Assemblymembers Phil Steck (D-Colonie) and Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) announced today that they secured an additional $500,000 in funding for Proctors’ central heating/cooling and electric generation facility, Marquee Power. This funding will allow the plant to expand to meet growing demand, add new customers and increase energy efficiency.

The Proctors facility not only supplies electricity to Proctors but heats and cools a number of neighboring businesses, such as the Hampton Inn, the YMCA Wink, the Parker Inn and Transfinder’s corporate headquarters.

“We’ve witnessed a much-needed revitalization of Schenectady in recent years, and this funding will go a long way in ensuring it continues,” Assemblymember Steck said. “Proctors has been a beacon of downtown’s growth and improvement, and by making wise investments like this one, we are committing to the use of clean energy as well as the long-term success of not only a local business, but of the community as a whole.”

“The continued progress in Downtown Schenectady has had a significant impact on the entire city, and as we move forward, we are investing in renewable energy like the Schenectady County solar farm that recently came online and is now powering buildings downtown. This next investment in clean energy furthers our commitment to ensuring a bright future for generations to come,” Assemblyman Santabarbara said. “This funding not only renews a green partnership with Proctors – a true gem in our community – but it makes the city of Schenectady a leader in clean and affordable energy partnerships for downtown businesses.”

“We are ecstatic about the help available from the New York State Assembly and from Assemblymembers Steck and Santabarbara to complete the upgrades to Marquee Power,” Proctors CEO Philip Morris said. “This work allows us to be more energy efficient, to add new users like the Parker Inn and to continue to be a significant part of downtown's growth with over 1,000,000 square feet of space heated and cooled centrally.”

The funding was made available in this year’s budget through the State and Municipal Funding Program.