Calling it a “great day for our community,” Binghamton University President Lois B. DeFleur  told state and community leaders that a $15 million grant from the state’s Gen•NY•sis program will jump start new biotechnology research initiatives.

The grant, which was obtained by State Sen. Thomas W. Libous, R-Binghamton, will fund renovation of the 92,000-square-foot former NYSEG building into research and office space — the first step in a plan to develop the 21-acre site into an Innovative Technologies Complex. The award was announced by DeFleur and Libous at an October 23 press conference at the facility.

“We see some great opportunities here in Binghamton University and in biotechnology,” Libous said.

The development of the complex, he added said, is in line with the Greater Binghamton Economic Plan developed by Angelou Economics that recommends the community build future economic development on the research and knowledge generated by BU faculty and students.

In particular, the building will become home to a new Bioengineering Department and the Center for Protein Dynamics, technology incubators for biotech and advanced sensor design companies, research laboratories, as well as home to the Division of Research, which oversees technology transfer and economic outreach.

“Senator Libous’ efforts in securing this funding will have a major impact not only to the campus, but in the community,” DeFleur said.

Gen•NY•sis, which stands for Generating Employment Through New York Science, was created by the State Senate to invest in capital projects, research and development in life sciences industries.

SUNY Chancellor Robert L. King said the new funding will help to move Binghamton and the entire State University system to the very front rank of public higher education in America.

“Resulting activities, including technology transfer and incubator spin-offs, will solidify the University’s efforts to develop its new bioengineering program and foster important research activities,” he said. “Successful innovation by our superb research faculty and practical application of their discoveries are prime reasons why the State University is the single most powerful economic development tool in New York. I am very grateful to Governor Pataki and the State Senate for their support of Binghamton University.”

Frances Carr, vice president for research, said renovation of the property will mean that $12 million in funded research at the Center for Protein Dynamics can move forward rapidly.

“This property can be a magnet for sponsored funding and will allow us to build on existing resources,” she said. “Coupled with energetic programs of technology transfer, commercialization and business incubation, this property will help us to spark economic development in the Greater Binghamton and Southern Tier and the entire state.”

Ron Myers, who heads the Southern Tier Opportunity Coalition, a consortium of private and public, said such efforts will help forge a new future and path to economic revitalization for the region. Myers said the local economy is transitioning from a manufacturing-based economy to a knowledge-based community. Offices for the economic development coalition will be housed on the site.

DeFleur noted that the University is already bringing some of its research to the marketplace in the form of practical applications and inventions and will be able to do so more easily once the building is renovated and other work on the site is begun. She cited the work of Omowunmi Sadik and Rob Ben of the Chemistry Department, and Ralph Garruto, a research professor of anthropology and member of the National Academy of Sciences. Sadik is working on several developments in electronic sensing that will have both civilian and security applications, Ben is developing synthetic antifreeze that may have application in food processing and Garruto is working on methods of tracking the spread of highly infectious diseases.

Alex DePersis, president of the Broome Chamber, called the announcement a great day for the University and the community, adding that the ITC will be the centerpiece in the University’s efforts to develop new products and new companies. In addition to the potential for job-related economic development, he said ITC-based research “can help us attract and keep the best and the brightest minds,” and help the community prosper.