Schenectady, N.Y. — Metroplex joined with County and City officials today to announce plans to make all of downtown Schenectady wireless, boosting Schenectady’s role as a leader in technology and innovation while advancing the revival of downtown. In addition, the company that will install the new wireless system, Logical Net, plans to move its corporate offices from Colonie to downtown Schenectady creating almost 50 new tech jobs in Schenectady.
Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature said, “Cities of the future will all feature wireless systems. By working together, we are moving this project forward today so that Schenectady will be at the forefront of technology by providing wireless Internet service to businesses and residents living and working downtown.”
Mayor Brian U. Stratton said, “We are pleased to welcome Logical Net and the new wireless service to downtown Schenectady. This project brings more tech jobs to our City while creating a unique opportunity to help make Schenectady a leader in Tech Valley.”
Intel Corporation recently ranked the Albany-Schenectady-Troy metro areas as 46th of 100 metro areas for the availability and use of wireless Internet services.
Availability of wireless is increasingly seen as an indicator of an area’s ability to compete for and win technology companies as well as a quality of life issue.
Tush Nikollaj, Chairman and CEO of Logical Net said, “Based on recent trends, it is clear to us that wireless will be the future for Internet and communications connectivity. High speed wireless Internet will continue to drive new technologies that will shape the future for how we communicate, interact and conduct business.”
Nikollaj continued, “We are thrilled that Metroplex chose Logical Net to help put Schenectady in the forefront for wireless Internet connectivity. Considering we have been deploying wireless for the past five years, we plan to provide a robust wireless infrastructure to the community that will service many local businesses and residences. We are fortunate that we embraced wireless in the early stages of development and now have the knowledge and expertise to deploy it in any community – large and small.”
While Albany Airport, the Amtrak train station in Rensselaer and other local areas are “hotspots” with the availability of wireless services, the goal of the downtown Schenectady project is to create the largest wireless area in the Capital Region and one of the largest such systems in New York State.
The Schenectady wireless system will feature a web based portal page that will provide links to downtown attractions like Proctors, the new Bow Tie Cinema as well as other local establishments.
In addition, the new wireless system will make it much easier to place security cameras at multiple locations around the City. District Attorney Robert M. Carney recently received a grant from the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services worth $75,527 to help deter crime by installing eight portable, high-tech cameras in the City. These cameras will replace five existing cameras already in use on Hamilton Hill. The portable cameras will be serviced by the new wireless system.
District Attorney Carney said, “This grant is recognition that the State views our pilot project using surveillance cameras as a model for other urban areas. By obtaining this grant funding and by working with the City, County and Metroplex, we will be able to boost the coverage area using the wireless system and keep rotating these portable cameras so that they act as a deterrent to crime.”
City Council President Mark W. Blanchfield said, “We on the City Council are honored that Logical Net has chosen to be part of the latest chapter in Schenectady’s long history as a place that prides itself as being at the forefront of technology. I’m sure that if Steinmetz, Alexandersson and the other greats from Schenectady’s past could speak to us today, they’d be just as thrilled as we are as we take this bold step into the future.”
Gary McCarthy, Metroplex Board member and Chair of the Metroplex subcommittee who developed the wireless project said, “The investment in Schenectady by Logical Net continues the real change that has happened in our community over the last 18 months. Having people like Tush Nikollaj and his management team pick Schenectady for their home shows we are able to attract regional companies who provide world class products and services.”
“I have seen a tremendous amount of improvement taking place in Schenectady that was hard to imagine several years ago.” Nikollaj said, “I am looking forward to being part of Schenectady as it continues to develop what I believe to be the next Hot Spot for the Tech Valley Region.”
As a result of Logical Net moving, two other technology companies are following suit to move to Schenectady. The Software Network (www.thesoftwarenetwork.com) and eClipse Network Solution (www.eclipsens.com), both from Albany, will be moving to Schenectady as well. Both companies have been in business for quite some time and have an enormous potential for growth.
The new wireless system will be installed under terms of a $146,000.00 contract with Logical Net. The company was selected after a competition that featured several Internet service providers.
Metroplex will also provide Logical Net with a $150,000 loan at 3% interest for 10 years plus an $85,000 relocation grant to help the company establish its new operation in Schenectady. The company plans to lease the top floor of the Picotte Building at 530 Franklin Street.
About Logical Net
Established in 1994, Logical Net has grown to become one of the largest privately held Internet Service Providers in the Northeast. Logical Net provides Internet access using Wireless, DSL, Cable and T1 lines; Hosting capabilities ranging from Shared to Dedicated Web and Data hosting; and managed solutions such as business class email and e-commerce. As an Internet Service Provider, Logical Net works with companies large and small to implement comprehensive, scalable Internet solutions. For more information see www.logical.net
Contact:
David Singer
Sawchuk, Brown Associates
518-462-0318