Empire State Development meetings

With videoconferencing to: Empire State Development – Buffalo Office 95 Perry Street – Suite 500 Buffalo, NY 14203

Leading Flexible Packaging Manufacturer Will Build 25,000-Square-Foot Addition to Facility in the Town of Ogden; Will Hire up to 40 New Employees Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that leading flexible packaging manufacturer ProAmpac will expand its existing facility to establish an innovation center in the Town of Ogden, Monroe County. The company will build a 25,000- square-foot addition to its facility on Manitou Road in the Town of Ogden. Because of the expansion, ProAmpac plans to hire up to 40 new employees. The innovation center will focus on packaging development and design and will also host regional and global consumer packaged goods companies and vendors for events and training.  ProAmpac had considered building the innovation center out of state but chose to expand at its current location thanks to the support from New York State. "ProAmpac’s decision to expand in Monroe County is proof-positive that we are attracting 21st century companies that are fueling the economic momentum helping to move the Finger Lakes forward," said Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler. “This expansion will boost the local manufacturing sector, provide jobs strengthening the regional economy and support a more sustainable community for years to come." ProAmpac is a leading manufacturer of flexible packaging with 27 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. The global flexible packaging company brings brand owners and packaging experts together to accelerate advanced technology and increase speed-to-market, package customization and consumer differentiation. The company manufactures innovative and sustainable packing for customers in the food and beverage, health and beauty, lawn and garden, pet, retail and secure packaging industries. ProAmpac CEO Greg Tucker said, “This expansion of our new Collaboration & Innovation Center (CIC) solidifies ProAmpac’s commitment to our customers. The growth of our Design and Sample Lab (DASL), analytical testing lab and additional new equipment offer opportunities for new product innovations and additional sustainability offerings in the future. By solidifying our collaboration with the State of New York, ProAmpac is committed to creating jobs that will further expand our offerings in flexible packaging.” ESD is assisting ProAmpac’s innovation center project with up to $1.35 million through a capital grant and through the Excelsior Jobs Program in exchange for job creation commitments. Monroe County and Greater Rochester Enterprise are also assisting the company. ProAmpac expects the almost $8 million project to be completed by June 2021. State Senator Rob Ortt said, “It is great to see an employer like ProAmpac making this commitment to Monroe County and New York State. This will not only help create new jobs, but it will also create a venue for industry professionals from outside our region to visit and better their craft. By constructing a facility that will double as a training and industry event center, we will increase foot traffic to our area and help stimulate our surrounding economy.”  State Assemblyman Peter Lawrence said, “Today’s announcement is another great example of how we are retaining our workforce and cultivating new growth in a competitive industry. I would like to thank my partners in government for providing the resources and support to ProAmpac in their continued investment to our community.” Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said, “We are thrilled that ProAmpac is choosing to grow its innovative manufacturing facility right here, bringing the kinds of jobs and investment we need to build a brighter future for Monroe County. Greater Rochester Enterprise President & CEO Matt Hurlbut said, “ProAmpac leaders’ decision to establish their corporate innovation center here underscores the depth and breadth of packaging expertise, talent, and connectivity to R&D resources available in the Greater Rochester, N.Y., region.” For additional information regarding ProAmpac, click here. Accelerating Finger Lakes Forward  Today’s announcement complements “Finger Lakes Forward,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $8.07 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. More information is available here. ​   Contact: Shari Voorhees-Vincent | [email protected] | (585) 399-7055 Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313

Congers Facility to Create 21 New Jobs 130-year-old New York Company Supported by Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that Star Kay White, a flavor base and extract manufacturing company that has been in business in New York since 1890, has completed a new facility and renovations in Congers, Rockland County. The company will create 21 new jobs in the new facility while retaining 118 existing jobs. This project was supported by the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (MHREDC). Today is the company’s 130th anniversary. Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, “Star Kay White has had a ‘star’-ring role as a business leader and local economic engine throughout its incredible 130-year history in New York State, and we’re proud to be a part of the company’s latest expansion as it continues to add to the Mid-Hudson’s economy and provide advanced manufacturing work for New Yorkers.” To encourage the company to expand in New York, ESD offered up to $350,000 in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits. Star Kay White also received $2.25 million from the MHREDC for this project in 2016. The project upgraded the company’s infrastructure, technology and equipment, making its manufacturing processes more efficient and better able to meet customer needs. Star Kay White President Benjamin Katzenstein said, “Star Kay White is proud to be a fifth-generation family owned company that has always been in New York. Originally in lower Manhattan, from 1890 to 1928, then in the Bronx from 1929 to 1984, Star Kay White made a new home in Congers in 1984. We’ve grown tenfold since then. We love the community and we love what we do: “Making the Stuff That Makes Ice Cream Taste Great Since 1890.” Star Kay White was founded in Manhattan and later operated a factory in the Bronx before moving to Congers in 1984. The company’s footprint in Congers has since expanded several times. The company has been run by the same family, the Katzensteins, since it was founded. Today, the fifth generation of Katzensteins works at Star Kay White. “Star Kay White has been loyal to New York State for more than a century, and we are happy to see the company continue to innovate, expand and hire more people,” said Donald Christian, co-chair of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council and president of SUNY New Paltz. “The MHREDC supports homegrown companies that hire New Yorkers, generate economic growth and give back to their communities. Star Kay White’s latest expansion certainly fits the bill and will contribute to the Mid-Hudson region’s continued economic success.” Senator David Carlucci said, “We need to attract companies to the Hudson Valley who create good paying jobs, if we want to help rebuild the middle class. I am proud to support the State’s efforts to invest in Rockland’s Star Kay White manufacturing company. The company will benefit our local economy and attract new economic development.” Assemblyman Kenneth P. Zebrowski said, “Star Kay White has been in New York State for over a century now and has called Rockland home for almost 40 years. This new facility results in the creation of over 20 new jobs and will continue to strengthen our regional and local economic growth. The State’s support of family run businesses like Star Kay White is a testament to generations of success and I am thankful for their investment and continued growth in our community." Rockland County Executive Ed Day said, “Star Kay White has been a fixture of Rockland County for over 30 years, and I am thrilled to see them continue to invest in our community. Fostering expansion and job creation is the proper role of government and I am thankful for the team effort that led to this much needed infrastructure upgrade that will lead their company into the future.” Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann said, "Clarkstown is honored to have Star Kay White, a longtime family owned, worldwide producer of ice cream flavors and other confections located right here in Congers. Star Kay White is a true example of the American Dream with the Katzenstein's having immigrated from Germany, starting a business, and continuing to operate within the family for 5 generations. They are an important part of the economic engine that drives our Town.  We wish Star Kay White many more years of success in the Town of Clarkstown."   About Empire State Development Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NEW YORK,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov. Contact: Adam Kilduff | [email protected] | (212) 803-3744 ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313