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Finger Lakes Forward: Ocean Insight expansion in Monroe County viewed as major win for region

Officials are calling it a major step for “Finger Lakes Forward.”

The initiative was a strategy to revitalize communities in the Finger Lakes and grow the economy at large.

This week, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that Ocean Insight, a spectroscopic systems developer and manufacturer, is ready to expand its Monroe County operations and committing to creating up to 100 new jobs over the next five years.

Ocean Insight cited the significant resources and expertise available in the Finger Lakes region related to photonics and imaging as reasons for the expansion.

A bulk of the company’s operations are in Orlando, Florida. Ocean Insight’s equipment can measure both light and color and is used in a wide range of applications, including high-volume production quality control, medical imaging, food and agriculture, and air and water analysis.


It will expand its current manufacturing space in its Village Gate location in the City of Rochester to better meet customer needs.

Construction is expected to be complete later this year.

“Ocean Insight’s incredible expansion in the Finger Lakes will only add to the region’s momentum as a destination for high-tech business and innovation,” Governor Hochul said. “Even more importantly, this expansion will continue to accelerate job growth throughout the region, which remains laser-focused on the industries of tomorrow. Through strategic partnerships with companies like Ocean Insight, New York is continuing to revitalize our economy by attracting businesses to develop and expand across the state.”

Leaders with Ocean Insight were excited about the move.

“The Rochester and greater Finger Lakes region is the perfect place to expand our Applied Systems business unit. The deep technical resources of the area combined with a diverse and positive community make it a great location for Ocean Insight. We thank the Governor and the State of New York, Monroe County, and the City of Rochester for supporting our expansion in New York State,” Ocean Insight President and CEO Dr. Micheal Edwards said.

Empire State Development provided up to $1 million through the Excelsior Tax Credit Jobs program in exchange for the performance-based job creation commitments. The company plans to invest almost $1.8 million to expand at their Village Gate location and purchase new machinery and equipment. Monroe County, the City of Rochester, RG & E and Greater Rochester Enterprise are also assisting with the company’s growth in the region.