Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation awarded nearly $2 million in economic development grants to local firms during 2018 to benefit the local economy and create and retain high-quality jobs. Since 2004, Central Hudson has partnered with more than 50 organizations by providing more than $13.7 million in grants in support of development projects in the Mid-Hudson Valley.
“Our Economic Development programs and grants help boost our economy and attract employers to our region,” said Vice President of Customer Services and Regulatory Affairs Anthony Campagiorni. “As an anchor institution, Central Hudson partners with regional county economic development organizations to provide programs that strengthen our local business environment.”
Grants provided by Central Hudson are offered to organizations that create new jobs; locate or relocate to shovel-ready sites; invest in processes to retain existing jobs and enhance the workforce; revitalize older facilities; and/or invest in wired innovation centers.
During the past year, Central Hudson has awarded grants to organizations across the region to support job creation with a focus on manufacturing and food and beverage industries:
Manufacturing
MPI Incorporated, a local manufacturer of wax and ceramic casting equipment based in the City of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, has been awarded a $200,000 Business Retention grant for their planned $5 million investment, which will include a new 14,000 square foot manufacturing building. MPI currently employs 87 including engineers, designers, assembly technicians, sales and administrative support, and expects to add 47 employees to its staff over the next five years. MPI had considered relocating the business out of state, however will remain in the City of Poughkeepsie due in part to the assistance provided by Central Hudson.
Ceres Technology is consolidating two businesses, a sheet metal fabrication company and high-tech manufacturing company, into two buildings at Tech City, the former IBM facility in the Town of Ulster in Ulster County. The company will invest more than $2 million in capital improvements including the installation of a new cleanroom, upgrading an existing cleanroom and electric and HVAC renovations. Ceres will be eligible for a $100,000 Building Revitalization grant and a Job Creation-Expansion grant of up to $25,000. The company currently employees more than 200 and expects to add 25 jobs.
KORA Components, manufacturing pre-fabricated trusses, has been awarded a $100,000 Building Revitalization grant in support of their planned $1.6 million investment to refurbish a vacant 53,000 square foot manufacturing building in Ellenville. Once operational, the company plans to create 50 jobs at the facility.
Food and beverage production:
Crepini LLC is relocating its food manufacturing business from Brooklyn to iPark in East Fishkill, Dutchess County, and has been awarded $126,000 in Job Creation and Building Revitalization grants. Crepini is the only company dedicated to the production of unfilled and pre-filled crepes in North America, and due to rising demand has outgrown its current location. The company will invest $7 million in the rehabilitation of a building at the former IBM East Fishkill site, now known as iPark, to allow an increase in its production capacity. Crepini plans to employ more than 140 employees by 2020. In planning for its expansion, the company had considered other locations and decided to relocate to Dutchess County due in part to Central Hudson’s grant.
Café Spice, a local food manufacturer supplying and distributing prepared meals to grocery retailers, college campuses and hospitals across the country, has been awarded a $200,000 Business Retention grant. The company will invest more than $9 million in an expansion of its New Windsor facility. Café Spice has outgrown its existing space and is seeking additional capacity to meet growing demand for their products by constructing a new 40,000 square foot building to supplement its current 50,000 square foot facility. The new building will be used for warehousing and allow for the expansion of the prep, kitchen and packaging areas, allowing the company to increase its production capacity. Café Spice currently employs more than 130 and plans to add an additional 150 positions during the next five years. The company had considered in and out-of-state locations and decided to remain in Orange County due in part to Central Hudson’s grant.
Catsmo Artisan Smokehouse has been awarded a $200,000 Business Retention grant toward an expansion of their product storage and processing capabilities. Their planned $3 million capital investment will include new machinery and a 10,000-square-foot building on its current Wallkill site, with plans to add 15 new employees. Catsmo had considered relocating out of state, however decided to remain in Ulster County due in part to the assistance provided by Central Hudson.
“For decades, our economic development programs have contributed to the creation and retention of hundreds of jobs, and helped to attract new businesses and industries throughout our region,” said Campagiorni. He cited other recent projects supported by Central Hudson, including the Main Street Revitalization grants awarded to projects in the cities of Poughkeepsie, Kingston and Newburgh and Village of Wappinger for initiatives to help revive urban centers; and partnerships with educational institutions including SUNY New Paltz, Marist College, SUNY Orange and SUNY Ulster.
“Central Hudson’s Economic Development grants are available to help companies grow and thrive, and we actively pursue projects that create new jobs and capital investment,” said Campagiorni. “We hope the success of these organizations will attract other companies to the region by showcasing the many benefits of doing business in the Mid-Hudson Valley.”
For more information, visit www.CentralHudson.com/EconomicDevelopment.
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