Bausch & Lomb, one of the world’s best known eye care companies, announced that it will nearly double the size of its worldwide research and development center in Rochester, adding 200 new jobs to its current work force of approximately 1,400 employees in Rochester.
The company will build a $35 million, 75,000 square foot addition near its existing world-class R&D facility on North Goodman Street for its scientific laboratories and research offices. The company also indicated it may further expand the size of the facility in the future.
“The expansion of our main R&D center in Rochester demonstrates Bausch & Lomb’s commitment to our hometown where the company began 152 years ago,” said Ronald L. Zarrella, chairman and CEO of Bausch & Lomb. “One of the deciding factors to expand here was the outstanding assistance from New York State, the City of Rochester and Monroe County facilitated by Greater Rochester Enterprise. We thank them for their commitment to working together to improve the economic vitality of this region, and to making it an attractive location to grow our business and add jobs.”
Bausch & Lomb, a global leader in the eye-health market, is headquartered in downtown Rochester, with a research and development facility and manufacturing operation in the City’s northeast section. As a result of its investment, the company is eligible to receive a capital grant from Empire State Development and various tax incentives through the Empire Zone program. The jobs being added include highly trained microbiologists and chemists.
Empire Zone benefits were a crucial factor in Bausch & Lomb’s decision to expand in Rochester. By being included in the Rochester Empire Zone via the new regionally significant project designation process, Bausch & Lomb will be eligible for various tax incentives. Bausch & Lomb will also be eligible to apply to ESD for a $600,000 capital grant, which can be used to help pay for construction costs associated with the new R&D facility, which includes room for an additional 25,000 square foot expansion in the future.
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