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

The Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council (MHREDC) today announced it recently submitted its 2019 Progress Report to New York State to meet the October 1 deadline. The progress report details the council’s achievements in implementing its strategic plan and reflects the Mid-Hudson's progress on efforts to ensure sustainable and long-term growth in the seven-county region and to leverage the region’s advantages in key industry sectors, including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, food and beverage manufacturing, and tourism.
 
In furtherance of these goals, strategies and initiatives, the report recommends 21 priority projects to advance the region’s growth objectives. These projects represent at least $20 million in requested state funding, leveraging $293 million in private and other funding for total project expenses of more than $313 million. Detailed information about the MHREDC’s 2019 endorsed priority projects is available in the progress report here.
 
“The MHREDC is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for economic growth and job creation that benefit communities throughout the Mid-Hudson region, and the state’s regional approach to economic development allows us to allocate funding in close partnership with local municipalities,” said Donald Christian, co-chair of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council and president of SUNY New Paltz. “We are proud to introduce the latest MHREDC priority projects and look forward to seeing them revitalize downtowns, expand businesses and provide stable employment in the coming years.”
 
Round IX of the REDC initiative will award up to $750 million in state funding and tax incentives, including up to $150 million in capital grants and up to $75 million in Excelsior Tax Credits for projects and activities identified by the Councils as regional priorities in their communities. Additionally, up to $525 million from state agency programs will be awarded through the CFA process. Funding awards will be announced by the end of the year.
 
The REDC process has transformed New York State government’s approach to economic development, creating a statewide framework for bottom-up, regional economic growth and streamlining the state funding application process. Since 2011, the first year of the initiative, more than $6.1 billion has been awarded to over 7,300 job creation and community development projects consistent with each region’s strategic plans, projecting to create and retain more than 230,000 jobs.
 
2019 REDC Competition
In 2019, all 10 REDCs will be competing for a designation as a Top Performer. Five Top Performers will be selected and will receive a share of $100 million in Empire State Development Capital Grant funding, with the remaining five regions receiving a share of $50 million in Empire State Development Capital Grant funding. Each region will also be eligible for up to $75 million in Excelsior Tax Credits.  Each region will also receive $10 million to implement projects identified through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, and projects from all 10 regions submitted through the CFA will be eligible for over $525 million in other state agency funds.
 
About the Consolidated Funding Application
As part of Governor Cuomo’s efforts to improve the state’s economic development model, a NYS Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) was created to streamline and expedite the grant application process. The CFA process marks a fundamental shift in the way state resources are allocated, ensuring less bureaucracy and greater efficiency to fulfill local economic development needs. The CFA serves as the single-entry point for access to economic development funding, ensuring applicants no longer have to slowly navigate multiple agencies and sources without any mechanism for coordination. Now, economic development projects use the CFA as a support mechanism to access multiple state funding sources through one application, making the process quicker, easier, and more productive. To access the CFA, please visit https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa/.
 
About the Regional Economic Development Councils
The Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative is a key component of Governor Cuomo’s approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, Governor Cuomo established 10 Regional Councils to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources. For more information on the Regional Councils, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov.

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

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that Atlas Air Worldwide, a leading global provider of innovative, outsourced aviation services, will expand its facility and create 100 new, high-paying jobs at its global headquarters in Purchase, Westchester County, New York. The company will invest $37.5 million over the next five years for a renewal and extension of its corporate headquarters lease, buildout, and equipment. The company will retain the 568 jobs currently housed at the facility. 

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, “Companies are choosing to stay and foster growth in New York thanks to the state’s skilled workforce, favorable economic environment and robust business assistance programs, and Atlas Air’s expansion will bring 100 new jobs to the Mid-Hudson region while maintaining a thriving headquarters in Purchase.”

To encourage Atlas Air Worldwide to expand and create jobs in Westchester, Empire State Development would provide up to $5 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits, which are directly tied to job creation. The jobs created will be in flight operations, as well as roles in finance, safety, ground operations, procurement, systems operations, human resources, and security.

“New York is our home and we are excited to strengthen our ties and expand our company in this dynamic, thriving state,” said William J. Flynn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Air Worldwide. “We will continue to grow our team of talented, world-class, customer-focused employees in New York and throughout our global network.”

Atlas Air Worldwide is a cargo airline, passenger charter airline, and aircraft lessor. The company maintains a fleet of 747s, 777s, 767s, and 737s and operates a 24-hour global control center. The company is headquartered in Purchase and maintains operations centers near the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, in Anchorage, Alaska, and Hong Kong; a training center in Miami, Florida; and key logistics centers around the world, including John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, to support its global network.

State Senator Shelley B. Mayer said, "I am pleased that a major employer in our community, Atlas Air Worldwide, has been selected for tax credits through the Excelsior Jobs Program in order to retain current jobs, and add future positions. When the Legislature authorizes and funds these programs, we expect that they will result in job growth in good paying jobs in our communities. Through the investment announced today, that goal will be furthered." 

“It is gratifying to see Atlas reinvesting in their headquarters in Purchase and preserving over 500 jobs there,” said State Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-White Plains). “Like a number of Westchester employers, Atlas plays a major role in the global economy, helping to secure our region’s economic future.”

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.

About Atlas Air Worldwide

Atlas Air Worldwide is a leading global provider of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services. It is the parent company of Atlas Air, Inc., Southern Air Holdings, Inc. and Titan Aviation Holdings, Inc., and is the majority shareholder of Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. Our companies operate the world’s largest fleet of 747 freighter aircraft and provide customers the broadest array of Boeing 747, 777, 767, 757 and 737 aircraft for domestic, regional and international cargo and passenger operations.

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

It’s been a summer of love for the Mid-Hudson region, with natural beauty that’s a year-round highlight for residents and tourists who visit the area’s many parks, historic and cultural sites. The area’s ideal location—with proximity to New York City and major Northeast destinations—also makes it a draw for businesses. During the past three months, the Mid-Hudson region has added new attractions, hosted milestone concerts and broken ground on a leading food manufacturer’s hub—while continuing to serve as a headquarters for several Fortune 500 companies and a home to pioneering research and innovation.

Amy’s Kitchen, a leading organic food manufacturer, broke ground June 21 on a new 389,000-square-foot facility in Orange County that will be the company’s East Coast hub, creating 680 new jobs. The specialty frozen food manufacturing facility in Goshen will be one of the largest manufacturing plants built in New York State in decades. Amy’s Kitchen, a family-owned and privately held company founded in 1987, makes more than 250 organic products and invests in local organic farms to produce them. State support for the facility includes up to $6.8 million in performance-based incentives—tied to job creation and investment commitments—as well as a low-cost power allocation from the New York Power Authority.   

 The day before the Amy’s groundbreaking, a new $3 million Dutchess Welcome Center opened at the eastern approach of the Walkway Over the Hudson State Park. The 1,800-square-foot Poughkeepsie Center opened as the 1.28-mile Walkway, once an unused railroad bridge, marks its 10th anniversary.  Next steps for the Welcome Center, which features tourism information and showcases local products, include a new pavilion.