ROCHESTER — A $49.1 million investment in the Genesee Brewery is expected to create 128 jobs and spur development and tourism in northeast Rochester, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was in town today to make the announcement at the Genesee Brew House.
Gov. Cuomo also signed legislation to modernize New York’s archaic 80-year-old Alcoholic Beverage Control Law while at the Genesee Brew House this afternoon.
“The expansion of the Genesee Brewery is a symbol of the economic renaissance unfolding throughout the Finger Lakes and an important example of how we are leveraging the region’s resources to generate growth and opportunity,” Gov. Cuomo said. “We will continue to investing in New York’s burgeoning beverage industry to raise the profile of New York’s unparalleled products, create jobs and unleash potential for future economic growth.”
The project includes the installation of one of the most advanced brewing systems in the world; expansion of the Genesee Brew House restaurant and tasting room; improvements to and an expansion of the pilot brewery; and a new event space. The multi-phase project will culminate in the creation of an “Eco-Brewery District” that will provide a sustainable destination for brewing, tasting and learning about beer in Rochester. The designation of “Eco-Brewery” aligns with the company’s philosophy of helping to sustain its neighborhood and beer and brewing community while reducing its environmental footprint.
Genesee currently employs 592 people in Rochester and will create 128 jobs as a result of the project – 64 of which will be set aside for people affected by poverty. The Eco-Brewery District and expansion project was identified in Finger Lakes Forward, the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council’s Upstate Revitalization Initiative Plan, as a highlighted Year One initiative. The incentives are based on North American Breweries meeting private investment and job creation milestones over a 10-year period.
Empire State Development will provide up to $4.5 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits in return for North American Breweries’ job creation commitments. Through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, ESD will also provide a $5 million capital grant. Up to $3 million of the URI capital grant is tied to North American Breweries hiring 64 persons impacted by poverty. The FLREDC identified poverty reduction as a primary goal in its URI strategic plan, in partnership with the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative.
The Eco-Brewery district project includes an 18,000-square-foot expansion and the demolition, construction and purchase of new tanks and brewing equipment. Working in collaboration with Monroe Community College, the district would also support workforce development for the beer industry. In addition, the district would be marketed as a tourist attraction that aligns with the High Falls Gorge nearby the low-income Northeast neighborhood.
“Companies like North American Breweries are growing New York’s thriving beverage industry,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky. “Thanks to the Governor’s commitment we are seeing beverage producers take their businesses to the next level, grow their workforces and fuel economic opportunities statewide.”
“Over the past six years, North American Breweries has invested $70 million in Genesee, creating 250 new jobs in the beer industry. Genesee has been a big part of the brewing renaissance in Rochester,” said North American Breweries CEO Kris Sirchio. “As the oldest brewery in New York State, Genesee has a great opportunity to help Rochester become a premier destination for beer and brewing. With all the great breweries in Western New York, there is no better time than now to create an Eco-Brewery District that will attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year while generating new jobs and investment in the Northeast district of Rochester. “
“North American Breweries’ continued dedication to Rochester and the High Falls District is evident with today’s Eco-Brewery expansion announcement,” said Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs, Monroe Community College President Anne Kress and Wegmans Food Markets CEO Danny Wegman. “Another exciting component of today’s announcement is that NAB, one of our City’s oldest employers, has become the first private company to commit to hiring people impacted by poverty since Governor Cuomo created the Rochester Anti-Poverty Task Force last year. Using URI funding to incentivize these kind of job commitments is essential to creating the “Pathways to Prosperity” at the heart of the poverty reduction goal in the Finger Lakes Forward URI strategic plan.”
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren said, “We are placing Rochester on a path toward success by investing in our assets to help businesses grow, to create more jobs, safer and more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational opportunities. In doing so we’ve had a great partner in Governor Cuomo. Today’s investment in the Genesee Brewery is a manifestation of the Governor’s commitment to helping industries in our community and upstate New York thrive. The Rochester region is home to some of the leading producers of beer, wine and spirits, and this landmark legislation will help create more opportunities for these businesses and allow them to create more jobs and build on the growth we’ve seen in recent years.”
Watch the announcement below, courtesy of Gov. Cuomo’s YouTube.
