ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES
I-86 Innovation Corridor:
The strategic action plan for the 1-86 Innovation Corridor was designed to accelerate public/private investments, create job opportunities, advance regional competitiveness and create the environment to draw and keep young, skilled workforce participants inour community. The 1-86 Innovation Corridor is located between 1-99 in Steuben County and I-86 at the Elmira interchange.
I-86 Projects:
Wayfair, a national home furnishing e-commerce customer service business has selected the former Coming Shared Services Building on Daniel Zenker Drive in Big Flats as the site for a future in-bound call center. The company has indicated they will create 450 jobs over the next three years. The project is pending final New York State Tax and Finance approval and it is anticipated that a lease will be executed in early 2018 with a third quarter 2018 start up.
Corning Incorporated has announced its Coming Pharmaceutical Technologies project at its Big Flats Innovation SupportCenter. This project has capital investment of up to $50-$60 million and will create nearly 170-180 jobs. Coming has invented a newproduct line, Valor Glass, for the pharmaceutical packaging marketplace and has created a new business division.
Micatu has a letter of intent to purchase the 70,000 square foot former Wings of Eagles and Sikorsky facility at Aviation Drive in Big Flats to relocate its corporate headquarters and establish a high tech manufacturing facility for the design and production of a lineof optical sensors for the utility industry for use within the smart grid. Micatu plans to create an additional 65 jobs and was awarded a $1 million dollar economic development grant from New York State along with a 76 West Clean Energy competition award for $1million as the top prize winner in 2016. FAA approval for this non-aeronautical use project has been received and the sale should close in the first quarter of 2018.
CemeCon Inc., a manufacturer of carbide cutting tools with high performance coatings, which is located at the IST Center in Airport Corporate Park, expanded its current 25,000 square foot facility into an additional 15,000 square foot facility on theIST campus for the purposes of creating a National headquarters and expansion of its CVD Diamond coating service. This expansion will result in the creation of 12 additional jobs.
Beecher Emission Solutions Technologies (BEST), parent company of Ward Diesel Filter Systems and Ward Clean Air Products, is a leading manufacturer of emission controls and filter products, has leased the former Schweizer facility in Big Flats to consolidate its Elmira operations with recent business acquisitions from Pennsylvania and Nevada. The consolidation of these operations will result in the creation of 18 jobs and a $4.3 million dollar capital investment, which will allow this facility to be privately owned. This project was designated a Southern Tier Priority project under the CFA process for 2017 and should receive funding for an early 2018 close.
Hanover Square Village of Horseheads has been awarded a $150,000 New York Main Street grant for a mixed-use development project to include upper story residential housing. A local developer has been identified and construction will start before the end of the year. Additionally this project has inspired another six property owners in the Square to pursue a $1 million dollar RESTORE NY grant that will allow for the rehabilitation of several storefronts and additional market rate upper story apartments.
Northeast Furniture has leased the 48,000 square foot former FedEx Building in the HOST for a furniture assembly operation for large scale projects such as college dormitories and hotels. The company anticipates hiring 15-20 new full-time employees over the next few years as well as 5-10 employees that will transfer from their current location out of state.
Honcho Recycle Company Limited has selected HOST as the location of their new state of the art tire recycling plant. Thecompany will occupy the 100,000 square foot vacant facility. The company plans to hire 20-30 employees.
Air-Flo Manufacturing anticipates closing on a 300,000 square foot facility at HOST over the next few months. Total Capital Investment is approximately $3 million dollars and will increase their nearly 200 person workforce by an additional 40 full-time employees. The new facility will allow the company to consolidate manufacturing operations from five different locations and support future planned production growth with the startup of manufacturing of a new garbage packer that will include the installation of five new production lines.
Corning/Big Flats LLC will construct a 204,000 square foot warehouse/storage facility on Sing Sing Road for the primary use of Coming Inc.’s Science and Technology division. The total Capital investment is $12.6 million and will create approximately 80 temporary construction jobs and seven permanent full-time employees.
21st Century Wind Inc. is a startup prospect going into business to manufacture, sell and service proprietary high output, low life cycle cost utility-sized three Megawatt wind turbine generators for moderate wind applications. The company has selected HOST for an initial 100,000 square foot facility with capital investment of $12 million dollars over the first two to three years of operation. The company anticipates hiring upward of 100 employees during the early phases of operation. The company has investment commitments from NY Green Bank and private investors interested in supporting renewable energy projects.
