FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 15, 2009

GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES PUBLIC-PRIVATE AGREEMENT THAT WILL KEEP CANON USA HEADQUARTERS IN NEW YORK STATE 

Canon to Build New Headquarters on Long Island;

Project Will Save 1,200 Jobs, Create Hundreds of New Ones

Governor David A. Paterson today announced that Canon U.S.A. will build its new headquarters in Melville, keeping one of the biggest electronics and imaging manufacturers in the world on Long Island and ensuring that more than 2,000 New York jobs will be created or retained over the next several years. The Governor was joined by State and local elected officials to make the announcement today at Canon U.S.A.’s current headquarters in Lake Success.

“I am pleased to announce that Canon U.S.A. is staying in New York,” Governor Paterson said. “The work undertaken in the company’s new state-of-the-art facility will not only provide long-term economic security for thousands of New Yorkers, it will also create jobs for many still struggling to climb out from under the current economic crisis. These will be New Economy jobs, focused on cutting edge products and 21st century technology.”

Last month, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the Empire State Development Corp. struck the deal with Canon U.S.A. that cemented the move. NYSDOT will add one lane each to the service roads between exits 48 and 49 off the Long Island Expressway in order to mitigate traffic concerns. NYSDOT has allocated $8 million for the road construction, and that money will help put people to work right away.

Governor Paterson presented a transportation funding commitment letter from NYSDOT to the Town of Huntington during the event.

A leading provider of consumer, business-to-business and industrial digital imaging solutions, Canon U.S.A. currently employs approximately 1,200 people in its Lake Success facility and expects to employ approximately 2,000 within 10 years at its new headquarters in Melville. The $636 million headquarters facility will be built to satisfy LEED green building standards.

Canon U.S.A. President and CEO Joe Adachi said: “For more than 50 years, Canon U.S.A. has been proud to be a member of the New York State and Long Island communities. In this time, we’ve grown from 80 employees in Lake Success to about 1,200 today. These individuals are the foundation on which Canon’s excellence is built. We are grateful for Governor Paterson’s support, as well as the support we have received from County Executive Steve Levy and Huntington Town Supervisor Frank Petrone, that has enabled us to make our dream of a creating a world-class, environmentally responsible new headquarters facility a reality. This move to a new facility will allow us to promote economic growth and increase opportunities for our current and future employees.”

The Long Island Association estimates that the Canon U.S.A. project could increase Long Island’s gross regional product by $1.3 billion and create up to 10,000 associated local jobs. Once construction begins in Melville, Canon U.S.A. will have the opportunity to take advantage of Empire Zone benefits from ESDC and other local and county incentives.

The following statements were provided in support of the Canon U.S.A. announcement:

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said: “This is a tremendous boost for Long Island's economy. At long last, Canon USA is officially the new anchor of the growing Route 110 business corridor. This agreement will save and create thousands of good-paying, high-tech jobs and stimulate the local construction industry. At a time when Long Island is fighting to attract the jobs of the future, this announcement is proof-positive that this is a place where companies big and small can grow. We worked hard to keep the focus on the urgency of this project and Governor Paterson deserves kudos for listening, rolling up his sleeves and getting the job done for Long Island.”

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said: “Canon’s commitment to stay and expand on Long Island is great news not only for Suffolk County, but for New York State. This project has the ability to create thousands of good-paying jobs and contribute hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy. I will continue working with Governor Paterson, local leaders and businesses to create more public-private investments like this one throughout the State.”

Congressman Steve Israel said: “Canon’s expansion into a state-of-the-art headquarters in Melville means new jobs for New Yorkers at a critical time. I’m proud to have worked with Governor Paterson to bring Canon to Melville and keep Canon on Long Island. I’m also fighting for additional federal funding for this project and other roadway improvements that will keep businesses and jobs on Long Island.”

Senator Craig Johnson said: “I am pleased that Canon will remain a vital part of our economy. Keeping this critically important company in Long Island and helping it expand is a positive example of what can happen when private and public stakeholders work together. Governor Paterson and Canon officials deserve to be commended for making today's announcement a reality.”

Senator Carl L. Marcellino said: “As Long Island continues to embark on a mission to attract and keep quality employers, we need outstanding companies such as Canon to lead the way. Creating new jobs is vital to our continued growth, and Canon is playing a major role in fueling the economic expansion of Long Island and New York State.”

Assemblyman James Conte said: “Today’s announcement could not have come at a better time for Long Islanders who have been hit hard by the recent economic downturn. Creating and preserving good-paying local jobs is the key to a successful economic recovery, and I am pleased that Governor Paterson, State and local officials went above and beyond to keep one of the biggest electronics and imaging manufacturers in the world on Long Island.”

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy said: “One of my proudest achievements as county executive was negotiating the deal with Canon to bring 2,000 jobs to Suffolk. We're happy to join the Governor and the Town of Huntington in welcoming Canon's headquarters to our county.”

Town of Huntington Supervisor Frank Petrone said: “Canon building its new North American headquarters in Melville is the number one economic development project on Long Island, if not the State, and dedicating funding for the Long Island Expressway service road expansion is one of the final pieces that needed to fall into place to make this happen. I thank Governor Paterson for personally interceding to smooth the path toward almost 2,000 current and future jobs coming to the Route 110 corridor.”

Dennis M. Mullen, Chairman and CEO designate of Empire State Development, said: “This announcement signifies a monumental victory for the region, for the State of New York and for all of us who worked to make it happen, particularly Governor Paterson. Canon's LEED-certified headquarters will stimulate the Long Island economy while boosting regional employment and increasing tax revenue for the State. What's more, Canon's decision to stay in New York reinforces the message that we welcome international investment, and that New York is open for business.”

State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee said: “In support of Governor Paterson's initiative to keep Canon U.S.A.’s headquarters on Long Island, we have developed a plan to upgrade Long Island Expressway service roads to ease the commute and foster safe, efficient access for Canon U.S.A. employees in Melville and travelers in the vicinity of State Route 110. This project will create construction jobs and help ensure that Canon U.S.A. can move into its new headquarters in 2012.”

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