1 week Ago By Tessa Langston
AgriAmerica Fruit Products LLC has given new life to a once languishing grape juice production facility in Fredonia, New York. Dropping over $2.5 million on new machinery and upgrades, the newly revitalized 69,000-square-foot space at 200 Water Street, is set to juice up Western New York's regional capacity to process the humble grape; this is according to an announcement made by Governor Kathy Hochul as cited on the official government website.
In a region where the grape industry is a cornerstone of the local economy, this expansion is doing more than producing nearly 2 million gallons of grape juice each year — it’s generating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and reinforcing Chautauqua County’s crucial role in the grape industry; as Governor Hochul underscored, “The expansion of AgriAmerica’s processing capabilities provides a much-needed production facility for Chautauqua County grape farmers,” and is poised to initiate future economic prosperity, the Governor's office reported.The partnership between state, local government, and AgriAmerica is emblematic of the type of collaboration that has potential to bear fruit — quite literally. Empire State Development, under the guidance of President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight, contributed a $498,600 capital grant, demonstrating a strategic investment aimed at lending support to local companies' growth.
In a press release, Knight stated, “This expansion of a Western New York grape processor is a great example of the positive results we can achieve through strategic state investment. By leveraging existing resources, we can support the growth of local companies like AgriAmerica. I am very pleased ESD could help ensure such an important food manufacturer expand and support area farmers in Chautauqua County.
”AgriAmerica's expansion is more than just another brick and mortar development; it's designed to act as a linchpin supporting the Lake Erie Fruit Cooperative, whose near 100 family farm members will supply over 10,000 tons of grapes each year for processing — that's a lot of grapes and a whole lot of grape juice, enough to pour out approximately 32-million servings worldwide, according to the company's founding partner and managing member Eric Huddy said the completion of the project will significantly help AAFP remain a competitive producer of nearly 2 million gallons of grape juice each year.On the employment front, the facility is expected to create five full-time positions and numerous seasonal roles, not to mention the ripple effect with an anticipated 469 full-time equivalent jobs in various agriculture-related industries within the next four years, according to the official announcement. Chautauqua County Executive Paul M.
Wendel Jr. views this as a show of dedication to the hardworking grape growers who shape the region’s agricultural identity..