Elmira Heights 14th Street Corridor Redevelopment – A feasibility study will be conducted in the project area to define a vision and goals for this central business district in Elmira Heights. This work will include an inventory, analysis and strategic plan for achieving the determined vision for this historic business district. Work will also include an assessment of infrastructure, codes, design and regulations the Village may need to modify to make their downtown a destination. This project has submitted a grant application through the CFA process for 2017.
Sandlot Sports Academy Expansion Project is proposing to construct a new 65,000 square foot multi-purpose sports facility in Big Flats. The facility will include a main fieldhouse, indoor baseball and softball facilities, indoor turf field, outdoor fields for baseball and softball, soccerflacrosse, pro shop, physical education programs for disabled youth and adults and a public walking trail. This $2.3 million project will include 15 full-time employees and will draw sports teams and visitors from throughout the Northeast. The facility will also include an assembly area for the “Backyard Batter Pro” an instructional sports training tool developed for proper swing and hitting mechanics.
Elmira Refresh
Elmira Refresh is a plan for the revitalization of Elmira Downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods. Elmira was a winner of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI), which will help fun Elmira Refresh initiatives. The vision and strategic framework for this plan is built on making Elmira the eastern anchor for the 1-86 Innovation Corridor, a dynamic college community and the development of an attractive community with vibrant neighborhoods by reversing the trends of blight and poverty. The DRI plan will run in coordination with another recent announcement that Elmira received a $1 million award to develop a strategic plan to reduce poverty and increase social mobility. These City of Elmira based programs have been enhanced by the recent approval of the Chemung County Land Bank. The Land Bank will serve as a tool to remove blighted properties from the tax foreclosure process and be rehabilitated in partnership with private sector developers.
Elmira Refresh Projects
Chemung Crossings on Elmira’s Southside has broken ground on its’ nearly $15 million mixed-use scattered site development project. The project will involve the revitalization often sites in the South Main, West Henry and Harmon Street area. The development will provide eight buildings that wilI include 45 apartments and 3,200 square feet of commercial space.
Envision Elmira is a rnixed·use redevelopment of the formerWerdenberg’s building in Downtown Elmira. This redevelopment project received a $120,000 CFA grant toward the total project cost of $700,000 that includes fa~ade restoration, two first floor storefronts, and four market rate apartments on the second floor. The upper story apartments are nearing completion and should be occupied by the first quarter of 2018.
West Water Street Row House Project is a mixed-use redevelopment of 389-399 West Water Street. These long neglected properties received $1.2 million in improvements that resulted in 16 market rate apartments and two commercial units. This project received $140,000 in CFA support and a $200,000 Urban Initiative grant and is now completed. Finger Lakes House Pub occupies one of the commercial units and all apartments have been leased. This urban redevelopment project is a showcase for other downtown projects.
Lake Street Property Redevelopment Project will start the process of redevelopment of 118-126 Lake Street, which have been long vacant and deteriorated buildings. The County, through foreclosure, has taken possession of these properties and the Chemung County Industrial Development Agency and the City of Elmira have received a $500,000 Restore NY grant to stabilize these structures to include new roof, windows and fa~ade upgrades in preparation for development. The project now has a selected developer for a mixed-use project to include upper story market rate apartments and lower level commercial space. The project will include a $6.6 million rehabilitation and improvements.
West Water Street Infill Project is a mixed-use redevelopment project at the long vacant former Rosenbaum’s/Harold’s site. The project will include 51 market rate apartments and 16,000 square feet of commercial space. The total cost is $14 million and has private investment of $6-7 million. DRI will fund $4 million for this project. In addition, improvements to the apron space and nearby parking garage will receive nearly $2 million from DRI funds. There is also a $2.3 million Restore New York grant for this project. Groundbreaking for this project is scheduled for November 2017. The first commercial tenant has been identified and will bring approximately 30 employees to this new exciting urban space.
Baldwin Street Redevelopment Project will include the rehabilitation of 110-114 Baldwin Street. The CCIDA has purchased 110 Baldwin Street and the County has taken possession of 112-114 Baldwin Street through foreclosure. This project is in the early stages of determining grant funding in the next Restore NY funding cycle in 20 17 but a local developer has been identified and has leased the space to cover expenses until rehabilitation funding is finalized.
