The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) board of directors accepted a final resolution for GSPP Route 262, LLC’s 5-megawatt (MW) community solar project at its board meeting on Thursday. The project’s total capital investment is estimated at $13 million and will be located in the town of Byron.
Agreements negotiated for GSPP Route 262, LLC’s project PILOT would generate $4,000/MW (AC) + a 2% annual escalator of revenue to Genesee County, the Town of Byron, and Byron-Bergen Central School District.
This project is estimated to generate a $627,303 increase in property-tax type revenues to host municipalities resulting in $5.14 in revenue for every $1 generated from the property’s current use.
GSPP Route 262, LLC requested a sales tax exemption of $1.056 million, a mortgage tax exemption of $70,993, and a property tax exemption of $778,344.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) board of directors will consider a final resolution for GSPP Route 262, LLC’s 5-MW community solar project at its board meeting at 4 p.m. on Thursday. The project’s total capital investment is estimated at $13 million and will be located in the town of Byron.
GSPP Route 262, LLC’s project is aligned with New York's goals for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and greenhouse gas reductions, and will offer customers a 10% discount vs. average market rates for the generated power.
Agreements negotiated for GSPP Route 262, LLC’s project PILOT would generate $4,000/MWAC + a 2% annual escalator of revenues with Genesee County, the Town of Byron, and Byron-Bergen Central School District. This project is estimated to generate a $627,303 increase in property-tax type revenues to host municipalities.
A public hearing on the proposed project agreement was held on April 19 in the town of Byron.
The June 1, GCEDC board meeting will be held at 4 p.m. at the MedTech Center’s Innovation Zone, 99 MedTech Drive, Batavia. Meeting materials and links to a live stream/on-demand recording of the meeting are available at www.gcedc.com.
Developer David Mazur fields questions from the Genesee County Planning Board about Countryside Apartments, the 80-unit complex he is proposing for the Medtech Park by GCC. Photo by Howard Owens
Developer David Mazur said he's been building apartment complexes and running the ones he builds for 18 years. He has a formula. He knows it works. And he knows the type of tenants he expects to be attracted to his units.
With that experience, he's sure the 80-unit complex he is proposing for Medtech Park by GCC will be market rate, with rents ranging from $1,350 to $1,895 per month (that rate could be as much five percent higher once construction is done, he said).
To qualify for a rental agreement, tenants must have a job, if not retired, and a monthly income of 3.5 times the monthly rental rate.
That rules out college students as potential tenants, he said, and parents can't co-sign for a child. Whoever signs the rental agreement must live in the apartment, he told the Genesee County Planning Board at Thursday's meeting.
After his presentation, when told that other developers have promised market-rate complexes only to change the terms during construction, he said he's 100 percent certain that won't be the case with his development.
"I have never had a project go a different direction other than market-rate," Mazur told The Batavian ."So I'm not sure what happened in the past with other developers or what their performers were, what their plans were, but this is 100 percent designed to be market rate."
The Grand Island-based developer said in his other projects, 60 percent of his tenants are seniors, sometimes retires, with the balance being working professionals. The seniors, especially, he said, are looking for and demand quality units.
"(Countertops are) either gonna be quartz or granite," Mazur said. "All the finishes are higher end. That's where go back to, like I said, retirees because it's 60 percent of my base at other locations. They want it. They want just new, fresh, crisp places. Some have never lived anything brand new. They look at it, like, I want it, this is what I'm going to live in."
There will be 60 garages for the 80 units, with outdoor parking available for the rest.
Amenities will include a dog park, and the complex is pet friendly, with some restrictions on dog sizes. Tenants in apartments with shared hallways are limited to smaller dogs, less than 30 pounds. The townhouse apartments will have a bit more flexibility, he said.
When Mazur found out the Medtech land was available for development, he said he saw an opportunity to do what he's done successfully in places like Grand Island and Tonawanda -- to build a complex for people that want to be close to a city center -- such as Batavia -- while taking in the country air.
"That's our portfolio," Mazur said. "It's full of what I call country or township apartments. When I found the parcel was available, to me, it made sense. You're a stone's throw from the action downtown. And, you know where the property's sitting -- we can't promise what's going to happen in the future, what else is going to be built there, but right now, it's farmland. So it's gonna be a nice setting for people to have the dog park, walking areas, things like that."
He said he hasn't investigated bus routes in the area but said that most people moving into market-rate apartments own a vehicle.
The plan calls for six 12-unit buildings and one eight-unit building with 24 three-bedroom apartments, 42 two-bedroom, and 14 one-bedroom, with 36 single-car detached garages.
The total project cost is expected to exceed $12 million.
Jim Krencik, senior director for marketing and communication for the Genesee Economic Development Center, said the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corporation, an adjunct to GCCEDC, approved a sale agreement for Mazur to acquire the 14 acres for the proposed development in December for $200,000.
