Governor Hochul Tours Corning Pharmaceutical Glass Packaging Facility

Governor Kathy Hochul today visited the Corning Innovation Support Center in Big Flats and Corning's Research and Development Facility at Sullivan Park. The company is a leading producer of pharmaceutical glass packaging, which has been crucial in the deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine. In fact, the company has facilitated the delivery of over 3 billion vaccine doses thanks to its advanced vials and pharmaceutical glass tubing portfolio. Corning is one of the world's leading innovators in materials science, with a 170-year track record of life-changing inventions. The company combines its unparalleled expertise in glass science, ceramics science, and optical physics with proprietary manufacturing and engineering capabilities to develop category-defining products that transform industries and help move the world forward.

"Corning plays a vital role in keeping lifesaving vaccines in constant supply, and the company's work is helping revitalize the Southern Tier's economy," Governor Hochul said. "Through its innovative technology and production of pharmaceutical vials, Corning is helping ensure the safe and efficient distribution of vaccines all across the country. Thanks to New York's investments in Corning's pharmaceutical packaging facility expansion, we are helping win the fight against COVID, while also exceeding job growth projections which is critical to the revitalization of our economy."

Wendell P. Weeks, Corning's chairman and CEO, said, "We're proud to do our part in the fight against the pandemic, and Corning continues to stand ready to partner with our customers and our communities to help prepare for future public health emergencies. We're grateful for the support of leaders like Governor Hochul, who has been a great advocate for continued economic investment in the Southern Tier."

Corning is one of the largest employers in New York, with 7,000 employees across the state and over 6,000 in the Southern Tier. In 2017, New York State announced it was supporting the growth of the company's pharmaceutical operations in the Southern Tier. Corning had committed to creating up to 185 new jobs as a result of the growth. To date, they have in fact exceeded that commitment, creating more than 200 new jobs in its Pharmaceutical Technologies business. Empire State Development offered up to $6 million through the Southern Tier Soaring Upstate Revitalization Initiative for the purchase of equipment and for infrastructure improvements at the site. Corning will also receive up to $1.75 million through the Excelsior Tax Credit Program in exchange for those job creation commitments. The total project cost is $95.5 million.

Senator Tom O'Mara said, "It's a great source of pride that America has turned to Corning Incorporated's expertise, innovation, and cutting-edge technology in the fight against COVID-19. Valor Glass has been a remarkable achievement and helped secure a prominent place for the Southern Tier on the national map of research and development, and advanced manufacturing. The remarkable, cutting-edge production of this revolutionary pharmaceutical glass packaging has created hundreds of good jobs and strengthened the regional economy, while at the same time playing a fundamental role in America's response to the pandemic. New York State's investment in this project has resulted in enormous benefits locally, statewide, and nationally. We are proud that Corning Incorporated represents our region so well and continues a proud tradition of anchoring Southern Tier communities and economies."

Assemblyman Phil Palmesano said, "Corning Incorporated's production of Valor Glass, which now plays a central role in the nation's fight against COVID-19, has highlighted the Southern Tier, like never before, as a national leader for innovation and high-tech manufacturing. We remain grateful to Corning Incorporated for its continued innovation and investment right here in the Southern Tier. This production line alone has created hundreds of quality jobs, helped spark regional economic growth, and improved the lives of countless families and entire communities. We look forward to continue working with Governor Hochul to make it a priority to foster manufacturing through these critical state investments in local employers."

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend said, "We are so proud of the ingenuity of the workforce here in the Southern Tier. I applaud each worker at Corning for their role in fighting the pandemic with their production of Valor Glass vials to contain COVID-19 vaccines. Our local manufacturing and research are keys to the solutions of the many modern challenges we face today, and I look forward to continued excellence from our Southern Tier industries."

For additional information about Corning Incorporated, visit: https://www.corning.com/worldwide/en.html

Accelerating Southern Tier Soaring

Today's announcement complements "Southern Tier Soaring," the region's comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving innovation. Now, the region is accelerating Southern Tier Soaring with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative. The State's $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion - and the region's plan, as submitted, projects up to 10,200 new jobs. More information is available here.