Empire State Development (ESD) today announced Tioga Hardwoods Incorporated, a wood products manufacturer located in Tioga County, is expanding its operations in Berkshire, New York. The project is expected to create at least six new, full-time jobs while retaining more than 40 existing positions.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “Simply put, the locally developed strategies in the Southern Tier Soaring plan are working. The region and State are committed to advancing the plan, and it’s resulting in companies like Tioga Hardwoods choosing to grow and create jobs at home in the Southern Tier, and across Upstate New York.”
Founded seventeen years ago, the company specializes in quality hardwood species available in New York State such as hard and soft maple, cherry, white ash, red & white oak, basswood, hickory, aspen and yellow poplar. Tioga Hardwoods produces random width/length lumber as well as dimensional lumber which is cut to certain pre-defined sizes. This type of lumber is planed, ripped and chopped to make it immediately ready for uses such as kitchen cabinets and hardwood flooring.
Tioga Hardwoods Incorporated Owner & Vice President Scott Snyder said, “Our grant through Empire State Development has allowed us to expand our manufacturing facilities. The end result is the creation of several new jobs in a rural area of New York State that is in need of a much needed economic boost.”
The expansion project includes the addition of new machinery and equipment at the site; and the company is also upgrading current lines to handle the increased production that will result from the expansion.
In order to encourage Tioga Hardwoods Inc. to proceed with this project, Empire State Development has offered performance-based incentives that are tied to job creation commitments, including a grant of up to $150,000 and $150,000 in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits. The total project cost is more than $1.6 million.
State Senator Fred Akshar said, "Tioga Hardwoods was one of my first business tours in the 52nd Senate District. Scott Snyder and his team have done a remarkable job and we're so proud to see them succeed and thrive in Tioga County."
Tioga County Legislature Chair Martha Sauerbrey said, "Tioga Hardwoods is growing and with the help with New York State they will be able to implement new efficiencies and improve production. I’m extremely pleased that with their growth they will bring jobs and opportunity to Tioga County."
For more information about Tioga Hardwoods Incorporated, click here.
Accelerating Southern Tier Soaring
Today's announcement complements “Southern Tier Soaring the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $3.1 billion in the region since 2012 to lay for groundwork for the plan – attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving innovation. 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. Now, the region is accelerating Southern Tier Soaring 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 10,200 new jobs. More information is available here.
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