"With the support of the Town of Batavia, City of Batavia, and GCEDC, we're pleased to see Countryside Apartments moving forward," Krencik said. "This project enhances our market-rate housing stock and can accelerate our Batavia Home Fund to support future residential improvements in the city."
The Batavia Home Fund collects revenue from developments and makes the funds available for rehabilitation and similar projects for residential homes in Batavia.
Krencik said the Countryside development is eligible to contribute to that fund but not draw from it.
Mazur said he doesn't know yet if he will apply to GCEDC for any potential project assistance. It's early in the planning process, he said, "and that's putting the cart before the horse."
Based on his previous experience, Mazur said he believes he won't have an issue filling all 80 units once the project is complete.
"Like I said, we've been in the business now for about 18 years, and I've had people with me that have been there the whole 18 years. So, again, the style of buildings that we're building, we build the same buildings in different townships, we already know our cost structure, we know our problems, and we tweak the issues from the first project to the second project. We may change color, and it will be different for different townships, but really, it's a process that works for us. And it takes a lot of the risk out of the game."
Steve Hyde, CEO of GCEDC, speaks to the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council at its meeting at GCC on Wednesday. Photo by Howard Owens
Remember in 2011 when we all had fun trying to guess the coded meaning of "Project Wave?"
Now we get to do it again. What is "Project Vulcan?"
Speaking to members of the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council, Steve Hyde, CEO of Genesee County Economic Development Center, said, "We've got a lot going on. We're on the short list for two more projects that are another 700 jobs. I just saw yesterday a term sheet for Project Vulcan."
A reporter standing next to Jim Krencik, senior director for marketing and communications for GCEDC, at the time Hyde mentioned Project Vulcan couldn't get him to drop any further hints about what that phrase might mean.
Hyde was one of the introductory speakers before the council got down to business (The Batavian didn't stick around for that part of the meeting) that included an update from Executive Director Laura Fox O'Sullivan, a presentation on workforce development priorities, regional talent attraction strategies, a board discussion and development of a work plan.
One of the themes both Hyde and Genesee County Legislature Chair Shelley Stein shared was the need for state officials to become better aligned with economic development.
New York is a challenging state because of regulatory schemes to attract businesses, Hyde said.
"Building mega site industrial parks is difficult, challenging," Hyde said. "Employers and investors need support from the state. There is a critical misalignment right now between some of our regulatory agencies in the state and then the governor's economic development goals and strategy. ... We need to find a way to find a solution to the common good to be partners, to be collaborative in the support of our state strategy and our regional strategy."
Stein, a dairy farm owner in Le Roy, said there is more demand than ever for New York's milk, especially with yesterday's announcement of the fairlife plant planned for the Town of Webster, but the state's continuing regulatory burden on farmers and their workers, such as the recently changed overtime threshold, and the proliferation of solar farms on farmland, is hampering the ability of New York dairy farmers to meet the demand.
She compared the misalignment between competing political forces in the state with the goggles you might put on during a visit to the optometrist. The optometrist will adjust the lenses one at a time to help bring what you see into focus. Right now, the two sides are out of focus, she said.
"We want to be able to bring ourselves together with good sound economic development," Stein said. "We want to bring in opportunities for our families. We want to bring together all of us to have a shared common message because we certainly have differences. But we can also work from our commonalities."
Hyde praised the Finger Lakes council for being aligned on economic development for the region.
"Our council is completely aligned," Hyde said. "Look at what we're focused on -- site development, workforce development, it all fits into our goals, right? You know, grow jobs, rollout, drive investment, reduce poverty, create opportunity for our families and our residents."
This was the first time the council has met in Genesee Council since before the pandemic.
In an interview with The Batavian before the meeting, former Rochester mayor and former lieutenant governor Robert Duffy praised the work of Hyde. He said his first meeting after becoming LG was with Hyde to discuss WNY STAMP.
He called Hyde a "pit bull" on behalf of Genesee County's economic development goals.
"I think in spite of many challenges we all face nowadays, I think the state is doing some great work," Duffy said. "I would say from my perspective, Genesee County is lucky to have Steve Hyde and his team. I've worked with Steve since 2011, and I've been super impressed with his tenacity and his commitment to this. He has never let go of STAMP and STAMP, now, for all those years and all that work, it's really starting to come together and take hold."
Steve Hyde during his presentation to the council. Photo by Howard Owens
Genesee Community College President James Sunser speaking about the college's efforts to support economic development and workforce development. Photo by Howard Owens
Genesee County Legislature Chair Shelley Stein: "We want to be able to bring ourselves together with good sound economic development," Stein said. "We want to bring in opportunities for our families. We want to bring together all of us to have a shared common message because we certainly have differences. But we can also work from our commonalities." Photo by Howard Owens
Genesee County has a seat at the table with the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council with Steve Hyde, Shelley Stein, and Batavia City Council President Eugene Jankowski. Photo by Howard Owens
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) board of directors will consider an initial resolution for LNK Holdings Inc.’s acquisition and expansion of an agribusiness manufacturing facility in Bergen at its board meeting on Thursday.
