M E M O R A N D U M

							November 17, 2010

To:		Members of the Board of Trustees

From:		Nancy L. Zimpher, Chancellor

Subject:	Broad Hollow Bioscience Park -- Farmingdale State College

	I recommend that the Board of Trustees adopt the following resolution:

Whereas the State has invested resources in development of capital facilities of the Broad Hollow Bioscience Park (�BHBP�) upon the grounds of Farmingdale State College, where successful public-private partnerships have already attained some success; and

Whereas the establishment of a ground lease to replace the current operating arrangement will greatly enhance the capacity for further development of BHBP through the facilitation of procedures more consistent with those of private industry, especially the type of incubator and small start-up companies that constitute the potential tenants of the park; and

Whereas legislation is required to authorize Farmingdale State College to enter into a ground lease; and

Whereas a more effective operating arrangement for the BHBP will foster economic development on Long Island through the nurturing of a vigorous high-technology research community, the development of marketable products in small start-up and incubator companies; now, therefore, be it 

Resolved that the State University supports the establishment of a ground lease for the further development of Broad Hollow Bioscience Park; and, be it further

Resolved that the State University supports the enactment of ground lease legislation substantially in the form attached hereto; and be it further 

Resolved that the Chancellor, or designee, be, and hereby is, authorized to take actions necessary or appropriate to undertake a ground lease for the Broad Hollow Bioscience Park.
  
Background

	Farmingdale State College proposes to continue development of the Broad Hollow Bioscience Park (�BHBP�) under a ground lease so that it can more effectively support the college�s educational, research and service mission.  Through legislation enacted in 1999, the New York State Legislature found that the development of a pharmaceutical research, development or manufacturing facility at the State University of New York College of Technology at Farmingdale would encourage and assist in the economic development, business growth and job retention and creation on Long Island.  The Legislature further found that the facility would capture the synergies between the academic and research activities of the college and emerging science and technology.  

	The State University Construction Fund, in conjunction with Farmingdale State College and Broad Hollow Bioscience Park, have constructed two facilities, consisting of a total of 106,000 square feet of pharmaceutical/bioscience research space, on a 20-acre site of the campus. Transforming the current operating arrangement into a ground lease for BHBP provides the platform from which to leverage the State�s past investment in capital facilities.  Such an arrangement enables the park to be more responsive to the culture of industry through streamlined decision making and quick responses that maximize the potential of public-private partnerships. 
 
	An enhanced arrangement through the ground lease will lead to stimulating the college�s bioscience program while collaborating with local and regional private partners to promote development of the biotechnology industry on Long Island.  An effective BHBP will increase the existing internship opportunities for students, collaborative research opportunities for faculty, job opportunities for mid- and high-level research professionals, and ultimately facilitate the translation of research findings into marketable products.

	Long Island has lost a substantial portion of its low-level manufacturing jobs requiring unskilled labor; however, over the past decade the economy has become host to a robust array of high technology companies.  Examples are: ICON Central Laboratories (biochemical analyses of drug trial results from world-wide research facilities) and Enzo Biochem (genetics research, diagnostic and therapeutic tools), both of which are located near the college in the Route 110 corridor; Forest Laboratories (pharmaceutical testing and manufacturing) which has been a highly productive partner with Farmingdale State College; Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory both of which are collaborators with the college in various areas of research; Feinstein Research Institute, an affiliate of the large NS-LIJ Health System which is a partner of the college in health care education; and the internationally renowned Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory which has been a partner in BHBP since its inception.  Farmingdale State College students regularly intern in and become employed by these companies, and productive research collaborations among college faculty and partner institutions and company scientists have developed. 

	Creating a cluster of research and education in bioscience in the region holds numerous advantages.  A vibrant research community enables the college to attract productive professors with active and successful research capacity.  Partnerships with companies, especially like that developed between the college and the anchor tenant OSI Pharmaceutical over the past 10 years, provide scholarships, internships for students, employment for students from the college�s bioscience program and faculty research collaboration.  

	BHBP is a significant pathway through which SUNY can contribute to the economic revitalization of the region and the State, consistent with the State University�s strategic plan.  


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