to expand its structural offerings by developing these "flex" buildings for incoming tenants and businesses. Just this year some of SEDC's members involved in industrial and commercial real estate received shovel ready certification from New York State and purchased additional industrial zoned property. Abele Builders and Munter Enterprises are just two examples of local developers that recognize the importance of site planning and preparation for future economic growth in Saratoga County. We've helped them throughout the approval processes and are now working to market their property to suppliers and other businesses. Saratoga County is offering the industry a fully equipped, prepared and welcoming business environment, ready to work and ready to succeed. This is just the beginning of what's to come for this region, not only in the semiconductor industry, but also as a technology hub for biotech, nanotech, pharmaceuticals and renewable energy. Your opportunity to invest is now and we are here to help. Dennis Brobston is the president of Saratoga Economic Development Corporation, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.Dennis Brobston, Saratoga Economic Development Corp.