The proposed $1.645 million project enables Craft Cannery to expand operations at Apple Tree Acres by adding 4,000 sq. ft. to its existing 5,000 sq. ft. facility. The USDA-certified contract manufacturer provides dozens of customers with the capacity to ramp production of sauces, dressings, marinades and other foods, produce small-batch foods, and pilot unique recipes for commercialization.
LNK Holdings Inc. plans to create four additional full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs and retain six FTE as part of the expansion. The project follows Craft Cannery’s victory in the 2022 Grow-NY Global Food and Agribusiness Competition, which awarded the company’s planned expansion a $500,000 prize.
The company has requested the GCEDC transfer the existing facility’s payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement, and PILOT, sales, and mortgage tax exemptions valued at $70,413 to support the acquisition and expansion. The proposed incentives for the additional 4,000 sq. ft. are estimated to return $3.06 million in projected wages and municipal revenues for a $64.1 economic impact for every $1 of requested incentives.
The economic development efforts of Genesee County and the region and the state are closely aligned, said two officials who spoke at GCEDC's annual meeting Friday at Batavia Downs.
Ryan Silva, executive director of the NYS Economic Development Council (top photo), first gave an overview of the investments New York made in 2022 in economic development. Among them:
A $200 million investment program;
A $250 brownfield development program;
A $500 million tax recredit program designed to attract semiconductor manufacturers.
"All told, over the last 12 months, there has been $1.2 billion dollars in new economic development initiatives and funding dedicated to New York State," Silva said.
Silva applauded the accomplishments of GCEDC.
"Since the Steve Hyde era began in 2003, I was just amazed to hear some of those stats that you referenced, Steve -- 527 projects, $2 billion in capital, $5 million square feet of space and 5,000 jobs."
He added, "What does that say about how we can grow our economies? What we have to do is continue to build shovel-ready sites all across the state to attract and grow key industries. What does that say about Genesee County? To me, it says you're leveraging your strengths and your assets. Communities are stepping up and helping achieve their own goals, and GCEDC is setting the way. And then what does this mean for our future? It means better careers and outcomes for the families and the communities that we serve and remains revitalized downtown that will attract the next generation of workforce."
Laura Fox O'Sullivan, regional director of Empire State Development’s Finger Lakes Regional Office (second photo), visited Downtown Batavia during her visit to Genesee County and took note of the efforts to revitalize the city core during a lunch at Eli Fish, where she heard more about how the city is putting to work its $10 million in Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant award.
"The Batavia DRI project to me felt like such a microcosm of how Genesee County works," O'Sullivan said. "There are really strong partnerships, people know each other, and they really care about each other. And something that I've really been impressed by with Genesee County is that they have these long-standing partnerships, and they're really coming to fruition right now. It's such an exciting time to be here."
Photos by Howard Owens.
During his speech Steve Hyde, CEO of GCEDC, thanked all of the agencies partners, such as the Town of Alabama, Town of Pembroke, Town of Batavia, the City of Batavia and the Genesee County Legislature, as well as the agencies throughout the state that help the agency attract businesses to the county's shovel-ready industrial parks.
"It's also important to keep this growing," Hyde said. "Industrial development agencies oftentimes specifically are under attack legislatively at the state level, because they have legislation that gets launched that's narrowly focused and misguided. And that, if it passed, actually negatively impacts the competitiveness in New York State."
The Town of Pembroke, represented by Supervisor Thomas Schneider Jr., was honored as GCEDC development partner of the year.
We appreciate it greatly, but we also don't do what we do in Pembroke for accolades," Schneider said. "We do it for the betterment of the community. We do appreciate it. We've got a strong team behind us that also deserve recognition for getting the award. With all the development going on -- it's just all of the sudden sparked off like I couldn't imagine within a year."
Middle of the photo, Pete Zeliff, chairman of the GCEDC board of directors, and Shelley Stein, chair of the Genesee County Legislature.
When Steve Hyde asked audience members partnering with the county's workforce development efforts to raise their hands, among them Kevin MacDonald, superintendent of Genesee Valley BOCES.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) has announced that the Town of Pembroke will receive the Economic Development Partner of the Year award at the GCEDC’s annual business meeting on April 28, 2023 at Batavia Downs.
The town of Pembroke, located in the western part of Genesee County, continues to facilitate economic and community development with the GCEDC and other partners in the region. With the support of the town, the GCEDC has been able to build both a shovel-ready site, the Buffalo East Tech Park, and infrastructure improvements that enable Yancy’s Fancy to continue to produce good jobs and award-winning artisanal cheese enjoyed across the region. In 2022, construction of Brickhouse Commons is increasing capacity for market-rate apartments and future commercial spaces at the park.
