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Cannon Design, an architectural, engineering and construction management firm, has landed a $400,000 capital grant from Empire State Development to help it keep its headquarters on Grand Island.
The grant will supplement a $3.3 million investment by the company to upgrade it current facilities, allowing it to remain in Grand Island, officials said Tuesday. As part of the project, Cannon Design has pledged to create 33 new support and professional design jobs within the next five years. Empire State Development was also interested in retaining the company’s current 217 positions.
Dennis Mullen, Empire State Development president and chief executive officer, said helping Cannon Design remain competitive would have a positive effect on both the Western New York and state economies.
Cannon Design has occupied its Grand Island location since 1972. Aside from the recently updated lobby and conference rooms, the 40,000- square-foot building will be completely gutted and rebuilt, with significant upgrades to telecommunication and technological infrastructure.
The rebuild will also help reconfigure the placement of the firms various engineers, helping the company bring interdisciplinary teams closer together, improving communication and collaboration.
“They are soft benefits, but benefits that we hope will greatly improve our productivity and the product we provide our clients,” said Cynthia Hilliers, a Cannon Design spokeswoman.
The extensive renovations will be done in alternating phases and are scheduled for completion by year’s end. Earlier this spring, the company temporarily moved corporate support functions to leased space on Sheridan Drive in Amherst.
Cannon Design has offices in 10 U. S. cities and four international ones.