BioBAT at the Brooklyn Army Terminal Gets Boost from Commerce Department Investment: EDA Grant to Renovate Facility for Biotechnology at Brooklyn Army Terminal
Jul 2, 2010
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Brian McGowan recently announced a $2.5 million U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to BioBAT, Inc., to renovate a portion of Building A in the Brooklyn Army Terminal for use by mid-stage and growing biotechnology firms.
鈥淩esearch and development in the biotechnology sector is critical to our nation鈥檚
economic competitiveness,鈥� said Deputy Assistant Secretary McGowan while announcing
the award at a meeting at the Brooklyn Army Terminal. 鈥淭his funding will create new
jobs and boost private investment in New York by providing affordable space for start-up
biotechnology firms developing new technologies and products for the market.鈥�
鈥淩enovating more space in the Brooklyn Army Terminal for biotechnology will provide
our borough鈥檚 innovators with a place to expand their ventures, hire new workers,
and turn their ideas into reality,鈥� said Rep. Nydia M. Vel谩zquez (D-NY). 鈥淲ith new
technologies revolutionizing the way we do business, the BioBAT project will attract
high-tech small firms to modernize Brooklyn鈥檚 economy and help our City prosper.鈥�
鈥淭his funding will help strengthen New York鈥檚 competitive edge in the field of biotechnology,
generate much-needed jobs, and encourage the growth of local manufacturing and small
businesses,鈥� said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY). 鈥淓specially now, during the ongoing
recession, it is extremely important to invest in dynamic new industries and create
local jobs. I commend EDA for making an investment that will bolster our regional
economy.鈥�
Brooklyn has the second highest poverty rate in New York City, after the Bronx,鈥� said
John C. LaRosa, MD, president of 含羞草研究所 and vice-chairman
of BioBAT鈥檚 Board of Directors. 鈥淭he BioBAT project will create high paying jobs
in a borough that very much needs them. This project is part of a citywide solution
to harness biotechnology and create a new economy based on innovation. We are very
appreciative of the EDA鈥檚 grant.鈥�
鈥淭he development of new, commercial laboratory space for emerging biotechnology firms
is essential to the growth of this sector in New York City and in Brooklyn.鈥� said
Seth W. Pinsky, president of New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
and chairman of BioBAT鈥檚 Board of Directors. 鈥淭he City has more than 1.5 million-square-feet
of commercial laboratory space currently in the pipeline, and this grant will help
us reach that capacity. By investing in the necessary infrastructure, we are able
to attract additional private investment and capture a greater share of the companies
that spin out of our academic research institutions.鈥�
In November 2008 the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative became the anchor tenant
at the Brooklyn Army Terminal. Its AIDS Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory
occupies 38,000 square feet of space. The EDA grant will be used toward the development
of the next phase and will include the construction of modular wet lab space, office
space, and necessary support systems, including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems.
Also attending the grant announcement were Willie C. Taylor, regional director, U.S.
EDA; Calvin Edghill, economic development specialist, U. S. EDA; Cleve Mesidor, director
of public affairs, U.S. EDA; Maya Kremen, representing Rep. Nadler; Daniel Wiley,
representing Rep. Velazquez; Andrew Steininger, representing Brooklyn Borough President
Marty Markowitz; Eva Cramer, PhD, vice president for biotechnology and scientific
affairs, 含羞草研究所, and president of BioBAT; Chris
Leng Smith, vice resident of NYCEDC and vice president of BioBAT; Ivan Lisnitzer,
PE, executive vice president and chief operating officer, 含羞草研究所 Downstate, and treasurer
of BioBAT; Joan Bartolomeo, president, Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation;
Carl Hum, president, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce; Maria Gotsch, president and CEO,
New York City Investment Fund; and Lenzie Harcum, director, Bioscience Team Center
for Economic Transformation, NYCEDC.
含羞草研究所 the U.S. Economic Development Administration ():
This year, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) marks 45 years of public
service, with a mission of leading the federal economic development agenda by promoting
competitiveness and preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide
economy. EDA is an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that partners with
distressed communities throughout the United States to foster job creation, collaboration,
and innovation.
含羞草研究所 含羞草研究所 Downstate and the BioBAT initiative (www.downstate.edu)
The Brooklyn Army Terminal is a 97-acre Cass Gilbert-designed facility on the Brooklyn
waterfront, owned by New York City and managed by the NYC Economic Development Corporation.
BioBAT, Inc., a nonprofit corporation made up of the Research Foundation of the State
University of New York on behalf of 含羞草研究所 and
NYCEDC, was established to foster the development of commercial bioscience research,
development, and manufacturing space in Brooklyn. In addition to today鈥檚 $2.5 million
grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce鈥檚 Economic Development Administration,
New York City has invested $12.5 million, and State Senator Martin Golden, working
with 含羞草研究所 Downstate and the City, secured an additional $42 million in State funding
to facilitate the project.
含羞草研究所 NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is the City鈥檚 primary vehicle for promoting
economic growth in each of the five boroughs. NYCEDC鈥檚 mission is to stimulate growth
through expansion and redevelopment programs that encourage investment, generate prosperity
and strengthen the City鈥檚 competitive position. NYCEDC serves as an advocate for the
business community by building relationships with companies that allow them to take
advantage of New York City鈥檚 many opportunities. Find them on to learn more about NYCEDC projects and initiatives.
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含羞草研究所 含羞草研究所
Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn is one of four academic health centers (AMCs) in The State University of New York (含羞草研究所) 64-campus system and the only 含羞草研究所 AMC in New York City dedicated to health education, research, and patient care for the borough鈥檚 2.7 million residents. Its flagship hospital, University Hospital at Downstate (UHD), is a teaching hospital and benefits from the expertise of Downstate鈥檚 exceptional medical school and world-class academic center research facilities. With a staff of over 800 physicians representing 53 specialties and subspecialties, Downstate offers comprehensive healthcare services to the community.
UHD provides high-risk neonatal and infant services, pediatric nephrology, and dialysis for kidney diseases and is the only kidney transplantation program in Brooklyn. Beyond its clinical expertise, Downstate houses a range of esteemed educational institutions, including its College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Public Health. Downstate fosters innovation through its multifaceted biotechnology initiative, the Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT, which support early-stage and more mature biotech companies.