"Through their vision and dedication, Genesee County’s municipalities create and expand our capacity for economic growth and financial investment. The town of Pembroke’s commitment to smart growth and a business-friendly approach has earned it a deserved reputation as an ideal place to invest and grow businesses, housing, and careers," said GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde. “This award is a testament to the leadership of the town.”
Since 2022, projects proposing over 1.6 million sq. ft. of facilities in Pembroke have been approved by the GCEDC’s Board of Directors, including the $142 million Horizon Acres Associates project, to service customers in Pembroke and across the Northeast US. The multi-phase project will be the largest economic development investment located outside of a GCEDC
business park in the agency’s history.
“The town of Pembroke continues to be a catalyst of economic development in collaboration with the GCEDC team as we have seen our housing stock grown and businesses invest which in turn has made Pembroke a desirable community to live, work and recreate,” said Town of Pembroke Supervisor Tom Schneider.
Approximately 250 business, government, community and economic developments leaders are expected to attend the annual meeting. To register, for the GCEDC Annual Meeting, contact the GCEDC at gcedc@gcedc.com, call 585-343-4866, or visit the event’s website.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) board of directors accepted GSPP Route 262, LLC’s initial resolution to construct a 5 MW (AC) community solar project in the town of Byron at its board meeting on Thursday, March 30, 2023.
GSPP Route 262, LLC would generate $4,000 per MW with a 2% annual escalator of PILOT revenues for Genesee County, the Town of Byron, and Byron-Bergen Central School District.
The project also includes a proposed 15-year host agreement for the town of Byron at $2,000 per MW with a 2% annual increase which would generate approximately $172,934 to the town over the life of the agreement.
In total, GSPP Route 262, LLC is estimated to generate a $627,303 increase in property-tax type revenues to host municipalities resulting in $5.14 in revenue for every $1 generated from the property’s current use.
GSPP Route 262, LLC has requested a sales tax exemption of $1.056 million, a mortgage tax exemption of $70,993 and a property tax exemption of $778,344.
A public hearing on the proposed project will be scheduled in the town of Byron.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) board of directors will consider an initial resolution for GSPP Route 262, LLC’s 5 MW community solar project at its board meeting on Thursday, March 30, 2023. The project’s total capital investment is estimated at $13 million and will be located in the town of Byron.
GSPP Route 262, LLC’s project is aligned with New York's goals for renewable energy, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions, and will offer customers a 10% discount vs. average market rates for the generated power.
Agreements negotiated for GSPP Route 262, LLC’s project PILOT would generate $4,000/MWAC + a 2% annual escalator of revenues with Genesee County, the Town of Byron, and Byron-Bergen Central School District. This project is estimated to generate a $627,303 increase in property-tax type revenues to host municipalities.
If the project application is accepted, a public hearing will be scheduled on the proposed project agreement in the town of Byron.
The March 30, 2023, GCEDC board meeting will be held at 4 p.m. at the MedTech Center’s Innovation Zone, 99 MedTech Drive, Batavia. Meeting materials and links to a live stream/on-demand recording of the meeting is available at www.gcedc.com
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) is inviting community partners to join them for the GCEDC’s annual meeting on Friday, April 28 at Batavia Downs.
The theme of the annual meeting is #GrowingGenesee, highlighting the ripple effects of the past 20 years of economic growth and significant milestones with projects at STAMP, expanding workforce development, and economic growth across Genesee County.
“This event really provides us the opportunity to share our accomplishments over the last year and to express our thanks to all of our public and private sector partners,” said Peter Zeliff, Chairman of the GCEDC Board of Directors.
The annual meeting’s keynote speaker, and the GCEDC’s partner of the year, will be announced in the coming weeks.
Past partners of the year include National Grid, Genesee Community College, Genesee County, City & Town of Batavia and the Batavia Development Corporation, National Fuel Corporation, the Town of Alabama, Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, and HP Hood.
“With projects like Plug Power and Edwards growing at STAMP, expansions by our manufacturers and a wave of downtown projects and new investment, there’s no better time to reflect on the previous year and the opportunities for future growth,” said GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde. “We are excited to share how Genesee County is growing and connect with our partners at the annual meeting.”
Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) hosted its second annual free food processing boot camp for 30 graduating Genesee County high school students, setting them up for high-wage-in-demand careers.
The three-day program featured industry experts educating students about the many job opportunities in the food processing industry. Participants received a “Cornell Food Processing Certificate,” which will give them an advantage when applying for jobs.
The food processing industry is Genesee County’s number-one employment field. Participating organizations included H.P. Hood, O-AT-KA Milk Products, Upstate Niagara, Yancey’s Fancy, and Nortera. After the success of the inaugural program last year, Genesee County has set a great example of what workforce development programs can do for a community.
