Governor Hochul Announces CooperVision Will Invest $62 Million to Expand Operations at Two Monroe County Locations Creating More Than 170 New Jobs

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that CooperVision will expand operations at two separate locations in Monroe County, creating to up to 173 new jobs. Citing an increase in global demand for its contact lenses and a growing product portfolio, the company will invest more than $38 million to significantly renovate its current facility and expand, by 150,000 square feet, its packaging and distribution facility on Thruway Park Drive in West Henrietta. The company will also complete a $24 million renovation of its manufacturing operations on North Road in Scottsville to better accommodate current and future product growth. The West Henrietta project will be completed by the summer of 2023. The updated manufacturing facility is also expected to be operational by the end of 2023.

"CooperVision has long been an important economic driver for Monroe County and the surrounding communities by providing quality jobs for hard-working New Yorkers," Governor Hochul said. "By supporting the company's investments in the Finger Lakes, we continue to demonstrate New York's steadfast commitment to fostering the growth of innovative businesses that will help move the Finger Lakes forward for generations to come."

The West Henrietta center processes and ships nearly one billion contact lenses each year to customers in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific markets. As a part of its commitment to workforce health and safety, environmental responsibility, and renewable energy, CooperVision also plans to seek Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification as part of the expansion. Currently, all the company's facilities across the Greater Rochester region are powered by 100 percent renewable energy.

Founded in 1980, CooperVision, a division of CooperCompanies, is the 2nd largest manufacturer of contact lenses in the world. The company produces a full array of daily disposable, two-week and monthly soft contact lenses, available in more than 130 countries, that feature advanced materials and optics, and premium rigid gas permeable lenses for orthokeratology and scleral designs. The company conducts extensive ongoing research and development in optical and collaborates closely with eye care professionals who help to identify the evolving needs of contact lens wearers around the world. In September of 2021 CooperVision was named as one of Fortune's best large workplaces in manufacturing and production.

The company's current local workforce includes more than 1,000 employees at its corporate offices in Victor, Ontario County, at the manufacturing facility in Scottsville and the packaging and distribution center in West Henrietta. Globally, CooperVisionemploys more than 12,000.

CooperVision President Jerry Warner said, "Our West Henrietta site is one of the most technologically advanced distribution centers of its kind. Every day, our team—aided by innovations such as autonomous mobile robots and heads-up wearable displays—packages, stores, and ships millions of contact lenses to eye care professionals and consumers in multiple countries. The investment in additional packaging capabilities, storage technology, and upgraded warehouse management solutions enhances our industry-leading customer service reputation. Embracing and implementing sophisticated technologies is also essential for our Scottsville contact lens manufacturing facility, which is a jewel in our global network of production sites. We are excited by the opportunity to continue our technology and employee investment in the Finger Lakes region."

Empire State Development is assisting the company with its continued growth in the region by providing up to $1.5 million in performance-based Excelsior Tax Credits at each project site in exchange for the company's job creation commitments. RG & E, Monroe County and Greater Rochester Enterprise are also providing assistance for the company's expansion.

Empire State Development Acting President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, "CooperVision's planned expansion, investment and continued commitment to Monroe County showcases the opportunities for economic growth in the Finger Lakes region. These innovative projects not only benefit from the area's skilled and talented workforce, but will further build a tech ecosystem that is creating jobs both now and for the future."

State Senator Patrick Gallivan said, "CooperVision's commitment to expand and invest in Monroe County will provide employment opportunities for residents of the Finger Lakes Region and speaks to the continued economic growth of the area. I congratulate company leaders and wish them continued success."

Assemblymember Harry Bronson said, "CooperVision's choice to expand here in Monroe County shows the vitality and economic growth our region continually fosters. As Chair of the Assembly's Economic Development Committee, I am proud to see these kinds of investments being made here at home. The jobs created by this expansion will help to ensure more skilled workers coming from our local colleges and universities stay here in Monroe County. This is a win for our entire community."

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, "Monroe County is proud to support CooperVision's expansion projects, resulting in the creation of more than 170 jobs. CooperVision's commitment to Monroe County shows we have the workforce needed to meet the demands of today's high-tech businesses and adds to our momentum as the region transitions into a global hub for technology and innovation. I thank CooperVision, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Empire State Development for their continued investment in our local economy."

Henrietta Town Supervisor Stephen L. Schultz said, "CooperVision has been a major employer in Henrietta for years, so it is great to see them thriving and expanding their presence in Henrietta."

Village of Scottsville Mayor Maggie Ridge said, "CooperVision has and will continue to be a great neighbor and partner in the Village of Scottsville. Investments such as these are important, not only for the jobs they create, but as solid evidence of their commitment to remain in Scottsville and in New York State.

Carl A. Taylor, President and CEO of NYSEG and RG&E said, "We congratulate CooperVision on their continued growth and leadership in innovative technologies and job creation in our community. This expansion of CooperVision's facilities is a prime example of the environmentally-sound growth we seek to be a strategic business partner in."

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO and Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair Bob Duffy said, "As one of the world's leading manufacturers of contact lenses, CooperVision is a major success story for our region. Their expansion and the creation of 170 new jobs underscores the fact that Greater Rochester is a place where smart companies can thrive. We thank President Jerry Warner and the CooperVision team for continuing to invest in our region and people with this exciting expansion."

Greater Rochester Enterprise President and CEO Matt Hurlbutt said, "CooperVision's expansion reinforces the Greater Rochester, NY region's role as the world leader in optics, photonics, and imaging, supported by a skilled workforce, fully integrated supply chain, and affordable cost of doing business. We look forward to working with CooperVision leaders as they continue to expand their presence in this community."

CooperVision, a division of CooperCompanies, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of contact lenses. Learn more about CooperVision at www.coopervision.com.

CooperCompanies is a global medical device company that operates through two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. Learn more about CooperCompanies at www.coopercos.com.

Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward

Today's announcement complements "Finger Lakes Forward," the region's comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture and food production, and advanced manufacturing. Now, the region is accelerating Finger Lakes Forward 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 8,200 new jobs. More information is available here.

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development (ESD) is New York's chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of "I LOVE NEW YORK," the State's iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.