Investment Complements “Finger Lakes Forward” – The Region’s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy
Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that printing solutions manufacturer Panther Graphics has expanded its’ operations in downtown Rochester, Monroe County. The expansion included the installation of a new offset printing press at the downtown business. State support for the project required the creation of 10 new full-time jobs by 2018, a provision that has already been met. In fact, the company is currently looking to hire an additional five employees. 16 jobs were also retained at the graphic design firm.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “Supporting the growth of downtown businesses is an important part of the regionally designed, Finger Lakes Forward economic development plan. For nearly twenty-five years, Panther Graphics has invested in Rochester and we’re confident that their expansion will bring continued success.”
Panther Graphics President Daryll “Tony” Jackson, Sr. said, “Panther Graphics is very proud to be a part of the City of Rochester’s business community for close to 25 years. Our growth and success is the result of positive relationships with many strong partners who recognize not just the value of our products, but also the value of our people, and our commitment to community. In partnership with New York State, we are proud to be able to offer even more good jobs with good wages for even more people in Rochester. We thank Empire State Development, Governor Cuomo and all our state leaders for recognizing and contributing to our future growth.”
Empire State Development is assisting Panther Graphics with the expansion by providing up to $150,000 through the Excelsior Tax Credit program in exchange for job creation commitments. The company invested $625,000 in the project, which included the installation of the new printing press.
Founded in 1993, Panther Graphics, located on Central Avenue, provides complete capability for long and short runs of printed products of every description, access to graphic art and creative services, fulfillment and inventory management. The company’s work includes designs featured in annual reports, banners and signs, marketing collateral and several other products. The company also offers assembly, packaging and shipping services.
Panther Graphics was named to the Inc. Magazine Inner City 100 list of the one hundred fastest growing companies in America’s inner cities in 2001 and again in 2008 – 2010.
State Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle said, “The continued growth of our local downtown businesses, like Panther, plays a key role in the strength of our regional economy. I am excited by this expansion and am grateful to Governor Cuomo and Empire State Development for their dedicated efforts to investing in our future, creating more jobs, and growing the Rochester economy.”
State Senator Joe Robach said, "Panther Graphics has been a staple of our business community for almost 25 years. I applaud today’s announcement not only for the future of Panther Graphics and the City of Rochester but for the people who fill the jobs that are being created moving forward."
State Assemblyman David Gantt, “For nearly 25 years, Panther Graphics has provided the Rochester community with high-quality commercial printing. They have demonstrated their commitment to Rochester by continuing to hire local talent and keeping their operations in Downtown Rochester. This new expansion, along with the promise to create and/or retain 30 jobs, is a testament to that commitment. I would like to thank Tony Jackson and Panther Graphics for being invested in the future of Rochester, and I look forward to their continued success into the future.”
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren said, “I want to thank Tony Jackson for his continued investment in Rochester and congratulate him for the expansion of his business. Panther Graphics is a Rochester institution, providing excellent service and good-paying jobs for a quarter of a century. I am grateful to Governor Cuomo and Empire State Development for supporting Panther Graphics through Finger Lakes Forward, which is helping us achieve our goals of creating more jobs, safer, more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities for our citizens.”
Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo said, “We are grateful for Panther Graphics’ continued investment in new jobs in Downtown Rochester. Panther’s latest exciting expansion will grow more jobs and opportunity in the heart of our Center City and help demonstrate that Monroe County is open for business!”
For additional information about Panther Graphics, 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 $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.
Contact:
Shari Voorhees-Vincent | [email protected] | (585) 399-7055
Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313