“Genesee County offers hundreds of immediate job opportunities to well-trained, hard-working individuals, making it a blueprint for future educational programs,” said Dairy Foods Extension Program Director Kimberly Bukowski. “Thanks to the success of this initiative and funding provided by Governor Hochul’s new Office of Strategic Workforce Development, we intend to expand our workforce development program throughout the state.”
This is one of many successful programs Genesee County has hosted to prepare the next generation of workforce candidates for fulfilling careers in advanced manufacturing, agriculture, skilled trades, and more.
GCEDC VP of Business and Workforce Development Chris Suozzi said, “Genesee County has seen its workforce readiness investment pay off for years, as many businesses have relocated here because of our qualified candidates.” He added, “Leaders from local institutions such as the Workforce Development Institute, GCEDC, and Genesee Valley BOCES have been catalysts in preparing graduating seniors with the skills needed for industries in their backyard.”
The Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program (FLYAP) held its annual “Signing Day” ceremony at the Genesee Community College’s BEST Center on Thursday, March 9, 2023. Nearly 40 students from the Batavia Campus of the Genesee Valley BOCES signed up for job shadows and paid co-ops at a dozen advanced manufacturing companies in the region.
“Students from the Genesee Valley BOCES in Batavia are already receiving some of the best career and technical education training in the classroom which is preparing them for the 21st-century workforce,” said Rich Turner, RTMA Director of Workforce Development. “The Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Programs compliments these students’ classroom training by connecting seniors and juniors to a one-of-a-kind job shadow or paid co-op at manufacturing companies across the region.”
The Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program was created in 2018 and is the first youth apprenticeship program for students interested in manufacturing in New York State. FLYAP partners with every BOCES and Career and Technical Education high school throughout the greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region.
“We are so very proud that through Genesee Valley BOCES and our relationships with amazing business partners, students receive experiences that will lead them into successful careers,” added GV BOCES Batavia Campus Executive Principal Rachel Slobert. “Whether it is a job shadow or paid internship, these opportunities allow students to get real-world experience prior to graduation.”
FLYAP is a program of the Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association (RTMA) and is supported by Monroe Community College (MCC) and the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC). The Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program is also supported with funding from the Rochester Gas & Electric Economic Development Grant and Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.
“The students at the Genesee Valley BOCES and our region’s career and technical education centers are entering the manufacturing and skilled trades workforce with career-ready skills and experiences,” said Chris Suozzi, GCEDC Vice President of Business & Workforce Development. “The Youth Apprenticeship Program builds on those experiences with a direct pathway to rewarding careers at our region’s employers.”
To date, more than 400 high school juniors and seniors and nearly 150 businesses have participated in the program. in addition to the students’ work experiences, most take college-level courses at no charge through a dual enrollment agreement between participating schools and MCC. Entering this year, participants have taken more than 350 classes.
The next FLYAP “Signing Day” ceremony will be on Tuesday, March 14 at the Orleans Niagara BOCES in Medina, Orleans County. Additional programs can be found at www.flyap.org; or you can contact FLYAP at info@fingerlakesyouthapprenticeship.org or (585) 510-4278.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center Board of Directors (GCEDC) will consider a final resolution for a $142 million investment proposed in the town of Pembroke at a board meeting on March 2, 2023.
Horizon Acres Associates, LLC, based in Rockland County, is partnering with Geis Companies, based in Streetsboro, OH, to build six flex commercial/industrial facilities totaling 1.5 million square feet. The project would be located on 115 acres immediately off the 48-A interchange on the New York State Thruway, giving access to transportation networks throughout the region.
“In addition to the direct impact this project will have in Pembroke, these facilities are going to be an integral addition to the recruitment of potential tenants at the Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) and other nearby locations,” said GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde. “At full build-out, the campus is estimated to create up to 400 new jobs, we have the workforce candidates and programs to support this ambitious number.”
The company plans to start construction in 2023 with the goal of having one to two buildings totaling 560,000 square feet, being operational in late 2024. The facilities will be suitable for a large single tenant, multiple smaller tenants, or suppliers for advanced manufacturing projects.
Horizon Acres Associates, LLC is requesting a sales tax exemption estimated at $6.2 million, a property tax abatement estimated at $11.9 million, and a mortgage tax exemption estimated at $1.1 million. The project is projected to generate $7.9 million in PILOT revenues to municipalities during the proposed 10-year project agreement, which is estimated at 39.5 times the municipal revenue that would be generated under the property’s current use.
The GCEDC’s economic analysis of the project estimates a $227 million impact, including $218 million in payroll and $9.1 million in revenues to the Town of Pembroke, the Pembroke Central School District and Genesee County. For every $1 of public benefit requested, the project is projected to generate $16 into the local economy.
A public hearing was held on the proposed project agreements on Jan. 30 in the Town of Pembroke.
