Village of Akron Company’s $18 Million Project Adds a 20,000 Square-Foot Facility, State-of-the-Art Machinery, and Creates New Jobs

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced Perry’s Ice Cream Company Inc. has completed a new 20,000-square-foot building, adjacent to its existing manufacturing facility, that expands its production capabilities to meet the growth of the hand-held novelty market. The Village of Akron company also purchased new state-of-the-art machinery and equipment to better accommodate the growing demand for frozen Greek yogurt novelties. Perry’s has committed to creating up to 15 new jobs at its 1 Ice Cream Plaza location, as part of the expansion project; 370 jobs will be retained. ESD assisted Perry’s by providing up to $365,000 in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits in exchange for job creation commitments.

Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Congratulations to Perry’s Ice Cream on completing a project that will help ensure a steady supply of sweet treats for all its customers. The expansion is a win for the region; adding jobs, a new line to produce more ice cream products, and supporting the local dairy farmers who supply the milk to the factory.”

Industry experts are forecasting the frozen novelty market size will be worth 9.64 billion by 2029. To meet this growing demand, Perry’s established a new extruded novelty line that will serve its current and future contract manufacturing customers. The new manufacturing line has the ability to craft conventional ice cream-based options, as well as sorbet, yogurt, non-dairy varieties and more. The $18 million project included the addition of a building to house the new extruded ice cream novelty machine and conveyor systems, as well as renovations of another 2,875 square feet of space, and upgrades to the site’s engine room and pump room.

Robert Denning, President & CEO, Perry’s Ice Cream said, “This investment and associated expansion begins another chapter in Perry’s long NY history. The new, state-of-the-art equipment expands our manufacturing capabilities and ensures that we continue to adapt and grow to meet customer and consumer needs with innovative and exciting products. We appreciate the support from Empire State Development and are thrilled to contribute to the economic health of our region.”

The company’s successes couldn’t happen without the contributions of local dairy farmers who provide nearly 100% of the milk used at the growing manufacturing facility. Using the same recipe passed down through four generations, Perry’s uses fresh, local, high-quality milk and cream to craft and slow-cook its ice cream for a creamy texture and taste that consumers have enjoyed for more than 100 years.  Perry’s also funds research and development into new and improving products, production processes, and logistics.  This R&D will increase as the company explores new ice cream production capabilities with the expanded technology and different types of products being manufactured.

Perry’s Ice Cream, a Great Lakes regional brand, was founded in 1918 and is Upstate New York’s #1 ice cream manufacturer, offering a wide variety of ice cream and frozen novelty treats. The fourth generation of the family-owned business continues building on its success by deploying a three-pillar strategy to diversify its business model: manufacturing the traditional Perry’s brand, contract manufacturing, and distributing partner brands; with a distribution system that covers more than 100,000 square miles and a global contract manufacturing segment that supplies to over 35 countries.

The Erie County Industrial Development Agency [ECIDA] provided the project with $$426,947 in sales tax benefits, $17,123 in mortgage recording tax savings, and a $2 million loan through the ECIDA’s lending arm, the Regional Development Corporation [RDC].

ECIDA/RDC President and CEO John Cappellino said, “Perry’s Ice Cream is a legacy brand and one of Erie County’s most important agribusiness employers, providing critical market opportunities for our local dairy farms. On behalf of the ECIDA staff and Board of Directors, I congratulate Perry’s on expanding their product line with this new facility.”

Senator Patrick Gallivan said, "For more than 100 years, Perry's Ice Cream has been part of the Western New York community and the company's continued growth is good news for employees, the local dairy industry, customers and the region's economy.  I congratulate Perry's on its expansion, appreciate their investment and thank them for continuing to call Akron home."  

State Assemblyman Michael Norris said, “Perry's Ice Cream has been a staple in Western New York for decades and this expansion is hard earned and well deserved.  Perry's is a community cornerstone and is part of an amazing business hub in Akron. They are committed to serving their customers, employees and community and I could not be more proud for them and am excited to see what the future holds following this expansion.”

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, “Perry’s Ice Cream expansion in Akron is a double scoop of good news for Erie County, not only retaining jobs but adding new ones while growing the world-famous ice cream makers’ footprint right here. It’s good news for local dairy producers as well, who provide the milk for Perry’s famous frozen treats, and I thank Perry’s for working with the ECIDA and Empire State Development to make this expansion a reality.”

For additional information about Perry’s Ice Cream please visit: https://www.perrysicecream.com/.

About Empire State Development 

Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency. 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 the New York State Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of "I LOVE NY,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, please visit  

www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.

Contact:
Pamm Lent | [email protected] | (716) 846-8309
Laura Magee | [email protected] | (716) 846-8239