Plans announced for High Tech Incubator

SUNY Fredonia, under its Center for Rural Regional Development and Governance, announced it will begin construction this year on a High Technology Incubator in the City of Dunkirk, thanks to $3 million in bonded funds received from New York State.

The funding package was put together in the 2006-07 state budget through the efforts of Assemblyman William Parment, the late Sen. Pat McGee, and Sen. Cathy Young.

The High Technology Incubator will be a two-story structure of 14,000 to 18,000 square feet that will support 10 to 15 start-up companies needing high technology infrastructure to operate. Entrepreneurs will also receive help in getting their ideas and businesses up and running, such as through development of business plans, accounting and legal services, office management, financing/venture capital strategies, and marketing plans.

Construction will begin this year on property located in Dunkirk’s downtown, Empire Zone (which offers business tax incentives) and commercial waterfront district. The site will include a two-story 14,000 to 18,000 sq. ft. high technology building that will house ten to fifteen start-up high tech businesses.

“Our intention is to provide opportunities for our own graduates as well as other entrepreneurs in or outside the area who want to apply a technology focus to any business or service,” President Dennis L. Hefner said. “We will advertise the facility nationally.”

President Hefner pointed out that students from Fredonia graduate from many programs that depend on high technology assets to operate: computer theory, computer information systems, systems software and computer applications, communication, music, sound recording technology, natural sciences, media arts, graphic arts, geographic information systems, illustration and animation, digital photography and film.

“No High-Technology Incubator exists in Chautauqua County,” President Hefner said. “We are working with the City of Dunkirk, the Dunkirk-Sheridan Empire Zone, and the Dunkirk Local Development Corporation to make this incubator a success.”