The success of GLOW with Your Hands in workforce recruitment in the manufacturing sector and the urgent workforce need for healthcare providers has once again brought businesses, educational organizations, and economic development agencies from across the region to collaborate to provide an incredible opportunity for GLOW region students to learn about the careers in their own backyard in the healthcare sector.
Approximately 600 students in grades 8-12 from 28 schools will gather at Genesee Community College on March 24 to connect with various healthcare businesses and organizations to learn about the multitude of gratifying jobs in healthcare and science-related fields throughout the GLOW region.
“Our collaboration once again focuses on supplying GLOW region employers with the resources that will facilitate the ongoing development of our future healthcare workforce,” said Karyn Winters, director of the Genesee County Business Education Alliance Director and Co-Chair of GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare. “We are very excited to provide another hands-on career exploration experience for students across the GLOW region.”
Healthcare is an essential component of the regional economy as evidenced by various developments and expansions across the GLOW area. GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare will provide the healthcare sector with the opportunity to meet and recruit its future workforce as these projects are completed and start operations.
“The GLOW region gives United Memorial Medical Center access to an educated, well-trained workforce because of our partners in the private sector, which is why we continue to make significant investments in the area,” said Dan Ireland, President of United Memorial Medical Center. “These investments will create hundreds of new jobs, and we need the next generation of workforce candidates to fill them.”
“We are all aware of the current challenges in the healthcare sector, especially in rural areas such as the GLOW region,” said Angela Grouse, Education to Employment Director at the Livingston County Area Chamber and Co-Chair of GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare. “Our goal is to showcase local healthcare organizations and businesses to our students as they plan to start their careers so they can be a part of the workforce solution.”
“We are always trying to find new strategies and services that prepare our students to enter the workforce upon graduation,” said Justin Dueppengiesser, Executive Director, of Wyoming County Business Education Council. “The GLOW region is special because we have so many organizations working together that passionately want to find job and career opportunities for our youth to keep them here.”
Students will also have the opportunity to interact with colleges, universities, and secondary and post-secondary training programs to learn about the career pathways offered through these academic institutions.
“It means so much to our GCC community, as not only do students get to interact with local healthcare organizations to learn about different careers, but this also gives us a chance to expose GLOW region students to affordable options available at our college that can lead to good-paying careers in the healthcare sector,” said Maureen Welch, Director of Respiratory Care at Genesee Community College.
Various healthcare businesses and organizations have demonstrated their appreciation of the value of this event with generous support including: ESL Federal Credit Union, Livingston County Area Chamber Of Commerce: Education to Employment, Wyoming County Community Health Services Skilled Nursing Facility, Rochester Regional Health, M & T Bank, UR Medicine | Noyes Health, Workforce Development Institute, Lifetime Assistance, Blossom Modern Home Care Solutions, Batavia Downs, Episcopal Senior Life Communities, VNA of WNY, and the Iroquois Job Corps.
There are still sponsorship opportunities for the March 24th event at the Platinum ($5,000), Gold ($2,500), Silver ($1,000) and Bronze ($500) levels.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board approved financial agreements to support Edwards Vacuum, part of the Atlas Copco Group, for the first phase of the company’s $209 million semiconductor dry pump manufacturing facility at the Science Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) in the town of Alabama, NY at its February 2, 2023 meeting.
Edwards Vacuum’s “factory of the future” will serve the semiconductor industry and advanced manufacturing sectors and create approximately 343 new high-paying jobs. The facility is projected to generate more than $13.4 million in future revenues to the Town of Alabama, Genesee County, Oakfield-Alabama School District, and the Alabama Fire Department over 20 years.
Atlas Copco USA Holdings Inc. & Subsidiaries (Edwards Vacuum) has requested sales tax exemptions of approximately $4.34 million and a 20-year property tax abatement of approximately $12.85 million. The project is estimated to generate $644 million in payroll and projected future municipal revenues, and a $39 benefit to the local economy for every $1 of public investment.
Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) has accepted initial applications for incentives to advance the two of the largest capital investment projects in the County’s history. Edwards Vacuum, part of the Atlas Copco Group, is proposing to invest $212 million for the first phase of the company’s semiconductor dry pump manufacturing project at New York’s Green Manufacturing mega site at STAMP; while Horizon Acres Associates, Inc. is proposing to invest $142 million to build six flex commercial/industrial facilities totaling 1.5 million square feet in the Town of Pembroke.
“These are substantial milestones for our community as Atlas Copco Group and Horizon Acres Associates Inc. are making two of the largest financial investments in county history,” said GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde. “These historic investments represent the significant interest we’ve seen in Genesee County and at STAMP among companies exploring new business opportunities as a result of the growth of the advanced manufacturing and semiconductor sectors in our region and across upstate.”
