
New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced economic development awards to 20 firms that will spur more than $940 million in capital investments and support 1,774 jobs, including statewide ReCharge NY power allocations, a Western New York hydropower allocation to Wells Enterprises in Chautauqua County, and funding awards to firms in Western New York and the North Country.
“Economic development awards from the New York Power Authority (NYPA) have helped revitalize communities throughout the state by attracting businesses to New York and incentivizing job growth,” Governor Hochul said. “The latest round of awards approved today by the NYPA trustees will spur more than $940 million in investments, strengthening our state’s clean energy economy.”
ReCharge NY
The approved allocations of nearly 7.2 megawatts (MW) of low-cost power under the ReCharge NY program will be directed to 17 companies in the Finger Lakes, Central New York, Mohawk Valley, Hudson Valley, Southern Tier, New York City, and on Long Island.
Included among the awards are hydropower allocations to BLI International on Long Island, IBM in the Hudson Valley, and Currier Plastics in Central New York.
ReCharge NY offers power contracts with terms of up to seven years. Half of the power 455 MW is from NYPA’s Niagara and St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt hydroelectric power plants. The remaining 455 MW is lower-cost power bought by NYPA on the wholesale market.
A full list of the ReCharge NY power allocations and economic development awards is available here.
Western New York
The NYPA Board of Trustees also approved a low-cost Niagara hydropower allocation to Wells Enterprises’ Dunkirk facility in Chautauqua County.
Wells is the largest family-owned ice cream manufacturer in the nation and is known for its Bomb Pops and Blue Ribbon Classics brands. Wells was awarded 1,052 kilowatts (kW) to support the construction of a new 350,000-square-foot facility at its Dunkirk site to expand its ice cream and frozen dessert manufacturing capabilities. Wells will expend $425 million to build the facility, establish an on-site chocolate manufacturing plant, create a new office building and receiving bays, and purchase raw materials for its production lines. The expansion will create 270 jobs.
“Wells Enterprises’ decision to expand its Dunkirk facility is reflective of New York State’s business-friendly environment and talented workforce,” New York Power Authority Chairman and Western New York resident John R. Koelmel said. “This low-cost hydropower allocation from the Niagara Power Project will support Wells as it endeavors to quadruple its regional product output, benefiting the Northeast’s dairy industry. NYPA hydropower awards are vital to Western New York’s economy, and this award will create 270 jobs for residents and spur a $425 million investment in Chautauqua County.”
Wells is a current NYPA customer receiving 4,100 kW of hydropower allocations with associated commitments of nearly 550 jobs and more than $54 million in private capital investments. Low-cost Niagara hydropower is available for eligible companies located within a 30-mile radius of the Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project and in Chautauqua County.
The NYPA board also approved a $875,000 power proceeds funding award to Seibel Modern, a New York-based and family-owned steel fabrication and welding shop.
Seibel Modern is consolidating its operations into a larger, state-of-the-art facility that will improve operational efficiency and productivity to meet the growing demand for its services. The new more than $14 million facility will be constructed in Lancaster in Erie County and equipped with modern machinery and technology. As part of its expansion, Seibel Modern will create 11 full-time positions.
NYPA Western New York funding awards are made possible through net earnings resulting from the sale of unused hydropower generated at the Power Authority’s Niagara Power Project and stem from power proceeds legislation signed into law in 2012.