Congers Facility to Create 21 New Jobs
130-year-old New York Company Supported by Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that Star Kay White, a flavor base and extract manufacturing company that has been in business in New York since 1890, has completed a new facility and renovations in Congers, Rockland County. The company will create 21 new jobs in the new facility while retaining 118 existing jobs. This project was supported by the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (MHREDC). Today is the company’s 130th anniversary.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, “Star Kay White has had a ‘star’-ring role as a business leader and local economic engine throughout its incredible 130-year history in New York State, and we’re proud to be a part of the company’s latest expansion as it continues to add to the Mid-Hudson’s economy and provide advanced manufacturing work for New Yorkers.”

To encourage the company to expand in New York, ESD offered up to $350,000 in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits. Star Kay White also received $2.25 million from the MHREDC for this project in 2016. The project upgraded the company’s infrastructure, technology and equipment, making its manufacturing processes more efficient and better able to meet customer needs.

Star Kay White President Benjamin Katzenstein said, “Star Kay White is proud to be a fifth-generation family owned company that has always been in New York. Originally in lower Manhattan, from 1890 to 1928, then in the Bronx from 1929 to 1984, Star Kay White made a new home in Congers in 1984. We’ve grown tenfold since then. We love the community and we love what we do: “Making the Stuff That Makes Ice Cream Taste Great Since 1890.”

Star Kay White was founded in Manhattan and later operated a factory in the Bronx before moving to Congers in 1984. The company’s footprint in Congers has since expanded several times. The company has been run by the same family, the Katzensteins, since it was founded. Today, the fifth generation of Katzensteins works at Star Kay White.

“Star Kay White has been loyal to New York State for more than a century, and we are happy to see the company continue to innovate, expand and hire more people,” said Donald Christian, co-chair of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council and president of SUNY New Paltz. “The MHREDC supports homegrown companies that hire New Yorkers, generate economic growth and give back to their communities. Star Kay White’s latest expansion certainly fits the bill and will contribute to the Mid-Hudson region’s continued economic success.”

Senator David Carlucci said, “We need to attract companies to the Hudson Valley who create good paying jobs, if we want to help rebuild the middle class. I am proud to support the State’s efforts to invest in Rockland’s Star Kay White manufacturing company. The company will benefit our local economy and attract new economic development.”

Assemblyman Kenneth P. Zebrowski said, “Star Kay White has been in New York State for over a century now and has called Rockland home for almost 40 years. This new facility results in the creation of over 20 new jobs and will continue to strengthen our regional and local economic growth. The State’s support of family run businesses like Star Kay White is a testament to generations of success and I am thankful for their investment and continued growth in our community."

Rockland County Executive Ed Day said, “Star Kay White has been a fixture of Rockland County for over 30 years, and I am thrilled to see them continue to invest in our community. Fostering expansion and job creation is the proper role of government and I am thankful for the team effort that led to this much needed infrastructure upgrade that will lead their company into the future.”

Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann said, "Clarkstown is honored to have Star Kay White, a longtime family owned, worldwide producer of ice cream flavors and other confections located right here in Congers. Star Kay White is a true example of the American Dream with the Katzenstein's having immigrated from Germany, starting a business, and continuing to operate within the family for 5 generations. They are an important part of the economic engine that drives our Town.  We wish Star Kay White many more years of success in the Town of Clarkstown."  

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). 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, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.

Contact:
Adam Kilduff | [email protected] | (212) 803-3744
ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313

Company to Create 118 New Jobs in East Fishkill Facility

Facility Located on Former IBM Campus iPark

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the completion of Crepini’s new crepe manufacturing facility in East Fishkill, Dutchess County. The company, which makes several crepe varieties with different ingredients, will create 118 new jobs and retain 30 jobs. The new 50,000 square foot facility will increase the company’s capacity from 40 million crepes per year to 250 million crepes per year. Crepini is a New York State-certified Women-owned business (WBE). Its new facility is located in iPark, the former IBM campus in East Fishkill.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, “Crepini joins the many manufacturers choosing to stay and expand their operations in New York State, with a new facility that will increase the company’s output, create more than 100 new jobs and contribute to the Mid-Hudson region’s economic growth.”

To encourage Crepini to stay and expand in New York State, Empire State Development offered up to $2.5 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits, which are directly tied to job creation. The company is investing over $7.7 million in the new facility. The project included fit-up costs and the purchase of machinery and equipment to increase the company’s ability to make more product.

Crepini CEO and Co-founder Paula Rimer said, “Crepini was founded in 2007 and is a family owned business. Our products, which are sold nationwide, are dairy-free and gluten-free and are first of its kind ‘zero net carbs - 8 calorie healthy egg and veggie based wraps’. Our success is a collaborative process of innovation, perseverance, risk taking, and being enthusiastic dreamers and very hard workers. On behalf of the entire Crepini family we all greatly appreciate NYS Empire State Development for helping Crepini in keeping NYS jobs and creating over 100 hundred new jobs as we grow up as a business in Dutchess County NY.”

Crepini was founded in 2007 and is family-run. The company has won four Silver SOFI Awards. Its products, which are sold in over 4,000 stores throughout the United States, are dairy-free and gluten-free.

About Empire State Development
Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). 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, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.

Contact:
Adam Kilduff | [email protected] | (212) 803-3744
ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313