Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced last week that more than $1 million has been awarded to three municipalities in the Finger Lakes to help local businesses expand and create 67 jobs in the area. The award comes from the federally-funded Community Development Block Grants program, which provides financial assistance to eligible counties, cities, towns, and villages to help develop viable communities by providing decent affordable housing and attracting, retaining, and spurring job creation. Today’s announcement complements Finger Lakes Forward-the successful initiative that is driving economic growth in the region.
“With this funding, we are investing in New Yorkers while fostering partnerships with local businesses across the region,” Governor Cuomo said. “The Finger Lakes has seen economic growth and resurgence in recent years and by investing in these businesses, we remove barriers and offer them the support they need to succeed in this state.”
The Town of Batavia was awarded $465,000 to assist Freightliner & Western Star, Genesee County was awarded $225,000 to assist in the expansion of Resurgence Brewery in the City of Batavia, and the Town of Lima was awarded $315,000 to help Bristol ID Technologies expand its production facility.
Funds will be used to purchase machinery and equipment. Awards announced today include:
- $465,000 to the Town of Batavia in Genesee County to assist Freightliner & Western Star of Batavia in constructing a 45,000-square foot truck service and education facility. This expansion will create 31 full-time jobs over two years, with 18 to benefit low – moderate income persons. Freightliner & Western Star is an affiliate of Fleet Maintenance Inc. of West Seneca and a certified Women’s Business Enterprise. The facility will consist of service bays, a warehouse, and a classroom and service bay to accommodate up to 20 students as part of the BOCES vocational diesel technician training program.
- $225,000 to Genesee County to assist Resurgence Brewery in expanding their facilities and creating the Resurgence Powerhouse and Beer Garden This funding will help create 15 full-time jobs over two years, with 13 to benefit low – moderate income persons. Resurgence Brewery, located in the City of Batavia is a wild beer fermentation and production brewery for specialty or craft beers. The expansion is part of downtown Batavia’s Ellicott Station development project, and furthers Governor Cuomo’s Craft Brew initiative, designed to increase tourism and economic development.
- $315,000 to the Town of Lima to assist in the expansion of Bristol ID Technologies. Bristol is a leading card manufacturer known for innovative advances in card technology within many markets including ID/Security, Gift/Loyalty, Promotional & Print, and Hospitality. The project will involve the acquisition of the company’s current facility, construction of an 8,000-square foot building expansion, and the acquisition of high volume machinery and equipment that will allow for improved efficiency and a substantial increase in capacity and output. The project will create 21 full-time jobs over two years, with 17 to benefit low – moderate income persons, and inject more than $5.3 million into the local economy.
Senator Patrick M. Gallivan said, “The expansion of Bristol ID Technologies is good news for the Town of Lima and the entire region. By supporting the growth of existing businesses, we are securing jobs and investing in our future.”
J. Peter Yendell, Supervisor, Town of Lima said, “We thank Governor Cuomo and his team at the Office of Community Renewal for their support of this important project. In today’s global economy, Bristol ID could be anywhere in the world; I am so pleased that they continue to invest in Lima and Livingston County.”
Eric Gott, Chair of Livingston County Board of Supervisors said, “Bristol Technologies is a great company and we are happy to see it continue to expand and create jobs for Livingston County families. The county and the entire Finger Lakes region is seeing a resurgence thanks to the state’s investment in projects like this, and we welcome these opportunities to make our communities stronger.”
Keith Yeates, CEO of Bristol ID Technologies said, “We are thrilled to be located in a state that values the needs of our business and its continued growth. Being a known leader in cutting edge technology tasks us with staying at the forefront of innovative development. We are grateful New York State shares our vision of success and is willing to support us now and into the future.”
“I am extremely pleased to hear of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s continued investment in our community,” said Assemblyman Joe Errigo. “Coupling this influx of grants with the many other projects in town, we are making real progress in the revitalization of our community. I’m confident this funding will improve our small businesses’ ability to hire locally, and I have no doubt it will be a boost to our economy.”
In addition to the awards announced today, the Governor also recently announced the expansion of Baldwin Richardson Foods in Wayne County. These announcements complement “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $3.4 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan – investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture and food production, and advanced manufacturing. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Rochester, Batavia and Canandaigua as a destination to grow and invest in.
Now, the region is accelerating Finger Lakes Forward with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 8,200 new jobs.
