Successful Expansion Project is Supported By "Finger Lakes Forward" – the Region's Award-Winning Revitalization Plan to Grow the Economy and Create New Opportunities
Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that operations are up and running at American Packaging Corporation’s (APC) new, 215,000 square-foot facility in the Town of Chili, Monroe County. This State supported expansion has already enabled the company to hire 70 new employees, of which 40 are working at the new site. The sustainable packaging manufacturer currently has 200 employees working at its long-established plant on Driving Park Avenue in the City of Rochester. Overall, APC plans to create up to 260 new full-time jobs over the next five years in the Finger Lakes. The company previously considered constructing the new manufacturing plant near its facilities in Iowa; however, thanks to Governor Cuomo's Upstate Revitalization Initiative and the Finger Lakes Forward strategic plan, along with strong local support, the company decided to stay and grow in Upstate New York.
“We are proud to support the significant growth of American Packaging Corporation in Upstate New York,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “The company’s focus on providing solid job opportunities and contributing to a more sustainable community for generations to come, is yet another example of how the Finger Lakes region is establishing itself as a leader in the 21st Century economy.”
American Packaging is a family-owned, flexible packaging converter and a renowned leader in the North American packaging industry. Founded in 1902, APC serves a wide range of markets, specializing in flexographic and rotogravure printing; multi-ply extrusion and adhesive lamination of film, paper, and foil; and pouch and bag fabrication to meet a variety of requirements.
American Packaging President & CEO Peter Schottland said, “American Packaging’s investment in the region is well underway with production having begun in January 2018. We couldn’t be any more optimistic about the future of our operations and hope to soon be announcing yet another expansion of this operation. Thank you to Governor Cuomo and his team for their support bringing into the region high skilled, high pay manufacturing jobs. Well done to all!”
The company’s flexible packaging products offer exceptional environmental benefits as they use less energy and fewer resources. APC has also partnered with the Rochester Institute of Technology by funding the Center for Packaging Innovation on campus. Funding from the Wegmans Family Charitable Foundation was used to establish the Center.
Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Monroe Community College President Anne Kress and Rochester Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Bob Duffy said, "Through its partnership with RIT and The Wegmans Family Charitable Foundation, American Packaging is working hard to find solutions that will enable the grocery industry to continue to provide products in a sustainable manner. Congratulations on your continued success, and thank you for helping us to move the Finger Lakes forward.”
In order to secure American Packaging’s expansion and job growth in Upstate New York, Empire State Development offered up to $14.7 million in performance-based incentives, including $7.7 million in Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative grants and $7 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits. Monroe County also provided incentives for the project.
Senator Joseph E. Robach said, “American Packaging Corporation’s continued growth and expansion in the Rochester region is exciting news for our local economy and skilled workforce. I am certain that APC’s reputation of innovation and excellent service will be aided by this state-of-the-art facility, and that their footprint will continue to grow in Monroe County.”
Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer said, "I applaud the completion of American Packaging's new manufacturing plant in the Town of Chili. This major investment, by a renowned leader in the North American packaging industry, is helping to grow our local economy and create new manufacturing jobs for residents in Monroe County,"
“I applaud Peter Schottland and the team at American Packaging Corporation for their commitment to our region,” said Assemblymember Harry Bronson. “Today’s announcement by the company and Governor Cuomo shows that the Rochester area has a strong, diverse, and skilled workforce and is in an economic position to create jobs for the future. I look forward to American Packaging growth and the addition of new jobs at their new Chili campus.”
Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said, "I am thrilled that American Packaging's new facility is now open for business in Monroe County, supporting over 300 more jobs here. Our Economic Development team was closely involved with the project's site selection from day one and I am proud that we were ultimately able to keep this job-creating project in our area. I thank American Packaging for their commitment to doing business in our community and supporting local jobs for our residents and families.”
Chili Town Supervisor David Dunning said, "The expansion in Chili of this incredibly successful company means new opportunities for the Town and new jobs for the hard-working people of this region. I thank Governor Cuomo and American Packaging for making it a reality."
“American Packaging, one of the largest privately held flexible packaging converters in North American, is rapidly expanding its presence in the Greater Rochester, NY region so that it is poised to support the marketplace of the future,” said Matt Hurlbutt, president and CEO, Greater Rochester Enterprise. “Smart businesses such as American Packaging recognize that our community has the high-caliber talent available at very competitive rates to support cutting-edge technologies.”
More information about American Packaging is available 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 $5.2 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.
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