Phase 1 of Edwards Vacuum’s “factory of the future” will create 343 high-wage careers that will support the company’s domestic semiconductor customer base. It is anticipated that over a 20-year span, the project will generate approximately $13.4 million in revenues for the Town of Alabama, Genesee County, Oakfield-Alabama School District, and the Alabama Fire Department.
Atlas Copco USA Holdings Inc. & Subsidiaries (Edwards Vacuum) has requested sales tax exemptions of $4.34 million and a 20-year property tax abatement of approximately $12.85 million. The project is estimated to generate $644 million in payroll and projected future municipal revenues, a $39 benefit to the local economy for every $1 of public investment.
A public hearing will be scheduled on the proposed project agreements in the town of Alabama. Horizon Acres Associates, LLC’s 1.5 million square-foot flex campus will play a vital role in growing the capacity for business growth in Genesee County and support the attraction of companies locating at the Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) and other nearby locations. The campus will include six flex commercial/industrial facilities, with plans to start construction in late 2023.
The facilities will be suitable for a large single tenant, multiple smaller tenants, or suppliers for advanced manufacturing projects. The development is estimated to create up to 400 new jobs at full capacity.
Horizon Acres Associates, LLC has requested a sales tax exemption estimated at $6.2 million, a property tax abatement estimated at $11.9 million, and a mortgage tax exemption estimated at $1.1 million. The project is projected to generate $7.9 million in revenues to the Town of Pembroke, the Pembroke Central School District and Genesee County during the proposed 10-year PILOT agreement, which is estimated at 39.5 times the municipal revenue that would be generated under the property’s current use.
The GCEDC’s economic analysis of the project estimates a $227 million impact, including $218 million in payroll and $9.1 million in future municipal revenues. For every $1 of public benefit the project is projected to generate $16 into the local economy. A public hearing will be scheduled on the proposed project agreements in the town of Pembroke.
Finally, the board accepted a final resolution from NY CDG Genesee 4 LLC for a 4.275 MW community solar farm in the Town of Pavilion on Shepard Road. The $6.5 million project is projected to generate approximately $500,000 in future revenues to Genesee County, the Town of Pavilion and the Pavilion Central Schools.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) will consider an initial application for incentives from Edwards Vacuum, part of the Atlas Copco Group, for the $212 million first phase of the company’s semiconductor dry pump manufacturing project at the Science Technology and Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) in the town of Alabama, NY. The GCEDC Board of Directors will review and consider the application at its January 12, 2023 meeting.
Edwards Vacuum’s “factory of the future” is being constructed to serve the semiconductor industry and advanced manufacturing sectors and would create approximately 343 new high-paying jobs. The new facility is projected to generate more than $13.4 million in future revenues to the Town of Alabama, Genesee County, Oakfield-Alabama School District and the Alabama Fire Department over 20 years.
“Thanks to Senator Schumer and his leadership in passing the Federal CHIPS and Science Act and New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s advocacy in passing New York's Green CHIPS legislation, we are bringing a ‘factory of the future’ to STAMP now,” said GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde.
Atlas Copco USA Holdings Inc. & Subsidiaries (Edwards Vacuum) is requesting sales tax exemptions with estimated savings of $4.34 million and a 20-year property tax abatement with approximately $12.85 million in estimated savings. The project is estimated to generate $644 million in payroll and projected future municipal revenues, a $39 benefit to the local economy for every $1 of public investment.
If the incentives application is accepted, a public hearing will be scheduled on the proposed project agreements in the town of Alabama. The GCEDC Board meeting is Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 4 p.m. at 99 MedTech Drive in Batavia.
2021 File Photo of Sen. Charles Schumer and Steve Hyde, CEO of Genesee County Economic Development Center during an announcement about Edward's Vacuum, by Howard Owens.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center will consider a project with the fifth largest proposed capital investment in Genesee County history at its Jan. 12, 2023, meeting.
Horizon Acres Associates, LLC., based in Rockland County, partnering with Geis Companies, based in Streetsboro, Ohio, is proposing to invest $142 million to build six flex commercial/industrial facilities totaling 1.5 million square feet in the Town of Pembroke. The project would be located on 115 acres immediately off the 48-A interchange on the New York State Thruway and is positioned to support project companies located at the Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) as well as other nearby locations.
“This historic economic development investment in Genesee County, similar to the major investments made by Edwards Vacuum and Plug Power in just the last couple of years, demonstrates our community’s high capacity for private sector growth,” said GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde. “It’s no coincidence that this type of investment is being considered here as a result of continuing growth at STAMP and our central location between Buffalo and Rochester.”
The company plans to start construction in the 4th quarter of 2023 with the goal of having one to two buildings totaling 560,000 square feet operational in late 2024. The facilities will be suitable for a large single tenant, multiple smaller tenants, or suppliers for advanced manufacturing projects. The development is estimated to create up to 400 new jobs at full build-out.
