Gov. Andrew Cuomo during his 2017 State of the State speech in Buffalo on Jan. 9, 2017. (image from New York Governor’s Office)

ALBANY – With scandals continuing to plague the state Capitol, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday rolled out a series of ethics reforms that are similar to previous proposals, but which have  so far failed to get approved by the state legislature.

“We are limited by our public support, and if that legislature and if our executive wants to really do all they can, we need to improve the public trust,” Cuomo said during the final of his six regional State of the State addresses in Albany.

The state Legislature last year grappled with the convictions on corruption charges of the former leaders of the Senate and Assembly and in September, Cuomo’s own office was rocked by scandal. His former top aide Joseph Percoco and economic development czar Alain Kaloyeros, then president of the SUNY Polytechnic Institute, were among nine people charged with alleged kickbacks and bid rigging involving upstate projects.

Last month, Cuomo sought to get the Legislature to agree to a package of ethics reforms as part of a deal for their first pay raise since 1999. But the deal fell apart, and now Cuomo is trying yet again to get lawmakers to approve his sixth attempt at ethics reform.

Cuomo’s 10-point proposal released on Wednesday is largely the same ideas he put forth last month: limiting lawmakers’ outside income; imposing term limits; and eliminating a loophole that lets companies open LLCs to skirt campaign-contribution limits. He also again proposed a system of public financing for elections and bolstering the state’s Freedom of Information Law by requiring the Legislature to comply. For the executive branch, he would install greater oversight of the state’s contracting process, including at the state’s public colleges.

Some of the measure have been backed by lawmakers, but Republicans who control the Senate have largely opposed limits on their outside income — which is the key issue that led to the conviction of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan.

It remains to be seen how much of the new proposal will be accepted during this current legislative session.

A rendering of what the future Athenex facility in Dunkirk will look like once completed.

DUNKIRK, NY – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Thursday announced a major expansion of Athenex that will create 1,400 jobs throughout Western New York, including 900 in Dunkirk.

This announcement, made possible by a partnership with the SUNY Polytechnic Institute, includes a major expansion of Athenex’s North American headquarters at the Conventus Building in Buffalo, as well as the creation of a state-of-the-art, 300,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Dunkirk. The combined projects are expected to yield a $1.62 billion investment over ten years from Athenex, along with $225 million from New York State.

“Western New York’s economic transformation has captured the attention of companies and investors around the globe,” said Governor Cuomo. “The business development environment in and around Buffalo has made it clear to cutting-edge companies that this is the right place to put down roots and thrive. Whether it’s pharma-based development, medical research, clean technology or advanced manufacturing, this region is defined by incredible opportunities and potential for growth. I am proud to congratulate Athenex – which could have gone anywhere – on beginning this exciting new chapter, creating good-paying jobs and further strengthening the region’s and state’s economy.”

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Athenex was founded at the University of Buffalo and expanded in 2003 with a ten-year funding stream committed by more than one hundred local business and medical leaders in upstate New York.

Dr. Johnson Lau, Athenex CEO and Chairman said: “We have been incredibly impressed by Governor Cuomo’s leadership to attract significant new jobs within New York State. His commitment to economic development has successfully permeated an impressive ‘Open for Business’ culture we have not seen anywhere else. We also want to thank Dr. Alain Kaloyeros at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. This collective leadership in New York is accelerating the transformation of the State’s economy into a global leader of next generation manufacturing across many industries. With this partnership, millions of cancer patients around the world will benefit from the oncology drugs made in New York.”

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, founding president and CEO of SUNY Polytechnic Institute, said: “This one-two punch for Buffalo and Western New York by an established and respected home-grown company like Athenex is another clear sign that Governor Andrew Cuomo’s innovation-driven economic development strategy is powering job creation and revitalization across Upstate New York. For a company that already operates around the world to make the business decision to grow in New York speaks volumes about what Governor Cuomo has built. The workforce, attitude, and momentum in Buffalo and across Upstate has New York competing – and winning – on a global scale.”

Howard Zemsky, President, CEO and Commissioner, Empire State Development said: “This significant expansion by Athenex, through a combined state and private investment, not only reinforces the dynamic business climate that has taken hold in Buffalo and Western New York, but it validates Governor Cuomo’s vision for the creation and development of a local economy that attracts outside business interests and, in the case of Athenex, keeps a homegrown company in the community that fostered its initial development. This is a perfect example of the Governor’s determination to support business development in our region through unique public/private partnerships that will provide cutting-edge, good-paying jobs that are sustainable.”

