Governor Hochul Announces Ocean Insight to Expand Operations in Monroe County Creating up to 100 New Jobs

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that Ocean Insight, a spectroscopic systems developer and manufacturer, is ready to expand its Monroe County operations and committing to creating up to 100 new jobs over the next five years. Ocean Insight cited the significant resources and expertise available in the Finger Lakes region related to photonics and imaging as reasons for the expansion. While the bulk of the company's operations are in Orlando, Florida where it is headquartered, the project will see the company expand its current manufacturing space in its Village Gate location in the City of Rochester to better meet customer needs. Now underway, Ocean Insight expects the building expansion at the Anderson Avenue site to be completed in by October 2022.

"Ocean Insight's incredible expansion in the Finger Lakes will only add to the region's momentum as a destination for high-tech business and innovation," Governor Hochul said. "Even more importantly, this expansion will continue to accelerate job growth throughout the region, which remains laser-focused on the industries of tomorrow. Through strategic partnerships with companies like Ocean Insight, New York is continuing to revitalize our economy by attracting businesses to develop and expand across the state."

Ocean Insight's equipment can measure both light and color and is used in a wide range of applications, including high-volume production quality control, medical imaging, food and agriculture, and air and water analysis.

Ocean Insight's President and CEO Dr. Michael Edwards said, "The Rochester and greater Finger Lakes region is the perfect place to expand our Applied Systems business unit. The deep technical resources of the area combined with a diverse and positive community make it a great location for Ocean Insight. We thank the Governor and the State of New York, Monroe County, and the City of Rochester for supporting our expansion in New York State."

Empire State Development is providing up to $1 million through the Excelsior Tax Credit Jobs program in exchange for the performance-based job creation commitments. The company plans to invest almost $1.8 million to expand at their Village Gate location and purchase new machinery and equipment. Monroe County, the City of Rochester, RG & E and Greater Rochester Enterprise are also assisting with the company's growth in the region.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, "New York State's strategic investments have helped establish the Finger Lakes region as a visionary optics, photonics and imaging hub. Our focused commitment to workforce development and 21st century jobs means that companies like Ocean Insight can continue to grow here, with a pipeline to the critical tech talent they need."

The Finger Lakes region is world-renowned in the light-based manufacturing field. Not only is it home to the AIM Photonics Testing, Assembly and Packaging facility (TAP), but to the University of Rochester's Institute of Optics, the Rochester Institute of Technology and to over 100 local optics, photonics and imaging companies. With the workforce, technology base and support network in place, the region continues to cement itself as the global industry leader, driving economic growth and creating opportunity for generations to come thanks to the commitment of companies like Ocean Insight.

State Senator Samra G. Brouk said, "Our neighbors in Village Gate, Ocean Insight, are providing cutting-edge manufacturing jobs for our community and helping our region lead the state and nation into the innovative economy of the future. By providing targeted investments and implementing a comprehensive Finger Lakes Forward initiative, New York State is using the economic promise of tomorrow to feed our families and better our community today."

State Assemblymember Demond Meeks said, "For over a century, Rochester has been home to a thriving optics industry thanks to the efforts and innovations of bedrock companies such as Bausch and Lomb and Eastman Kodak. As we work towards the revitalization of our city, we must continue to provide well-paying jobs and meaningful careers to the members of our community. I am grateful to the family and staff of Ocean Insight for demonstrating their commitment to the people of Greater Rochester."

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, "Ocean Insight's expansion in Monroe County reflects our region's continuing advancement as a hub for technology and innovation. This substantial investment highlights the strength of our local economy and of our robust, diverse and skilled workforce. I thank the Ocean Insight team, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Empire State Development for their ongoing commitment to our community."

City of Rochester Mayor Malik Evans said, "I want to congratulate the team at Ocean Insight on the success that is driving this significant expansion and thank them for making this investment in Rochester. I am also grateful to Governor Hochul and Empire State Development for retaining and growing jobs in Rochester's innovation economy through Finger Lakes Forward. Together we are advancing our goal to create a safe, equitable and prosperous Rochester."

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO and Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair Bob Duffy said, "Ocean Insight is the latest company to recognize that the Finger Lakes region is an ideal place to grow as an optics, photonics, and imaging leader, thanks to world-class talent from our area colleges and universities, incredible industry resources, and an invested community. We welcome President and CEO Dr. Michael Edwards and his team and look forward to working to support their continued success."

President and CEO Greater Rochester Enterprise Matt Hurlbutt said, "Ocean Insight's expansion is an endorsement for the incredible depth and breadth of resources available throughout the Greater Rochester, NY region to accelerate the growth of optics, photonics, and imaging companies. More than 150 optics, photonics, and imaging companies located in the Greater Rochester, NY region capitalize on the workforce and technical expertise available, fueled by outstanding engineering talent trained at Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester."

For additional information about Ocean Insight, visit: https://www.oceaninsight.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.