Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that concrete manufacturer Otsego Ready Mix will construct a new plant in Delaware County, creating six new full-time jobs and retaining five positions. The company plans to modernize its operations, which will diversify production capacity and increase production. The new plant will be located in the Town of Davenport on State Highway 23.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “The expansion of Otsego Ready Mix is going to create new economic opportunities in the community. The Southern Tier Soaring strategic economic plan is truly making a difference across the region, supporting small businesses that create and retain jobs for Upstate New Yorkers.”
Otsego Ready Mix President Robert Harlem said, “Our intention is to construct a State of the Art Ready Mix Plant that will result in secure jobs for our employees while providing for the production of the latest concrete mix designs with a facility that incorporates the latest environmental and safety standards. This facility will be able to meet the demands of the new building codes and also be able to satisfy projects that require LEED in their design. Our goal is supply products that meet our customers' needs while providing the safest working conditions possible and be a good community member at the same time.”
In order to encourage Otsego Ready Mix to expand, ESD has offered a grant of up to $385,000 in exchange for job creation and retention commitments. The total project cost is nearly$2 million. Identifying and supporting companies poised for growth in the Southern Tier is a primary focus of the overall Southern Tier Soaring regional economic plan developed by the STREDC.
Southern Tier REDC Co-Chairs Tom Tranter, President & CEO of Corning Enterprises and Harvey Stenger, President of Binghamton University said, “Today's announcement is part of transformative change that is the Southern Tier Soaring economic initiative. It's thanks to the hard work and vision of Governor Cuomo that enterprises such as Otsego Ready Mix are able to expand and create jobs in Delaware County.”
State Senator James Seward said, “Otsego Ready Mix provides the foundation for economic growth, literally, throughout our region. Robert Harlem and his dedicated staff are the personification of a community-minded small business nd this grant is an ideal use of Upstate Revitalization Initiative funding. I applaud Empire State Development and Commissioner Zemsky for recognizing the importance of this business expansion and look forward to the future growth of Otsego Ready Mix here at home.”
Delaware County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tina Mole said, “Small family-owned businesses are the backbone of upstate, NY; helping them to grow and succeed is the very core of our mission in Delaware County”.
The project is expected to be completed in September of 2018. For more about Otsego Ready mix click here.
Accelerating Southern Tier Soaring
Today's announcement complements the “Southern Tier Soaring,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. This initiative is focused on innovation, vigorous business growth and to creating an environment aimed at attracting the best and brightest talent to the region. The State has already invested more than $3.1 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan which includes investing in key industries such as advanced manufacturing, food and agriculture and in efforts that support the greater Binghamton innovation ecosystem.
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 Binghamton, Johnson City and Corning as a destination in which to grow and invest.
The $500 million “Southern Tier Soaring” Upstate Revitalization Initiative announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015 will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 10,200 new jobs. More information is available here.
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