Edwards Vacuum builds $319 million facility which will have 600 employees at full capacity
Photos courtesy of Genesee County Economic Development Center: U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer joins Edwards Vacuum leaders and local officials in cutting the ribbon on Thursday for the new manufacturing site at 6685 Crosby Rd., Basom.
Press Release, Genesee County Economic Development Center
BASOM – Edwards Vacuum, a global leader in vacuum and abatement solutions and part of Atlas Copco Group, has celebrated the official opening of its new manufacturing facility in Genesee County.
The facility represents Atlas Copco Group’s continued investment in US manufacturing and semiconductor supply chain infrastructure, helping strengthen America’s ability to produce critical technologies domestically while supporting the continued growth of the semiconductor industry.
Purpose-built to produce the advanced dry vacuum pumps used in semiconductor manufacturing, the Genesee facility expands Edwards’ North American production capabilities and will cater for the demand driven by investments in semiconductor manufacturing across the US.
Powered by renewable hydroelectric energy generated from nearby Niagara Falls, the facility combines advanced manufacturing capabilities with Edwards’ commitment to sustainability, innovation and long-term regional investment.
The Genesee site will support customers across North America and around the world while creating high-quality manufacturing, engineering, and technical career opportunities in Western New York. The investment further strengthens the region’s growing position within the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing ecosystem.
“This facility reflects our confidence in both the future of the semiconductor industry and the strength of the Western New York community,” said Dan Papsidero, General Manager of Edwards’ Product Company Genesee. “As someone who grew up in this region, it is especially rewarding to help lead an investment that creates opportunities for local talent, supports advanced manufacturing, and contributes to the continued growth of our community. We are proud to be building world-class products here, while creating long-term partnerships that will help strengthen the region for generations to come.”
The project is the result of strong collaboration between industry, government, economic development organizations, educational institutions, and community stakeholders. Edwards also recognizes the contributions of regional partners whose support helped advance the project and reinforce Western New York’s growing role in the semiconductor industry.
“The opening of Genesee marks an important milestone in Edwards’ commitment to serving the global semiconductor industry,” said Martin Tollner, President of Atlas Copco Group’s Semiconductor division. “As chip manufacturers continue to invest in next-generation technologies and expanded production in the United States, Edwards is proud to invest alongside them. This facility strengthens domestic manufacturing capabilities, supports a more resilient semiconductor supply chain, and demonstrates our commitment to providing world-class vacuum technology built in the United States.”
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer secured an $18 million federal CHIPS grant award for the Edwards Vacuum project.
“Edwards Vacuum, America’s first semiconductor dry pump manufacturing facility, is open for business right here in Genesee County!” said U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer. “Today, major semiconductor companies look to Genesee County as home to the advanced vacuum technology they need for their chip fabs that only Edwards Vacuum will make in the USA.”
“When I wrote and passed into law the CHIPS & Science Act, it was with bringing to the U.S. and New York cutting-edge facilities like this in mind,” Schumer said. “Four years ago, I personally called on Edwards to locate their new factory along Upstate New York’s emerging semiconductor superhighway. Thankfully, Edwards agreed Genesee County was the best place for their business, bringing up to 600 new, good-paying jobs to Western New York and boosting the region’s growing semiconductor Tech Hub. I’m proud to have delivered $18 million in federal CHIPS funding to Edwards Vacuum to bring this state-of-the-art facility to life. America’s next era of chip manufacturing is underway here in Upstate, and I can confidently say New York’s best days are ahead.”
Edwards Vacuum plans to produce 10,000 dry pumps per year in phase one at its Genesee County facility, with plans to scale up to 20,000 units annually.
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Edwards Vacuum’s newly completed state-of-the-art facility represents hundreds of good-paying jobs and millions of dollars invested in Upstate New York. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York is building a strong semiconductor ecosystem statewide, furthering its global reputation as the preeminent hub for advanced manufacturing.”
The grand opening celebration brings together employees, customers, community leaders, educational partners, economic development organizations, and elected officials to recognize the collective effort that helped bring the facility from vision to reality.
The Genesee opening reflects Atlas Copco Group’s continued investment in North American manufacturing and innovation. Together with other recently announced investments across the US, the project underscores the Group’s long-term commitment to advancing technology leadership, supporting strategic industries, strengthening American manufacturing capabilities, and creating sustainable growth opportunities for the future. Atlas Copco Group’s US footprint includes 26 production, remanufacturing, and distribution centers, more than 160 locations, and approximately 7,500 employees, demonstrating the Group’s longstanding commitment to American industry and innovation.
About Edwards
For over 100 years, we’ve been a leading developer and manufacturer of sophisticated vacuum and exhaust management systems and innovative service solutions. Our technology is essential in industries ranging from semiconductors and renewable energy to pharmaceuticals and scientific research.
