New York State's Tech Valley Opens Office in Silicon Valley; Albany NY's Center for Economic Growth Creates Presence in Western United States to Facilitate Growth and Communication for Technology Companies.

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The Center for Economic Growth (CEG) of Albany, New York announces the opening of "Tech Valley West" in Silicon Valley, California. CEG promotes technology and business development in "Tech Valley" -- New York State's cluster of high-growth technology companies, advanced universities, incubators and laboratories from East Fishkill to the Canadian border, incorporating sites identified by Governor Pataki as Centers of Excellence.

"As technology leaders across the country and the world seek to collaborate and enter expanded markets, CEG's West Coast location will serve as a consistent, visible presence and an easily reachable contact point," said Kelly Lovell, CEG's President and CEO.

In recent years, New York's Tech Valley region has witnessed an explosion of growth, including a $2.5 billion pledge from Governor Pataki for regional development and the creation of a $2 billion nanofab facility at Albany NanoTech. It also includes the country's first College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at the University at Albany and IBM's $2.5 billion chip fabrication facility in East Fishkill.

Tech Valley also boasts the nation's first virtual online technology community, the Technology Roadmap, sponsored by CEG. The Technology Roadmap's mission is to match technology companies and resources with opportunities for commercialization, collaboration and business development.

Tech Valley West will provide a strong Western U.S. presence for CEG to continue to develop and support relationships and facilitate initiatives in business, academic and government projects. The expanded presence in Silicon Valley is being supported by a grant from Niagara Mohawk, a National Grid Company, which has been a major supporter of efforts to generate technology-focused growth in upstate New York. Tech Valley West, located in Cupertino, California will be formally announced at SEMICON West in San Francisco from July 12 - 14, 2005. During SEMICON West, the CEG will host a dessert reception at the Hilton San Francisco on July 13.

About CEG

The Center for Economic Growth (CEG) is a private, non-profit, regional economic and business development organization committed to attracting and developing advanced technology, nanotechnology, biotechnology, energy and research companies, and facilitating business and educational partnerships. The CEG, covering 18 counties, is centered in Albany, New York, and promotes numerous programs, grants, and political mechanisms to strengthen business in New York's Capital Region and Tech Valley. The current expansion to a West Coast presence encourages connections with the western United States as a part of CEG's ongoing development efforts. For more information please visit: www.ceg.org.