Capriotti North Main Street Redevelopment – This project involves the restoration and redevelopment of 110-120 North Main Street in the heart of Downtown Elmira. The project will include the rehabilitation of five commercial units on the first floor and 18 market rate apartments on the second and third floors. Construction on this $1.5 million project is anticipated to start in the summer of 2018 and be completed late 2018 or early 2019. The project will retain six full-time jobs and will provide additional commercial growth opportunities in Downtown Elmira.
The Vecino Group, under the project name Libertad Elmira, will undertake a complete $20 million renovation of the former Jones Court located on Elmira’s North side. The project will result in 94 units of affordable housing and will remove a long blighted property that has been a troubled location for a number of years. This project has received funding approval and will close in December 2017 with abatement taking place before the end of the year.
Elmira Savings Bank- East Water Street Downtown Anchor Project is an approximately $1.5 million rehabilitation of the building between Turtle Leaf Cafe and Swan and Sons which will provide four upper story market rate apartments and commercial space expansion for the two current businesses that abut these properties. This project is pending a $500,000 Downtown New York Main Street grant.
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) has conunitted to opening a 350 student medical school on the campus of Elmira College. LECOM continues to work through the accreditation process and will have an opportunity to reapply in December 2017 after expanding staff and solidifying facility requirements in their new application.
Lake Street Pedestrian Bridge Project has an approved NYSDOT grant for $3.7 million that will create a walking/bicycle trail from the north side to the south side of Elmira. The 20 percent local share will be funded through the $10 million DRI grant with design work in 2018 and full rehabilitation in 2019. This project will enhance and rehab a long time eyesore, complement development on Lake Street and East Water Street and tie into the planned Riverfront Park and parking improvements scheduled for 2018-2019.
SEPAC designs and produces electromagnetic particle brakes and clutches for Aerospace, Defense, Medical and Industrial Markets. In 2017, the company successfully acquired Placid Industries and relocated it to Elmira, which created 11 new jobs and expanded product offerings. SEPAC now has an additional opportunity to acquire a disruptive technology company and move it to Elmira. Superior Motion Control manufactures customer electro-mechanical activators for the Aerospace and Defense Industries. This acquisition will immediately create 28 new jobs for the Elmira area through this $7.5 million capital investment and set the stage for additional job growth as the synergies of this merger are operationalized. This project was designated as a priority project by the Regional Economic Development Council and has a $1.5 million dollar grant pending.
Salient Management Expansion Project – This company specializes in developing computer software for business solutions and is considering a relocation to downtown Elmira. The company employs approximately 130 full-time positions and will add 27 new positions. The total capital investment is $3.3 million and several NYS economic development grants are pending. This project was selected as the top priority project through the Southern Tier Regional Council CFA application process for 2017.
One Clemens Square, the former Centerway Plaza is comprised of 13,000 square feet of mixed commercial retail space. This deteriorating and blighted property is a focal point for the DRI. This project is essential to the redevelopment of Clemens Square and is targeted for mixed commercial/retail and restaurant service to the newly planned Clemens Square, which will be constructed from DRI funds and will support the West Water Street planned development. This $750,000 project will create 13 new jobs and is essential to the revitalization of downtown Elmira. This project has been identified as a priority project by the Regional Economic Development Council for 2017.
New York Beauty and Barber Academy opened in the former Department of Labor building on Baldwin Street in Elmira. The academy conducts adult education and training classes to allow students to acquire a license in cosmetology, barbering and/or esthetics. The facility is also a full functioning salon and spa and is only the third barbering program in NYS. This $400,000 project employs approximately eight employees.
Rainbow Lettering located on College A venue in Elmira provides design and print logos for various customer products has expanded their facility by approximately 3,200 square feet and added eight jobs to their current workforce of 35 with a capital investment of $1.1 million dollars.
USPS The building on Industrial Park Boulevard in Elmira has been purchased by a developer who intends to proceed with a full remediation and renovation to updated industrial standards.
CDS Housing has started construction of an affordable Housing Community on Maple A venue in the City of Elmira that is slated to open in the fall of 2018. This $11.87 million project will provide 50 apartments for seniors and create 75-100 temporary construction jobs as well as one full-time site manager and one full-time maintenance worker.