4 years ago
By Rich Kellman Senior Correspondent
They came to claim credit, as well they should, many in attendance told us. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Congressman Tom Reynolds, Governor George Pataki,as well as local representatives, in Buffalo to launch a revolution. "Economic revolution," Pataki told the crowd, "leading the way to the jobs of the 21st century."
They broke ground three years ago for the bioinformatics building. Computer power combined with laboratory experiments. Four thousand computers linked by two miles of cable, burning $10,000 a month in electricity, cooled by enough air conditioning for 40 houses in July. Shedding light on diseases in record time, bringing jobs and respect to Buffalo.
"One of the things you'd like to see," says researcher Norma Nowak, "you'd like to see this city have a place on the map."
To have that place on the map, the project partners now include Roswell Park, the Hauptman-Woodward Institute and as of Friday, the University at Buffalo.
"We're going to see the results," said Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, "We already have seen people coming here, bringing talent, their expertise and their staffs."
Total employment is expected to be around 500, with thousands more jobs in the private sector.
Dr. Nowak was born and raised in Buffalo. "I have two children who've grown up in this town," she says, "and I've stayed here because of family, because of friends, and I would like to see this town be able to bring them back after college is over."
Sen. Charles Schumer addresses the crowd: "It's hope and it's jobs, two things we want very much to succed in here in Western New York," he says.
With simultaneous snips from scissors handed out to the dignitaries, the blue ribbon is cut in front of the new Center of Excellence building.
The entire project cost more than $200-million, $80-million from Albany, $27-million from Washington, with the rest from foundation grants and private donations.