Part of Atlas Copco Group, we operate as part of a global family of brands. Over 8,000 Edwards employees work together to create, engineer and enable environments where innovation thrives.
Editor’s Note Gov. Kathy Hochul issued this statement about Edwards Vacuum’s new facility in Genesee County: “The completion of the state-of-the-art Edwards Vacuum manufacturing facility is proof positive that there is no place else for advanced manufacturing than New York State. Edwards’ decision to choose New York means hundreds of good-paying jobs and millions of dollars in investment in the Upstate economy while helping to strengthen our domestic semiconductor supply chain and ensuring that New York remains a global hub of innovation and the epicenter of semiconductor manufacturing nationwide.”
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley issued this statement: “This is an exciting milestone for Genesee County and all of Western New York. The opening of Edwards Vacuum represents a tremendous investment in our community, bringing hundreds of good-paying jobs, strengthening our local economy and positioning our region as a leader in advanced manufacturing. Projects like this demonstrate what is possible when we invest in American manufacturing and create opportunities for hardworking New Yorkers to build successful careers right here at home.”
“Western New York has a proud history of manufacturing, and investments like this are helping build its future. I am proud to celebrate this achievement alongside Edwards Vacuum and our local partners. This facility will not only create new opportunities for our workforce but also help ensure Genesee County remains a competitive destination for businesses looking to grow and innovate. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this investment will have on our community for generations to come.”
KENDALL – The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that Route 237 will be closed between Route 18 and Kendall Creek Road in the Town of Kendall, Orleans County, beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, November 2, to accommodate a culvert replacement project.
The road is expected to be reopened by Friday, November 13.
Motorists should follow the posted detour using Route 104, Route 272 and Route 18.
Motorists should anticipate travel delays during this time and are advised to seek alternate routes if necessary. Construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change based on conditions.
Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 30 October 2026 at 10:31 am
Dr. Jane van Dis
ALBION – Green Orleans, a grassroots organization committed to preserving the environment and an affiliate of the Community Coalition for Justice, is sponsoring a presentation Nov. 4 at Hoag Library on “How to Eat Less Plastic.”
At 6:30 p.m., Dr. Jane van Dis, a doctor at Strong Memorial Hospital, will lead a program on the simple ways to reduce exposure to microplastics.
“We ingest plastics through the food we eat and the water we drink,” van Dis said.
Van Dis has worked with the effects of microplastics on the body, particularly effecting mothers and their babies, said Sister Dolores, coordinator of Green Orleans.
She previously spoke in Albion on March 5, 2025 in a presentation called, “The Toxicity of Plastics.” She lectures nationally and internationally on the intersection of the climate and plastic crisis and women’s and maternal health.
Van Dis co-founded OBGYN’s for Sustainable Future, an interest group of Healthcare Without Harm. She has published in academic journals on the climate crisis and women’s health. She is on Tik Tok, where she addresses plastics, pollution and women’s/maternal health and creates short educational videos.
More than 400 million tons of plastic are produced annually, and environmentalists estimate 25 to 51 trillion plastic pieces currently float across marine environments. At best, only 9 percent of plastics get recycled, Sister Dolores said. Many plastics are not recyclable and even many of those that are wind up in landfills or in our waterways.
The microplastics break down under sunlight and waves into particles smaller than 5 mm, and absorb toxic chemicals. These enter the marine food web and eventually reach human seafood supplies.
Green Orleans began as part of the Community Coalition for Justice in 2020, with people interested in the earth’s sustainability. They meet at 11:30 a.m. the third Thursday of the month at Hoag Library.
The Nov. 4 presentation will include light snacks and refreshments. Those attending are asked to bring a refillable, non-plastic water bottle.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 October 2026 at 9:56 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KENDALL – Members of the Kendall Lions Club have donated medical equipment that will be going to people harmed in the Russian war against Ukraine. Mike Albanese pushes the wheelchair in this photo.
The Lions Club has a Medical Loan Closet in the basement of the Kendall Medical Office at 16815 Roosevelt Hwy. There were many surplus items and the Lions Club donated six wheelchairs, about 70 walkers, and many crutches, rolling walkers with seats and IV poles.
The club still has many of the items to loan out to people who need them in the Kendall community and eastern Orleans County.
“We have way more stuff than we need,” said John Becker, a Lion Club member who runs the Medical Loan Closet with Mike Cusimano and Gary Crawford.
Mike Albanese, left, and Tom Cole, a Lions Club member and owner of the Hilton-Spencerport Express trucking company, put the donated items in one of Cole’s trucks. Cole would then deliver the equipment to a Xerox warehouse in Webster, joining other medical equipment items that will be transported by a shipping container to Ukraine. That shipment will be coordinated by RocMaidan, a humanitarian and medical aid organization affiliated with the Ukrainian Cultural Center of Rochester.
