Rochester, NY—Kodak is pursing the sale of Eastman Business Park (EBP), one of the nation’s largest industrial and technology parks. The company believes the site can best continue its transformation into a multiuse, multi-tenant industrial facility under the ownership of a firm focused on its redevelopment. At the same time, it’s projected that EBP’s sale will help Kodak maintain its focus on its commercial imaging businesses.
“Eastman Business Park is already on the path to becoming a powerful economic growth engine for our region and a vibrant center of invention to several technology sectors,” said Jeff Clarke, CEO of Kodak. “A strong new owner will expedite that process. At the same time, Kodak needs to focus on what it does best: innovating and delivering superior solutions to customers around the world. Selling EBP is the right move for the right reasons at the right time.”
Kodak will continue to support the growing tenant and owner base, now numbering more than 50, including several Fortune 500 companies, and in continuing initiatives with government and economic development officials to attract new tenants.
“New York State’s commitment to Eastman Business Park remains resolute. EBP is a critical center of employment for the Rochester economy and the growth of EBP is the highest priority of the Finger Lakes Region Economic Development Council. We will continue to work with Kodak and a potential new owner to ensure stability and attract more private investment and advanced manufacturing jobs to EBP,” said Kenneth Adams, president, CEO and commissioner, Empire State Development.
“Hundreds of new high-tech research and advanced manufacturing jobs have been created at Eastman Business Park over the last two years,” said Brad W. Kruchten, president, Graphics, Entertainment and Commercial Films Group. “The site is now positioned to realize its potential to develop new, cutting-edge technologies, especially in functional films, energy storage and bioscience and biofuels. We will identify a buyer who shares our vision for the great potential of this site to be a robust job creator.”
Kodak also reasserted its commitment to maintain a significant presence at the site, encompassing research, development and manufacturing activities, including two new projects focused on production of films for touch-screen sensors in collaboration with UniPixel and Kingsbury.
EBP encompasses 1,200 acres in the city of Rochester and town of Greece. Its infrastructure support includes a power plant with 125 megawatts of capacity, water supply and wastewater treatment facilities, security and emergency services, and an in-plant railroad. kodak.com