Athenex will invest a minimum of $1.62 billion in Western New York over the next ten years in labor, materials and supplies. 1,400 new direct and indirect jobs (500 jobs in Buffalo and 900 in Dunkirk) will be created in areas such as: high-tech manufacturing, product formulation, regulatory, pharmacovigilance, headquarter staff and suppliers and providers of service to the company. New York State, through the SUNY Polytechnic Institute, will invest a total of $225 million in the Buffalo and Dunkirk locations. Specifically:

• Dunkirk: The state will invest $200 million to create the High Pharmacy Oncology Manufacturing Facility, which Athenex will use to manufacture sterile high potency oncology drugs in a specialized, controlled environment for shipment around the world. These drugs are some of the most important oncology drugs globally for patients suffering from cancer. The plant will also specialize in manufacturing oncology pharmaceutical products, which often show up on the FDA’s drug shortage list. A specialized plant such as this has not been built in North America in over 15 years. The facility will be located off Lake Shore Drive East (Rte. 5), just northeast of the Dunkirk city line.Athenex will invest a minimum of $1.52 billion in the High Pharmacy Oncology Manufacturing Facility and it will create 900 jobs in the Dunkirk area. The state will own the facility and tools purchased for it. A renderings of the facility can be viewed here.
• Buffalo: The state will invest $25 million to expand and improve the sixth floor of the Conventus Building on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Athenex will occupy 51,000 square feet under a long term lease for its North American Headquarters, a formulation product development center and a pilot plant, where oncology products are perfected and refined before the technology is transferred for large scale production in Dunkirk. Athenex will invest a minimum of $100 million and is expected to create a total of 500 jobs in Buffalo. The state will lease the 6th floor space and sublet it to Athenex for a ten-year term with an option by Athenex to add on an additional ten years. Construction in the office space started August 2015; lab work will begin soon and is expected to be completed this fall.

The partnership with New York State secures the Athenex’s presence and growth in the state and provides for significant high paying new jobs in multiple locations in Western New York. This partnership also accelerates the goal of converting investments made in medical research into long term sustainable manufacturing jobs in high tech pharmaceutical products.

Today, Athenex is global with multiple offices and manufacturing facilities located in: Buffalo and Clarence, NY; Cranford, NJ; Taipei, Taiwan; Hong Kong; and Chongqing, China. Athenex’s large investors include some of the most successful technology entrepreneurs in the world such as Ma Huateng, named in 2014 by Time Magazine as one of the most influential people in the world and one of China’s most successful investors. The Athenex Board of Directors reflects its global presence and includes such participants as Kim Campbell, the 19th Prime Minister of Canada and Song-Yi Zhang, former Vice Chairman, Managing Director and Department Joint Head of Morgan Stanley Asia.

Congressman Tom Reed said: “We care about the working families that hope to make Chautauqua County and the rest of Western New York a place to call home for generations to come. For too long, these families have borne the brunt of a struggling economy and thankfully that is about to change. It’s only right that we work together across party lines and all levels of government to make New York State, and Chautauqua County, more competitive. Today, we can celebrate these efforts and be glad that we will bring over 900 quality, family sustaining jobs back from out of state, and around the world. We couldn’t be more pleased by the news and want to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo, State Senator Cathy Young and State Assemblyman Andy Goodell for standing with Chautauqua County and making this investment in Western New York.”

Senator Catharine Young said: This announcement – hundreds of jobs being created and more than a billion dollars being invested right here in Dunkirk – is proof that things are moving forward in Western New York. Our region is stronger, more prosperous, and more competitive today because of Governor Cuomo, and I am thrilled that we are continuing to build on that progress not just today – but in a way that will have a positive impact for years and years to come.

Assemblyman Andy Goodell said: This is easily one of the most exciting announcements for Dunkirk and Chautauqua County that I’ve seen as a state legislator, and I’m sure the same is true for many of you who have lived in the region for years like me. Athenex’s expansion will create hundreds of good-paying jobs and bring more than a billion dollars of private sector investment right here to Dunkirk. I’m proud to stand with Governor Cuomo today for this exciting announcement that will continue to bring future growth and prosperity to Chautauqua County.

Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan said: I am thrilled to see Athenex staking their future successes right here in Chautauqua County. This announcement will mean benefits to our community years into the future, and it puts us on the map for other private sector businesses to see in a way that is truly unparalleled. Governor Cuomo’s support in making this happen has been tremendous, and I look forward to working with him again in the future to continue growing the economy in Chautuaqua County.

Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas said: “This is a tremendous day for Dunkirk and our part of Chautauqua County. I’m excited to see Athenex move in, bringing with them more than a billion dollars in investment and nearly a thousand new jobs. This shows that the state and Governor Cuomo truly are committed to helping our region succeed, and I can’t wait to see the economy continue to grow for future generations.”