There may be gold in the hills between routes 5 and 63 on the east side of the Town of Batavia.
At least that's the impression left from this morning's groundbreaking for an agri-business park being made "shovel ready" under the guidance of the Genesee County Economic Development Center.
The $6 million project could lead to millions in revenue growth for the county, and as much as a $40 million annual payroll for as many as 1,200 workers.
The return on investment, according to GCEDC CEO Steve Hyde could be as much as 30-1 -- $30 gained in the local economy for every $1 spent on the project.
"This is a story of a vision that is really becoming reality," Hyde said.
Construction actually began two weeks ago and while only one Canadian food processor is among the future planned tenants, Hyde said he is confident several more companies will gain interest in the project once the economy turns around.
He said he expects future tenants to invest as much as $230 million in private capital to build their facilities.
He said the agri-business park is the first of its kind in the Northeast and brings together a confluence of factors that should be attractive -- inexpensive, easily accessed water, inexpensive power, a rail line and trucking routes.
The project is the result of GCEDC helping to bring together public and private funding to raise the $6 million to make the 200-acre park shovel ready (grading, building roads, bringing infrastructure), with contributors including the state and Town of Batavia as well as Farm Credit of Western New York.
New York Farm Bureau President Dean Norton (pictured, inset) called the project near and dear to his heart.
"It's a prime example of what state agencies and private groups can do when they get together and work for the betterment of agriculture," Norton said.
I think this is a project
I think this is a project that the county will benefit from. Agriculture is number one in Genesee County and anything we can do to bolster Ag-related business is a good thing.
Chris do you believe "The $6
Chris do you believe "The $6 million project could lead to billions in revenue growth for the county, and as much as a $40 million annual payroll for as many as 1,200 workers."
Cmon not 1 billion in growth but Billions..Thats a huge amount..so that would mean they would be paying for the whole county budget..We would have no county tax to pay anymore...They will be sending us all tax rebates...No business's are expanding right now..We have over 10 % unemployment, and that 200 acre parcel of land is going to generate billions of dollars for the county...
I think that since the state
I think that since the state is making grant money available to support new agri-business ventures (food processing etc...)and Genesee County is the perfect place for those ventures an Ag-park like this is just what the doctor ordered.
I love to hate the GCEDC because I don't particularly agree with certain policies of theirs, but this could become a real treasure for the county.
Edit: I wil say that I'm always a bit skeptical when public officials use phrases like "as much as." In my experience, "as much as' really means: The number that will make this idea sound the most agreeable to the high percentage of people who really aren't paying attention to what I'm saying.
Mark, I changed "billions" to
Mark, I changed "billions" to "millions" in case I misheard -- because 30 x 6 is only 180, but of course (assuming all rosy success is realized) there would be incremental growth that would radiate out from such a project.
I'm skeptical that they will ever reach full build out. But if they do, and their math is right, and 1,200 jobs are created with a payroll of $40 million (which is an average of $33,333 per worker), then it would be a significant economic benefit for GC and the region.
I don't doubt it would be a huge win if accomplished, but I'm skeptical about companies relocating or investing that much new capital in WNY -- I'm still primarily a believer in the idea that WNY is a great place to do business, but to really spur business growth, it's going to take primarily homegrown entrepreneurs to do it.
Homegrown entrepreneurs are unlikely to have the millions needed to build a facility in this park, until their businesses have incubated in less luscious digs. Though I think Hyde makes good points about the location (water, power, infrastructure).
Howard ,The billions really
Howard ,The billions really stuck out to me...Your right about local people will be the one that create jobs in wny..The average 33,000 per worker seems high to me..that is 15 dollars an hr..We will see..I think those that run the GCEDC would make good car salesmen..haha..Lets hope there is no problems with the bidding like what was done at the Med - Tech Park..
I bet that Steve Hyde had
I bet that Steve Hyde had blisters over that dig .Another tax break coming to Genesee County , and another notch for Steve Hyde . How much does he make out of this whole deal? There are plenty of half completed or half empty industrial parks in Genesee County but with a different title.
Are they going to open up the
bidding up to all or are they going to hand pick the bidders ? The end result will benefit someone ,but not the tax payers .(probably someone in the picture )
Steve Hawley should be the one with shovel , he is the only one that knows how to use it .
By the way , who ownes the earth mover in the picture ? Looks like they skipped that bid for the excavating .
The shovel should have been
The shovel should have been painted gold like most ground breaking ceremonies ,and to match our new license plates.