For Immediate Release:
May 20, 2010

For more information, contact:
Francine Patella Ryan
ESL Public Affairs Manager
fpatella@esl.org
585.336.1089 or 585.261.6220 (cell)

ESL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION HOLDS RIBBON-CUTTING FOR ITS NEW DOWNTOWN HEADQUARTERS

CITY AND COUNTY OFFICIALS WELCOME CREDIT UNION AND ITS 300-PLUS EMPLOYEES

Rochester, N.Y. - Mayor Robert J. Duffy, Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks, and Rochester Downtown Development Corporation President Heidi Zimmer-Meyer joined ESL Federal Credit Union executives, employees, and guests for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at the local credit union's new headquarters located at 225 Chestnut Street, Rochester. The event marks the completion of one of the most significant new construction projects in Rochester's center city in more than 20 years.

In his remarks before approximately 200 guests, ESL President and Chief Executive Officer David L. Fiedler re-affirmed the credit union's decision to build its new corporate headquarters in downtown Rochester. Stating that "Rochester is our home," Fiedler spoke of the local credit union's history and its long standing commitment to the Rochester community. "We've been part of the community for 90 years, since George Eastman established Eastman Savings and Loan in 1920," said Fiedler. "A constant during our 90-year history has been our belief in the future of the Rochester community, which we re-affirmed with our decision to build our new corporate headquarters here at 225 Chestnut Street."

In February 2008, ESL announced its plans for the six-story building and adjacent parking garage at the Chestnut Street location following an 18-month site selection process. Construction of the structure began in July 2008.

The 170,000 square-foot, building includes a full-service branch for the credit union's members on the first floor and office space for its 340-plus headquarters employees. The new headquarters has the capacity to house approximately 500 employees. As a LEED certifiable building, the structure incorporates many energy-efficient technologies. A new parking garage with free employee parking is connected to the building via a skyway. Members visiting ESL also will have free parking at the surface lot adjacent to the building. (For additional information, please refer to fact sheets provided in press packet.)

The decision to move the credit union's headquarters to the downtown site were based on several factors: the expiration of ESL's lease this month at its former office space at Kings Park, in Irondequoit; the desire to be centrally located for the company's members and employees; the need for a building, which is designed to accommodate ESL's growth and which is efficient and environmentally friendly; and the continued commitment of ESL to support the economic development of the community it serves and on which ESL depends for its future success and growth.

Fiedler gave special acknowledgement to Duffy and Commissioner of Neighborhood and Business Development R. Carlos Carballada for their personal contributions to making the downtown location an ideal choice.

During the ceremony, Duffy commended ESL management and board members for their commitment to the City. "The new ESL Federal Credit Union headquarters is a beautiful addition to our skyline," said Duffy. "We are embarking on a journey of transformational change - literally rebuilding major parts of downtown on a scale not seen here in 50 years. I'd like to thank Dave Fiedler and the entire ESL family for investing in Rochester."

Fiedler thanked Brooks and her team for working with ESL to ensure that the building qualified for "Green JobsPlus" tax incentives available to employers who build environmentally friendly space as well as Rochester Gas and Electric for helping ESL to achieve utility savings through an infrastructure grant provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

"We believe that our success and growth depends on a healthy and vibrant Rochester, especially downtown" said Fiedler. "We think there are many reasons - including increasing residential activity - to believe we're going to see a renaissance in downtown Rochester."

Founded by George Eastman in 1920, ESL Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution with $3.9 billion in assets. ESL employs more than 600 people locally and has more than 300,000 members world-wide. Access to the credit union includes 20 branch locations and more than 42 ATM locations, a Tele-Banking Center, and Internet and online banking channels. The company is headquartered at 225 Chestnut Street, in Rochester, and can be found on the Internet at www.esl.org.

 

Left to right: Elaine Spaull, Rochester City Council Member; Bernadette Rizzo, Branch Manager, Chestnut Street; Carlos Carballada, Comissioner of Neighborhood Development, City of Rochester; Robert J. Duffy, Mayor, City of Rochester; David L. Fiedler, President and CEO, ESL Federal Credit Union; Maggie Books, Monroe County Executive; Heidi Zimmer-Meyer, President, Rochester Downtown Development Corporation; Gary Van Graafeiland, Chairman, Board of Directors, ESL Federal Credit Union; and Walter Rusnak, Chief Financial Officer,ESL Federal Credit Union, ESL Federal Credit Union preparing to cut the ribbon in front of ESL headquarters.

Robert J. Duffy, Mayor, City of Rochester; and David L. Fiedler, President and CEO, ESL Federal Credit Union give the"high five" during ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Carlos Carballada, Comissioner of Neighborhood Development, City of Rochester; Maggie Books, Monroe County Executive; Heidi Zimmer-Meyer, President, Rochester Downtown Development Corporation; and Gary Van Graafeiland, Chairman, Board of Directors, ESL Federal Credit Union, look on.

Employees look through headquarter windows during the ribbon-cutting ceremonies.

Members of the Rochester Philharmonic and Eastman School of Music perform at the ribbon-cutting ceremonies.