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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 187-12
May 21, 2012

MAYOR BLOOMBERG, GOOGLE CEO PAGE AND CORNELL PRESIDENT SKORTON ANNOUNCE GOOGLE WILL DONATE SPACE IN ITS NEW YORK HEADQUARTERS TO CORNELLNYC TECH WHILE ROOSEVELT ISLAND CAMPUS IS BUILT

Initial Space of 22,000 Square Feet Can Expand to 58,000 as School Grows

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Google Inc. CEO Larry Page and Cornell President David J. Skorton today announced that Google will allocate 22,000 square feet of its New York headquarters to CornellNYC Tech, while the university completes its campus on Roosevelt Island. The space will allow Cornell to build its presence in New York in close proximity to the tech companies and entrepreneurs with whom it will collaborate. This arrangement represents Google, Cornell, Technion and the City of New York’s commitment to educating and developing engineering and tech talent in New York City. Google will initially provide Cornell with 22,000 square feet of office space on July 1, 2012, free of charge for 5 years and 6 months or until the completion of Cornell’s campus on Roosevelt Island—whichever occurs first. Additionally, Cornell will be able to expand to 58,000 square feet over five years as it builds its presence in New York City. The Mayor made the announcement at Google New York, where he was also joined by Technion’s Director Craig Gotsman, Representative Carolyn Maloney, Representative Jerrold Nadler and Council Member Jessica Lappin.

“We’re about to find out what happens when you marry one of the world’s most innovative companies with one of the most innovative economic development strategies any city has undertaken,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “When we first envisioned the Applied Sciences initiative, we hoped the winning school would establish strong relationships with the tech sector. But this kind of synergy is beyond anything we could have imagined. CornellNYC Tech is well on its way to being fully integrated into New York City’s vibrant tech industry, and Google’s support is another huge vote of confidence for that industry. Just a few years ago, our tech sector was barely on anyone’s radar screen – now, it’s creating jobs and becoming a major player in our diversified economy.”

“I’m passionate about breaking ground in science and engineering because technology has driven many of the advances humankind has made,” said Google CEO Larry Page.  “But we still don’t have enough people working in these areas.  It’s why I am tremendously pleased that Google is giving Cornell the office space to get their new engineering university up and running in New York City.”

“We are proud to be launching CornellNYC Tech in what is becoming the center of the tech world,” said Cornell President David J. Skorton. “The one missing ingredient has been a pipeline of top-level tech talent, and that is what the tech campus will provide. Building on Mayor Bloomberg’s vision, we are creating a new academic model for this time, this place and this industry. The key is engagement between world class academics, companies and early-stage investors to catalyze innovation. That’s what we’ll be creating on Roosevelt Island, and thanks to Google it’s what will be happening here starting this fall.”

“We are delighted to launch our exciting programs with Cornell University in the Google building,” said Technion President Peretz Lavie. “This space provides the optimal environment for the education and nurturing of technical talent. This is a major step towards the fulfillment of Mayor Bloomberg’s vision to seed the city with entrepreneurs and start-ups. We at Technion are confident that our academic partnership with Cornell University will help build the city’s tech ecosystem and boost this sector of the economy.”

Though classes do not begin until the fall, CornellNYC Tech has already made enormous progress since being chosen as the winner of the City’s Applied Sciences competition in December. Leadership of the new campus has been named, including Dean Dan Huttenlocher and Vice President Cathy Dove. Earlier this month, Cornell chose Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne to design the first academic building on the Roosevelt Island campus. A town hall forum was held on Roosevelt Island in April, just one of many opportunities for residents to get to know more about how the campus will benefit the entire Island.

“Mayor Bloomberg’s Applied Sciences initiative centered around the idea of linking academic excellence with economic development and job creation, and the location of CornellNYC at Google during the construction of the Roosevelt Island campus will be a living testament to that idea,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel. “We appreciate Google’s commitment to New York City through this generous donation of space in the heart of New York’s tech renaissance.”

“In December, the Bloomberg Administration, Cornell University, and the Technion created an historic public-private partnership to transform our economy for generations to come,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky. “With the addition of Google, one of the world’s undisputed leaders in technology, this partnership has risen to even greater heights. The first wave of talented students to arrive in New York will immediately find themselves integrated within our City’s growing tech sector, gaining first-hand knowledge of what is required to create cutting-edge technologies and new businesses. I would like to thank Google, as well as Cornell and the Technion, for their commitment to our City’s future as the global hub of innovation.”

“Google stepping up to the plate and providing CornellNYC Tech with start-up space, while its Roosevelt Campus is built, will make sure that when one googles ‘tech hub,’ New York City is the top hit,” said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. “The already emerging partnership between New York’s tech community and our new engineering school bodes well for creating a more robust technology cluster that will make the Big Apple the country’s leading center for technology. The mayor’s leadership in pushing for the establishment of this school and Google’s willingness to play such a vital role in jump starting it should be commended.”

“No other city is poised to lead in the high-tech economy of the future like New York City,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand. “Thanks to Google’s helping hand and strong partnership with Cornell and Technion, we are one step closer to seeing CornellNYC Tech come to fruition, bringing world-class engineering talent right here in the heart of the Big Apple. I thank Mayor Bloomberg for his efforts in ensuring that we’re growing innovative leaders to compete and win in the global economy.”

“I look forward to the day when CornellNYC Tech opens its doors on Roosevelt Island, but in the meantime, Google’s Manhattan offices will provide a wonderful home for the school during its incubation phase,” said Representative Maloney. “It’s yet another example of Cornell’s determination and commitment to launching this exciting new academic venture – and its ability to make connections with the best of the best. And it’s also a sign of the open arms with which New York’s high-tech community is welcoming New York City’s newest institution of higher education. Today’s announcement signals a win-win for Cornell, Technion, Google – and New York!”

“Today’s announcement is wonderful news,” said Representative Jerrold Nadler. “With the generosity of Google providing space in its building, Cornell and the Technion will now be able to provide New York City with a world-class applied sciences campus. I thank everyone for working together and enabling New York City to become the high-tech capital of the world.”

“Google and Cornell-Technion are a match made in heaven,” said Council Member Lappin. “I want to thank Google for opening its doors while we get the school’s permanent home ready on Roosevelt Island.”







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser / Julie Wood   (212) 788-2958

Jordan Newman (Google)   (415) 347-5466

Jeremy Soffin (CornellNYC Tech)   (646) 200-5318



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