Albany, NY – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the approval of $300,000 for the Adirondack Meat Company’s new, 7,500 square-foot USDA-certified food processing facility in Ticonderoga, Essex County. The facility, which is up and running with a dozen new jobs already created, will help meet the growing need of area livestock farmers and producers and generate a total of 17 jobs in Essex County. The company is also slated to open a retail store on Wicker Street in Ticonderoga on May 1 of this year.
“Targeted investments in local job-creating industries is helping bring economic growth to communities in Essex County and across the State,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said. “The Regional Council process has recognized that no one knows a community better than its own residents and business leaders, and by crafting a regionally tailored, job-growth strategy the North Country REDC is helping leverage smart investments like this one to grow the local economy.”
Through the second round of the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative, the project was awarded a total of $465,000 and identified as a regional priority by the North Country Regional Economic Development Council, with funding approved last week by Empire State Development's Board of Directors.
The Adirondack Meat Company's new meat processing facility is designed to process and return packaged products to livestock suppliers. The operation, which is the first USDA-certified processing facility in the Adirondack Park, significantly reduces the distance traveled for livestock farmers and helps reduce the lengthy wait time that currently exists. The upgrades allow the Adirondack Meat Company to provide faster turnaround as well as the needed capacity to limit processing transportation costs and delays, resulting in increased profitability and sustainability for area farmers.
Adirondack Meat Company Owner Peter Ward said, "We look forward to working with local beef, pork, sheep and goat producers throughout the North Country and Champlain Valley region of New York State. Working with local producers on the growing need for fresh, all-natural animals will be very productive for our region. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Governor Cuomo and his staff for making opportunities like this available to small businesses in New York State. Opportunities like this give small businesses a chance to succeed. Special thanks go to Essex County IDA for all the time and effort they put into this project as well as our partners at Empire State Development, the North Country Regional Economic Development Council, NYS Ag& Markets, USDA RD, North Country Alliance, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Town of Ticonderoga, the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce and the Essex County Board of Supervisors."
Based on survey responses from area livestock growers, the facility is anticipated to double the production of livestock in the region and eliminate an existing barrier to value-added productions. The company plans to open a retail shop for the sale of processed and packaged meat, and branding a finished product with the Adirondack label will further promote the region.
After three rounds of the REDC process, more than $2 billion has been awarded to job creation and community development projects consistent with each region’s strategic plans, resulting in creation or retention of more than 100,000 jobs statewide. As part of that process, the Adirondack Meat Company was awarded $300,000 from Empire State Development and $165,000 from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, through the Essex County IDA. In addition, the USDA is guaranteeing a loan for the Adirondack Meat Company.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams said, “The Adirondack Meat Company’s success is the result of true collaboration among many partners on the federal, state and local level and ESD applauds the North Country Regional Economic Development Council for investing in their growth. We congratulate Adirondack Meat Company and look forward to its next achievement—the opening of a retail store in Ticonderoga this May.”
The new facility was endorsed as a priority project in 2012 by the North Country Regional Economic Development Council as it aligns with the Council’s Strategic Plan by fostering the growth of the small, entrepreneurial businesses, supporting the region’s agriculture industry and promoting the sale of value-added, local products.
Congressman Bill Owens said, “Agricultural growth continues to bring much-needed jobs and economic activity to the North Country. Adding this USDA-certified facility gives a boost to our local livestock farmers and encourages the long-term sustainable growth of the industry in this region.”
Senator Betty Little said, “I am very pleased to see the progress being made by Adirondack Meat Company knowing how important this food processing facility is to farmers in the North Country and how beneficial it will be for our local economy. This is a great private and public collaboration, jobs are already being created with more on the way. I appreciate the support of Governor Cuomo and Empire State Development and their confidence in our North Country Economic Development Council’s vision for a more diverse and stronger economy.”
Assemblyman Dan Stec said, “Once again, we celebrate a big win for the North Country by expanding economic development opportunities and strengthening our agricultural businesses. Congratulations to the Adirondack Meat Company for their vision and creation of this much needed facility.”
Anthony G. Collins, President of Clarkson University and co-chair of the NCREDC said, “Reflecting the diversity of the North Country economy, the Regional Economic Development Council’s Agriculture Work Group represents 4,268 farms in the last agricultural census and nearly $600 million of sales from 1.16 million acres dedicated to farming across the seven counties. The introduction of Adirondack Meat Company as a USDA-approved processing facility adds to our region’s agricultural assets and advances the sustainability principle to buy local that so many people in our region have shared with us as important to them through our public participation sessions.”
Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce and Co-Chair of the NCREDC said, "This is another milestone in the implementation of the Regional Plan and its commitment to job creation and key opportunities such as value added agriculture. Our thanks to Governor Cuomo for his continued support and our congratulations to the business on its very successful launch. Onward and upward!"
Chairman of the Essex County Board of Supervisors Randy Douglas said, “Adirondack Meat Company has hit the ground running as the first USDA certified meat processing facility in the Adirondack Park. In just a few months’ time, the company has ramped up operations, serving the needs of area farmers, and is on target to hire more than a dozen employees in Ticonderoga. We thank the many partners, including the North Country Regional Council and Governor Cuomo, who helped make this project a reality.”
Ticonderoga Town Supervisor Bill Grinnell said, "The Adirondack Meat Company is a vital part of our community and our local economy and we are very happy to hear that it is expanding and creating additional good paying jobs for our residents. I applaud the Governor and the state for working on this funding and investing in this facility that has made this expansion a reality."
Source: Office of NY Governor Andrew M. Cuomo