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June 1, 2010


Hon. David Paterson
Governor, State of New York
Executive Chamber
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Paterson:

On behalf of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s 2,500 employer members, particularly those engaged in and supporting the life science and advanced manufacturing industries, I write in support of A.9810/S.6854, which will allow greater flexibility for the state’s Center for Advanced Technology (CAT). As the largest business membership organization in the region, the Partnership’s work with targeted industry clusters such as life sciences and advanced manufacturing aims to develop and expand opportunities for new technologies and innovation – a proven driver of job and business growth.

New York State innovation and innovators cannot survive without a crucial link to commercialization; state programs such as the CAT are essential to the creation of new business, high-paying jobs, and long-term investment in the community. The Partnership continues to support initiatives designed to facilitate this stage of the innovation process, including funding for start-ups through SBIR matching funding support and availability of seed funding through the state. New York State’s investment climate for high-tech start ups falls short in supporting the innovation that will drive future job creation and private sector investment.

The CAT has a proven track record of providing much-needed assistance that commercialized technologies require. High-tech start-ups traditionally have a longer ramp up process, some are involved in highly-regulated industries and many are capital intensive for some time before becoming profitable.  With your support, A.9810/S.6854 will remove some of the barriers to the CAT’s effectiveness, and will enhance the opportunities to grow New York State’s economy through innovation.

I urge your support of A.9810/S.6854.

Sincerely,

Andrew J.  Rudnick