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Empire State Development Announces Opening of New Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Niagara Falls

Sandstone Springs’ Innovation Hub Will Create 55 Jobs at Former Brownfield Site

See photos of Sandstone Springs new facility here

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the opening of the Sandstone Springs, LLC production facility in Niagara Falls at the former Union Carbide brownfield site. Approximately 55 new jobs will be created at the 90,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing campus, which includes R&D and organic chemistry labs and product manufacturing lines—as well as bottling, packaging and packing production lines for vegan foods. The newly renovated Sandstone Springs facility also has the capabilities to incubate new products and processes from concept to high-volume manufacturing.

“The new Sandstone Springs production facility, creating innovative products for companies nationwide, is further proof that Western New York’s manufacturing resurgence is real,” said Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler.  “The project has transformed a former brownfield site and will strengthen the local economy by generating new jobs, building the tax base and revitalizing a once-distressed neighborhood.”

“Manufacturing jobs continue to grow in Western New York thanks to our strategic investments and incredible local workforce,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “The opening of Sandstone Springs is a significant milestone for the City of Niagara Falls and is part of our ongoing efforts to transform brownfield areas into productive sites that allow businesses to expand and prosper.” ​

“The job creation and innovation taking place at Sandstone Springs is not only indicative of the need for a cleaner, greener manufacturing industry, but serves as evidence that our region is at the forefront of these cutting-edge developments because of leaders like Governor Cuomo and our partners at Empire State Development,” said Mayor Paul Dyster.  “The investments made here will surely have an impact on our region for many years to come, and we are proud to play host to this leader in the industry.”

The facility is located at the recently rehabilitated Union Carbide factory and office buildings, located at 3625 Highland Ave. The City of Niagara Falls purchased the distressed property and completed a $1.5 million restoration of the two buildings at the site including new utilities, air and water purification systems, clean rooms and landscaping.  The project is part of the Highland Avenue Brownfield Opportunity Area. 

To complete the renovation of the vacant property, ESD offered up to $500,000 to the City of Niagara Falls through the Round 5 of the Regional Council Consolidated Funding Application to help generate job growth, build the tax base and revitalize the area. The project was also supported with a $300,000 National Grid brownfield redevelopment grant and a $200,000 Environmental Protection Agency grant.

“The Sandstone Springs project is an example of how a former brownfield site can be cleaned, remediated and transformed into a prosperous location to attract new investment and employment opportunities,” said National Grid Regional Director Ken Kujawa. “Working closely with the City of Niagara Falls and through our suite of economic development grants, we identified our brownfield redevelopment program as a way to fund utility-related infrastructure improvements and other costs necessary to advance the project.” 

Sandstone Springs has invested approximately $5 million to build out the manufacturing facility and accommodate the integration of its regional assets. Sandstone Springs will produce health and wellness- based products that will be both kosher and halal certified. When production is brought fully online Sandstone Springs will manufacture millions of vegan gummy candies per day and approximately 21,000 bottles of various tinctures, utilizing the most high- tech machinery available to the industry.

Sandstone Springs CEO John Bordynuik said, “Sandstone Springs is very proud to be a part of the City of Niagara Falls business community. I want to thank Empire State Development, Governor Cuomo and all our State and local leaders for providing an opportunity to create jobs and contribute to the success and future growth of the City’s economy.”

Western New York Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair and Buffalo State College President Dr. Katherine Conway-Turner said, “Sandstone Springs will play an important role in Niagara Falls economic development plan by redeveloping a brownfield site, providing employment opportunities and revitalizing a distressed neighborhood.”

Assemblyman Angelo Morinello said, “Once again I am pleased to see new investment in our area’s advanced manufacturing sector and I congratulate Empire State Development for continuing to work diligently to create and maintain jobs in Niagara Falls.  More investment in our community and the creation of good paying jobs has been and will remain one of my top priorities.” 

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 Governor Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NEW YORK,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, please visit and www.esd.ny.gov.

Contacts:

Pamm Lent (Governor’s office) | [email protected] | 716-846-8309

Laura Magee (ESD) | [email protected] | 716-846-8239