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Albany— New York State Senator Michael Nozzolio today announced that he has received thousands of cards from residents in his Senate district supporting his efforts to bring the New York State Food Laboratory to Geneva. Senator Nozzolio delivered the cards to Governor Eliot Spitzer today to show the overwhelming support that the project has in Geneva and the entire Finger Lakes region.

“The support that I have received in working to bring the State Food Laboratory to Geneva has been overwhelming,” said Senator Nozzolio. “I would like to thank everyone that took the time to write to me and express their support for this important project. All of the cards have been delivered to Governor Spitzer so that he is aware that the residents of the Finger Lakes region are fully behind the construction of a new food laboratory in Geneva and are eagerly awaiting him to take action.”

Senator Nozzolio successfully worked to include a $40 million appropriation in this year’s State budget to construct a new State Food Laboratory to replace an already existing, out-dated facility. Although the funding has been secured, Governor Spitzer has not yet decided whether to build the new facility in Albany or at the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park in Geneva.

The New York State Food Laboratory will provide expert analytical testing for all food safety and security programs in New York State. By locating the Food Lab at the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park, the State would be in a position to work closely with the adjacent Cornell University Institute of Food Science, one of the preeminent food science research programs in the world. The Food Lab would also be well-positioned to recruit and attract Cornell food science students for employment.

Senator Nozzolio has led a campaign to gain public support for locating the Food Laboratory in Geneva. As part of the Senator’s efforts, the Ontario County Legislature and the Geneva City Council have adopted resolutions in support of the project.

“The location of the State Food Laboratory at the Ag-Tech Park would be a major component of my continued efforts to make Geneva an international leader in agricultural research. I remain committed to fighting to locate the food laboratory in Geneva and further solidifying the Ag-Tech Park’s national standing and reputation as a major research center,” concluded Nozzolio.

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