ALBANY >> ClassBook.com, an online provider of textbooks and educational resources affiliated with the University of Albany, will locate in downtown Albany, creating 72 new jobs under the START-UP NY program.
“Today’s announcement is another demonstration that START-UP NY is working to bring new jobs and investment to communities across New York State,” Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said. “With 72 new jobs coming to downtown Albany, START-UP NY is succeeding in attracting new and growing businesses to Upstate New York. Through START-UP NY, we took the State’s high tax liability and turned it on its head, making New York the least expensive place for businesses to locate, expand, and create new jobs.”
ClassBook.com is an existing cloud-based and multi-platform business providing an efficient process for making eBooks and print books available through an online ordering and management system. It is the first and only company to offer K-12 schools the ability to outsource and automate their eBook and print textbook ordering and fulfillment. ClassBook will locate to 418 Broadway and create 72 net new jobs while investing $227,600.
SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said, “Nowhere in the country do new businesses and entrepreneurs stand to benefit more by partnering with higher education than in New York State, thanks to the widespread success of Governor Cuomo’s START-UP NY program. With interest and investment coming in from around the globe and new jobs being created in every region, START-UP NY has provided a spark for our economy and for SUNY, making New York State a more competitive place to do business and lifting the value of teaching, learning, and conducting research at our colleges and universities. SUNY campuses in every region are proud to be implementing this transformative initiative.”
University at Albany President Robert J. Jones said, “We’re pleased that UAlbany’s innovative START-UP NY partnership with ClassBook.com will bring creative research, economic development, and job creation opportunities to our campus and the Capital Region. This is a textbook example of a rich public-private partnership with government, higher education and the private sector, supported by Governor Cuomo’s ambitious vision for START-UP NY, which creates synergies for the betterment of education and the welfare of New York state.”
County Executive Daniel P. McCoy said, “Amid the entrepreneurial challenges that were prevalent in Upstate New York for so many decades, START-UP NY has proven itself as an aggressive initiative that continues to lure startup businesses. I am proud that Albany County has seen significant growth across a variety of growing industries, and thank the Governor for leading this transformation.”
Mayor Kathy Sheehan said “I commend the efforts of the governor, the legislature, and the partners at SUNY for bringing together this multi-faceted initiative that will continue to bring jobs to the city and the region.”
START-UP NY seeks to accelerate entrepreneurialism and job creation across the state on a large scale, with a particular focus on Upstate New York. The State University of New York campus system, City University of New York, and private university and college communities serve as the framework of the START-UP NY program to attract high-tech and other start-ups, venture capital, new business and investments from across the globe. Under the program, businesses have the opportunity to operate tax-free for 10 years on eligible land and space. Businesses partner with the higher education institutions and are able to access industry experts and advanced research laboratories.