eastman business park

Kodak is not selling Eastman Business Park. In fact, Wednesday they announced a partnership they hope will help draw more emerging businesses there.

The company put the park up for sale in March of last year, saying it didn't fit into their business strategy. Chief Financial Officer John McMullen says the decision to keep the park came after the company was reorganized into a divisional structure.

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter announced a 610-thousand dollar federal grant, along with matching private funds, to help companies at Eastman Business Park bring their innovative ideas to market faster.

A total of 1.2-million dollars in public/private funds will go to assist technology developers as they go from concept to commercialization, according to Eastman Business Park marketing director Kelly Mandarano.

She explains that  many companies coming out of the incubator or innovation stage struggle with their commercialization from pilot to development.

The Eastman Business Park is officially up for sale, Kodak announced Tuesday.

Company spokesman Chris Veronda says it’s the right time to hand development of the upstate industrial and technology park over to a new entity.

'Kodak believes the site can best continue its transformation under the ownership of a firm that’s focused on its redevelopment. And, at the same time, the sale of EBP will allow Kodak to focus on its customers in the commercial imaging business.'

Kodak has struck up a deal that will see up to 70 jobs created in Rochester. The company has entered a deal to manufacture and supply touch sensors for Texas-based company UniPixel.

The agreement will see Kodak and UniPixel open a new manufacturing facility in Eastman Business Park later this year, with $24 million set aside to improve and equip the 100,000 square foot facility.

Kodak has sold its last parcel of land in the south section of Eastman Business Park. Upstate food processing company, LiDestri Food and Beverage has bought 180 acres of land, closing a deal worth $1.4 million.