County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced Thursday that Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. will expand its corporate footprint in Ardsley thanks to incentives passed on Tuesday by Westchester's Industrial Development Agency (IDA). The biotech company has expanded its operations and plans to occupy approximately 25,500 of additional square feet at 440 Saw Mill River Road, in addition to its current 130,000 square-foot space at 410-420 Saw Mill River Road. The expanded space will accommodate approximately 90 new permanent employees that the company anticipates hiring over the next five years. In addition, approximately 35 to 45 full-time construction jobs are expected to be required to complete the four to six month project. 

"Acorda's impressive growth is proof that Westchester is the place for companies to find a high-skilled workforce and a business-friendly environment that will enable them to innovate and expand," said Astorino.  "I commend Acorda for their success and for all they do as a good corporate citizen in our community as well."

The new jobs will be high-skill, high-wage biotechnology-related positions such as drug-safety specialists, researchers, quality-assurance staff and market-development professionals.

"Acorda has been based in Westchester since 1998, and the County's ongoing support has been critical in maintaining our headquarters in New York as we've grown our business," said David Lawrence, Acorda's Chief of Business Operations. "We are proud of our contribution to building a vibrant biotechnology presence in the area, and are committed to developing and funding community programs that further scientific education. Westchester has been our home for almost two decades, and we are excited about our future here."

Thanks in part to the assistance from the IDA, Acorda's new space will include additional offices, a call center and training facilities. The IDA acted Tuesday to grant Acorda an exemption from 7.375 percent sales tax on $3.8 million in capital improvement costs, furniture and equipment for the duration of the construction process. Renovations are expected to begin by August 2014.

Today's announcement follows a 2012 expansion by Acorda in which it moved from its facility in Hawthorne to its existing location in Ardsley.  At the time, the IDA assisted by granting Acorda a sales tax exemption on $1.1 million in capital improvements to the space.

Westchester County also partners with Acorda on its Acorda Scientific Excellence Awards, which recognizes and encourages the innovative research of the county's high school students.

Acorda moved to Westchester in 1998 as a small start-up company with six employees. Today Acorda employs 282 people at its Ardsley location who work to improve the lives of people with neurological disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and spinal cord injury.

The IDA is a public benefit corporation created in 1976 for promoting and encouraging economic development in the county primarily through assisting in the creation or retention of jobs. The IDA is also empowered to issue taxable and tax-exempt bonds for organizations meeting federal and state guidelines. There is no financial risk to the county. The obligation for repaying the debt rests solely with the organizations.

Any corporation or small company looking to access the low-cost and tax-exempt project financing made available through the IDA should contact Jim Coleman, executive director of the IDA, at (914) 995-2963 or .