Kaleida Health and the University at Buffalo's construction project of $291 million has gained pace and is continually moving ahead in spite of tricky economy, poor state budget and confronting weather. The first sequence of putting steel into place was initiated by both the organizations today.

Kaleida Health President and CEO James R. Kaskie explained, "Over the past six months, the construction crews have worked diligently to prepare the site and get us ready for today with the first sequence of steel. Together, with the University at Buffalo, we are building a world-class flagship medical and research center right here in Western New York".

UB President John B. Simpson said, "This new building when completed will improve health care in Western New York by linking education, clinical care, and research and business incubation in one combined facility. Today's milestone signals that this collaborative project is one step closer to completion. This is a tangible example of why the legislature should support the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act as proposed in the executive budget."

This project embraces construction of Kaleida's Global Heart and Vascular Institute and UB's Clinical and Translational Research Center and biosciences incubator. This project intends to bring up a collective effort for delivery of clinical care accompanied by major research breakthroughs and adding to new biotechnology businesses and jobs.