Schenectady

In another move solidifying its presence in the region, General Electric Co. will renovate 143,000 square feet of its properties and surrounding areas — a commitment of up to $45 million.

Improvements include updating office space, expanding the fitness center and improving the wellness center. In addition, sidewalks, landscaping and roads will be upgraded.

The news came at Wednesday's Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority meeting. The agency's board unanimously approved a sales tax exemption for the plans at the industrial giant's downtown Schenectady campus, headquarters of its largest business unit, GE Power.

New workstations and more natural light will come to Building 40 and Building 5 through the renovations, which will amount to 72,000 square feet and 40,000 square feet, respectively.

Building 43 will have 31,000 square feet of space renovated for more space for new fitness programs and exercise options. That building also hosts GE's wellness center, and the firm said it hopes the renovations will make it more convenient for employees to obtain preventive care, lab tests, immunizations and physicals. The company aims to finish the projects by the end of 2016.

GE Power spokeswoman Chris Horne said the work aims to improve employee collaboration and efficiency in the office to ultimately better serve customers.

"We want to offer employees a workplace and culture that is highly desirable and helps us attract and retain the best talent," Horne said.

Metroplex Authority chairman Ray Gillen said the projects are "major investments" in Schenectady by the company, which made waves earlier this month by announcing it will move headquarters from Fairfield, Conn., to Boston.

Metroplex said Wednesday it will provide a sales tax exemption for building materials used in the construction.

Gillen estimated that if GE spends $45 million, the tax break would amount to about $1.26 million, calculating an 8 percent sales tax on about 35 percent of the total project cost. Horne said GE did not have an estimate of the figure.

"It's part of a continuing partnership between the community and GE, and another in a series of investments, substantial investments, that the company has made in Schenectady and Niskayuna," Gillen said after the meeting.

Landscaping and road work to come to the Schenectady campus through renovations may bring jobs to the area, he said. GE clarified the renovations would not expand operations or company jobs in Schenectady, just renovate existing spaces.

Schenectady's GE campus is 639 acres and employes about 4,000 workers. An additional 2,000 people work in Niskayuna's Global Research Center.

The Schenectady campus also houses GE Renewable Energy, GE Energy Storage, steam turbine and generator manufacturing, a wind energy remote operations center and corporate offices.

The company recently renovated its Welcome Center on the Schenectady campus. The center, which offers new conveniences to visitors and includes conference rooms, opened in December.

GE said last week it will add three new labs to its Niskayuna site. One would focus on artificial intelligence and robotics, one would aim to reduce product costs and one would bring "world class" products to market. The company estimated the projects would add 100 jobs to Niskayuna.

lellis@timesunion.com • 518-454-5018 • @lindsayaellis