Construction officially kicked off on Wednesday for the transformational expansion of CenterState CEO’s Tech Garden in downtown Syracuse. The project will include a two-story, 46,000 square-foot addition, renovations to the facility’s existing space, and updates to the on-site mechanical and security systems.
Expansion of The Tech Garden, which is home to the New York state supported GENIUS NY competition, also includes a 5,000-square-foot roof terrace for uncrewed aerial systems companies to launch and test drones, a 3,000-square-foot meeting room with seating for up to 180, private tenant offices for 35 additional resident startups, coworking areas, an expanded hardware space for prototype and product development, and a new entrance. The building will receive an entirely new façade, while the expanded space will also allow for enhanced programming to support inclusive entrepreneurial growth, at all stages of their startup journey and regardless of industry.
The expanded facility will serve as the anchor of Syracuse’s City Center Innovation Hub, a core component of the Syracuse Surge economic development strategy, and will serve as the gateway to the “Innovation Alley” on Warren Street in Syracuse. This project will work to connect major assets like the Marriott Syracuse Downtown Hotel and Convention Center, while expanding the ability of the incubator to accept new businesses. It will continue to be the central hub for the GENIUS NY program, bringing UAS companies from around the country and world to Syracuse, as well as the new Syracuse Surge Accelerator, a one-year in-person accelerator that supports Black-Indigenous-Persons of Color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs in launching tech-related and tech-adjacent startups.
“The expansion of CenterState CEO’s Tech Garden facility will be critical to our strategy to make Upstate New York the next major hub for innovative, high-tech, 21st century businesses,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “With these new state-of-the-art facilities and additional seats for start-up companies, CenterState CEO will be able to continue its important work to expand the innovation economy in Central New York and set promising, early-stage businesses on a path for success. My administration is committed to supporting organizations like CenterState working to spark growth, empower businesses, and boost the local economy.”
State Senator Rachel May said, “The expansion of CenterState CEO’s Tech Garden further cements Central New York’s place as one of the premier technology hubs in the country. It ensures that more tech businesses will call this area home, bringing high-paying jobs and boosting the local economy. This project will also help continue the success of the Tech Garden’s GENIUS NY Accelerator program, creating a larger space for tech startups to innovate and bring their inventions to market. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her work on this exciting investment to continue the momentum of Syracuse’s resurgence.”
State Senator John W. Mannion said, “I am thrilled to see the expansion of The Tech Garden in downtown Syracuse. This project will provide a much-needed boost to our local tech ecosystem and help to create even more jobs in the region. I am grateful to Governor Hochul and Empire State Development for their support of this important project.”
