Members of the Rensselaer County Legislature welcomed news of significant job creations at Regeneron Pharmaceutical in East Greenbush in 2014, and said the growth demonstrates the value of infrastructure improvements.
The Legislature approved extension of sewer lines to Regeneron that proved to be crucial for a major expansion at the pharmaceutical company’s East Greenbush campus.
Regeneron announced the creation of 265 new jobs in East Greenbush during 2014, following the sewer expansion project that was started in 2012. The project was introduced by Chair of the Legislature Martin Reid, and continued with construction during 2013.
“The news of Regeneron’s job growth during 2014 demonstrates the value of the sewer expansion approved by the Legislature. This is very good news for Rensselaer County and the Capital Region,” said Reid.
“We are hopeful there will be more job growth at Regeneron as the company continues to build a name in the pharmaceutical industry on the international stage,” added Vice Chair of the Legislature Phil Danaher.
The move to accommodate the Regeneron expansion was necessary because the expansion exceeded the amount East Greenbush’s sewer facility can handle. Incorporating Regeneron is expected to help the town with town sewer issues and capacity.
The project includes extension of a sewer pipeline from the Regeneron campus on Route 9 and 20 approximately one mile to the county sewer district pump station on Aiken Avenue in the Fort Crailo neighborhood of Rensselaer. The project is in the final stages, and much of the work was accomplished on a tight deadline.
District 2 legislators Danaher, Leon Fiacco, Rob Bayly and Kelly Hoffman have continued to make the Regeneron sewer expansion a priority.
“Regeneron is an important part of the economic climate in Rensselaer County and the Legislature is proud to have played a role in that job creation. The Sewer District is an important tool in job creation, and the Regeneron expansion is proof of that work,” said Fiacco.