Horizon Acres Associates, LLC is requesting a sales tax exemption estimated at $6.2 million, a property tax abatement estimated at $11.9 million and a mortgage tax exemption estimated at $1.1 million. The project is projected to generate $7.9 million in PILOT revenues to municipalities during the proposed 10-year project agreement, which is estimated at 39.5 times the municipal revenue that would be generated under the property’s current use.
The GCEDC’s economic analysis of the project estimates a $227 million impact, including $218 million in payroll and $9.1 million in revenues to the Town of Pembroke, the Pembroke Central School District and Genesee County. For every $1 of public benefit, the project is projected to generate $16 in the local economy.
The project ranks only behind Plug Power (2021), Edwards Vacuum (2023), HP Hood (2017), and Project Dairy (2012) for the largest capital investments by commercial/industrial projects in Genesee County history.
If the project application is accepted, a public hearing will be scheduled on the proposed project agreements in the town of Pembroke.
If all goes as expected, a solar energy project in Elba and Oakfield will net a nearly $88 million gain for Genesee County over the next three decades, Steve Hyde says.
The CEO of the county’s Economic Development Center reviewed that financial projection as part of a Hecate Energy Cider Solar LLC project. Public hearings were recently conducted in each municipality, with a few comments and not much of an outpouring of concerns or complaints, Hyde said.
He and Marketing and Communications Director Jim Krencik presented the review during Wednesday’s Ways & Means Committee meeting. Krencik credited a successful negotiation between all entities for the project’s forward progress.
“This is going to have a major impact philosophically and visually,” he said.
Once, or if, the measure is approved by both municipal boards and the county Legislature, the presence of a solar operation is to help fund infrastructure throughout the county via first-year payments to Elba ($989,739) and Oakfield-Alabama ($660,133) schools, the towns of Elba ($756,698) and Oakfield ($504,463), and Genesee County itself ($774,165), he said.
Thirty-year revenue predictions result with those entities each garnering $12 million to $19 million each, plus a residential utility bill credit of $2.5 million and special district taxes of nearly $5.8 million, Hyde and Krencik said. In the shorter term, each entity is predicted to receive anywhere from $504,463 to $989,739 from the deal in the first year alone.
Although the projects won’t create a lot of jobs, Hyde said, there is an impact of getting back $22 for every dollar invested, he said.
“We’ve got something here that’s pretty significant from a tax basis,” he said.
Committee legislators agreed with the plan.
“This is a transformational project for these communities,” Legislator Marianne Clattenburg said. “They need to get something back. We’re going to authorize our IDA to collect money on our behalf. If the state comes in, they’d be doing it for free.”
Admittedly, “playing tough” is not Hyde’s style, he said, but negotiations “got really tough at some points.”
There were more than 10 meetings from spring 2021 to this fall, and they involved each town’s, the county’s and EDC’s leadership to arrive at an agreement. If approved by the Towns of Elba and Oakfield -- slated for votes of consent on Thursday and Dec. 13 -- and then approved by the county Legislature on Dec. 14, "all parties would execute on their approved agreements with Hecate Energy Cider Solar LLC," Krencik said.
The time and effort has been worth it, Hyde said.
"Accomplishing a high level of fiscal benefits from solar energy projects has been a shared goal of the GCEDC, Genesee County, and our towns and schools. We thank the towns of Elba and Oakfield for their commitment and collaboration throughout the negotiations for Hecate Energy Cider Solar LLC," he said. "They have gone above and beyond in representing their communities," Hyde said.
The Batavian has reached out to the Town of Elba for the results of this week's expected vote and will add that once a reply is received.
Top File Photo: Steve Hyde, CEO of Genesee County Economic Development Center, by Howard Owens; above, Marketing and Communications Director Jim Krencik, from GCEDC website.
The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) board of directors advanced five projects totaling approximately $582.5 million of investments at its board meeting on Tuesday.
The board accepted initial applications from Hecate Energy Cider Solar LLC for a proposed $550 million utility-scale solar project in the towns Elba and Oakfield and for community solar projects in the town of Batavia and LeRoy totaling $20 million. The board also approved final incentives for a $12 million tourism hospitality project.
Hecate Energy Cider Solar LLC is proposing to construct a 500-megawatt utility-scale solar farm on multiple agricultural properties in the towns of Elba and Oakfield. The $550 million project would generate $73.5 million for host municipalities through a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) and community host agreements, including:
$13.18 million to Genesee County
$19.38 million to the Town of Elba
$12.92 million to the Town of Oakfield
$16.85 million to the Elba Central School District
$11.24 million to the Oakfield-Alabama School District
Public hearings will be scheduled for Hecate Energy Cider Solar LLC’s proposed project agreements in the town of Elba and the town of Oakfield.
The GCEDC board also approved a final resolution for 8250 Park Road LLC. The project proposes to invest $12 million for extensive renovations to the Quality Inn & Suites and Palm Island Indoor Water Park.
