Skip to main content

GCEDC announces approval on four projects with a promise of 22 new jobs

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) approved four projects at its June board meeting. They total approximately $2 million in investments as well as the retention of 91 jobs and the creation of 22 new jobs.

“All of the projects being considered by the board are investments in infrastructure which means the companies seeking benefits intend to be here for the long term,” said Steve Hyde, GCEDC president and CEO. “Companies typically do not invest in facilities and infrastructure without long-term plans so it is great to see this commitment to our region.”

Mega Properties, Inc., (Koolatron) is a Canadian company that manufactures, markets and distributes various portable thermoelectric cooler parts and components. The company is proposing to invest $775,000 in its operations that would retain 11 jobs and create six new jobs. Because the company is seeking more than $100,000 in incentives – in this case $190,000 – a public hearing must be scheduled.

Imagination Industries is seeking to build a 7,015-square-foot facility at 8240 Buffalo Road in the Town of Bergen. The multiuse facility will house an indoor firing range, training center, gunsmith services and a laser engraving business. The company plans to invest nearly $400,000 that would create 10 new jobs.  The project is allowable under state retail restrictions as the purpose is to make available services which would not be, but for the project, “reasonably accessible” to residents of the municipality where the project is located.  

The company is seeking a sales tax exemption of $19,970, a mortgage tax exemption of $3,750 and a property tax abatement of $63,195. The Board found that the project meets the goods and services retail clause in order to approve the application.

Reinhart Enterprises operates a 25,720-square-foot multi-commercial tenant facility on Liberty Street in Batavia. Due to flooding this past year, 4500 square feet of space was vacated. The company is looking to improve its facility and is planning a $206,000 capital investment for drainage and parking lot improvements to enhance the property for current and prospective office and corporate tenants. The company is seeking a sales tax exemption of $9,888. The investment would create three new jobs and retain 80.

Jackson Square LLC, the former Cars Warehouse which was built around 1880 in the area of the city known as Jackson Square, is proposing to convert the former structure into a mixed-use commercial and residential site. The ground floor will have flex office/light industrial and four new market rate apartments on the second and third floors. 

The City of Batavia is the current owner of building and will transfer the title to the Batavia Development Corporation for sale to Jackson Square LLC. The company is seeking a sales tax exemption of $24,816 and a mortgage tax exemption of $2,994 contingent upon Jackson Square LLC purchasing the building.

Bob Harker

$91,000 per new job.

I hate it when the news media uses the word "alleged" seven times in an a paragraph to cover themselves against lawsuits.

But certainly that word applies here. Giving our money away to ALLEGEDLY create a few jobs. Obviously "retained" jobs cannot be verified.

Mr. Hyde, I ask you directly. How many jobs were created or "retained" by your gift to hotel owners near the thruway so that they could save even more money by installing energy efficient windows?

Show me your "facts" that counter my research that PROVES ABSOLUTELY ZERO jobs created. I've asked the owners. Yet these owners reap numerous benefits through corporate welfare.

Mr. Hyde, i ask you to debate me on this public forum regarding the contributions your organization provides to the hard working, tax paying majority of Genesee county residents.

Mr, Hyde, please allow me to use a term your are apparently not familiar with: Full Disclosure. We live in Orleans county and my wife both work and shop in Batavia. We have have for many years.

Your reply is anticipated and appreciated.

Jun 7, 2013, 3:11pm Permalink
Doug Barnard

“The hogs are really starting to line up at the public trough to feed.”

Really????

That’s a pretty coarse statement.

I would bet that most of these companies contribute significantly more in property / payroll tax than most individuals on this site.

Jun 7, 2013, 6:32pm Permalink
Frank Bartholomew

Then why on earth do they need taxpayer dollars ???
I would absolutely love to see GCEDC get audited for
an ISO.certification
. It would be a huge fail, as a key component of the cert.
is: "Say what you can do, do what you say you can do".

Jun 7, 2013, 7:47pm Permalink
Mark Potwora

The company is looking to improve its facility and is planning a $206,000 capital investment for drainage and parking lot improvements to enhance the property for current and prospective office and corporate tenants. The company is seeking a sales tax exemption of $9,888. ........We now give out tax breaks for parking lots...You are right TP the hogs are lining up ....oink..oink..

Jun 8, 2013, 11:22am Permalink
Ed Hartgrove

Yeah, I was just wondering how these 'sales-tax' breaks work. If I have a car that really isn't 'road-worthy', and needs a lot of work done on it to make it safe, d'ya suppose the gov't would forgive the sales tax, if I bought a new car? I mean, it IS for the safety of the community at large. And, it'd only be a couple thosand $$ at most.

Jun 8, 2013, 2:27pm Permalink

Authentically Local