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Gillibrand announces $200K USDA grant for secondary road at ag park

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a federal grant worth $199,821 for a secondary access road at the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park.

The funding is allocated through the USDA’s Rural Business Enterprise Grant program, and is being awarded after Senator Gillibrand toured the nearly finished Alpina Yogurt facility and called for more federal investments in infrastructure at the ag-park in Batavia.

“This is an important investment that can help attract more businesses to the Genesee Valley ag-park, and support more jobs right here,”Senator Gillibrand said.

“I know the potential the ag-park has to help local businesses grow and be a major economic driver for the region. Investing in transportation infrastructure is one of the fastest, most effective ways to create new jobs now, and lay the foundation for more jobs to come.”

In September 2011, Senator Gillibrand helped secure an additional $58,000 from USDA Rural Development for initial infrastructure upgrades at the agri-business park, including expanding existing roads and utilities.

Senator Gillibrand also brought a USDA official to Batavia in April 2012 to tour the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park and hear firsthand from local leaders about the need for federal investments to grow this critical industry for the region.

In addition to the USDA, Senator Gillibrand has been active in pushing for federal funds through the U.S. Economic Development Administration to complete infrastructure improvements at the ag-park.

The federal grant funding will be used to design, engineer and construct a secondary access road at the ag-park, a key component of a range of planned infrastructure improvements, including the construction on an aquifer that is required by food processors.

Muller Quaker Dairy, an international yogurt producer, and Alpina Foods would greatly benefit from the completion of the aquifer and would contribute to an increased investment in Genesee County.

Upon the completion of the infrastructural improvements to the Ag-Park, Muller Quaker Dairy would be able to complete a $206 million yogurt manufacturing facility that they expect could generate approximately 186 jobs in the near-term, with the ability to create up to 600 jobs in the long-term. Alpina also expects to be able to create approximately 50 new jobs as a result of finishing the construction.

Lisa Falkowski

I realize that some folks find my comments negative, but....
COME ON NOW, REALLY? ANOTHER BREAK FOR A PLANT THAT HAS YET TO PROVE ITSELF IN THIS COUNTY?
I work hard for my money and have been here 48 years. Where is my break? I fall into a low tax bracket, I could use the break! (not that I have a problem paying my fair share...I don't at all)

Aug 20, 2012, 2:36pm Permalink
Mark Potwora

Lisa i agree with you 100%...Muller Quaker Dairy is in this with Pepsi co..Billion dollar corp.and we foot the bill on the promise of maybe we will create 600 jobs....Let them pay for the roads to their yogurt plants....How come when a builder builds a new housing development he is responsible for the roads and all infrastructure...

Aug 20, 2012, 3:47pm Permalink
Lisa Falkowski

Mark - Thanks for the support. It's ok for those who don't agree.
John - I do realize that, but for me it doesn't make it right (and I'm not indicating that you believe it is...or isn't).

Aug 20, 2012, 9:16pm Permalink
Mark Potwora

no problem Lisa....I also wonder who has to plow and salt those roads in the winter....Who also has to maintain these new roads......Is it the county taxpayer...

Aug 20, 2012, 10:32pm Permalink
matt burns

THE TAX PAYERS OF BATAVIA WILL MAINTAIN THE ROADS. MABY ITS TIME TO GET IN ANOTHER COUNTY. YOGURT WILL NOT HELP US TAXPAYERS, AT ALL. 2 YEARS, THE LAYOFFS WILL FOLLOW. ITS BATAVIA

Aug 21, 2012, 1:46am Permalink

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