Maureen Lemke of Kendall volunteers with RocMaidan and helped load the medical equipment on Thursday. In addition to all the medical equipment from Kendall and other medical loan closets, she said RocMaidan also will be sending hospital beds, medications, surgical backpacks and energy bars.
Ukraine has suffered since it was invaded by Russia on February 24, 2022.
RocMaidan formed in 2014 to assist Ukraine after a Russian invasion of Crimea. RocMaidan has shipped over 500 tons of aid to Ukraine since then. The organization is packing its 33rd shipping container on Saturday and it will include the medical equipment from Kendall.
Dave Strasenburgh pushes a wheelchair that will be donated to war victims in Ukraine.
Kendall has had a medical loan closet since the 1970s. It was initially based at the Kendall Fire Hall but outgrew that space. It was then in Town Hall basement but needed more room. It is now in the basement of the Kendall Medical Center, where it has a walk-out basement making it easy to bring in items and get them out when they are needed by people in the community.
The group that loaded the medical equipment on Thursday includes, front row, from left: John Becker, Mike Cusimano, Dave Strasenburgh, Gary Crawford, and Maureen and John Lemke. In back: Mike Albanese and Tom Cole.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 October 2026 at 8:33 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KENDALL – The Town of Kendall Highway Department has installed a new sidewalk from the Dollar General to Kendall Road (Route 237), a project to make pedestrians safer near a busy corridor of the town.
Dollar General opened the 9,100-square-foot store on Dec. 18, 2017 and town officials say the store has been busy. It is located on the north side of Route 18, just west of the Route 237 intersection.
The Highway Department connected a sidewalk from the store to Kendall Road.
Photo and information courtesy of Medina Marching Band
MEDINA – Last night, the Medina Mustang Marching Band honored its 2027 seniors. The evening began at Veterans’ Park, where the band performed its 2026 show, “We the People.”
Each senior then walked with their family to be recognized for their accomplishments in the band. The night concluded with band members teaching a family member or friend how to march.
The season concludes on Sunday at the Carrier Dome, now known as the JMLA Wireless Dome in Syracuse. SS2 class starts at 2:20 p.m. and Medina performs at 2:46 p.m.
There are 50 bands in 6 classes that participate in this event. Performances for all of the bands starts at 8 a.m. and continue throughout the day. Medina is scheduled to perform at 2:46 but give yourself plenty of time to get into the dome and find a seat.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2026 at 12:44 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Sgt. Dillon Black of the Albion Police Department presents a proposal to the Albion Village Board on Wednesday for the Albion PD to offer firearm safety courses. Mayor Tim McMurray hears the proposal with Village Trustee William Gabalski at left.
ALBION – The Albion Police Department wants to offer an 18-hour class for people seeking to get a Concealed Carry Pistol Permit from New York State.
Sergeant Dillon Black presented the proposal to the Village Board on Wednesday and board members said they support the plan, but first want to hear for village attorney John Sansone and the village’s insurance carrier.
The APD would charge $300 for the class, with village residents getting a discount, according to the proposal.
Two Albion police officers are already certified to lead the class as firearms instructors and a third officer may become certified, Black told the board. His father, Corey Black, was a long-time instructor of a pistol permit class in Orleans County.
Sgt. Black of the APD proposed a class with 16 hours of classroom learning and 2 hours of live-fire range training.
The Village Board said it would make a decision during its Nov. 18 meeting and expects an approval.
Black would like to start with a smaller class of about 8 students and expand to a maximum of 30 in the future.
He told the board it would cost the village about $100 per student with staff time to run the class, plus ammunition and printing of coursework and certificates.
The police department would like any revenue generated to stay in the police budget and go into the APD reserve funds, Sgt. Black said.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C Batavia) was critical of Gov. Kathy Hochul for signing two new gun-control measures that further restrict ammunition purchases and expand firearm safe-storage requirements, calling the action political grandstanding that imposes real costs on responsible gun owners while doing little to stop criminals.
The bills, signed last week at a New Yorkers Against Gun Violence event, include S.7236/A.7983, which expands ammunition background-check denials, and Francesco’s Law, which extends existing safe storage requirements and criminal liability to gun owners regardless of whether they live with a minor or a person prohibited from possessing a gun. The storage changes take effect in January 2027.
“This is classic Albany grandstanding,” said Hawley. “Gov. Hochul signs more gun rules at a photo-op and claims she’s keeping New Yorkers safe, but the people who actually pay the price are the law-abiding gun owners, not criminals. This measure expands ammunition restrictions beyond federal law and raises due process concerns.
“Lawful buyers now face more delays, fees and red tape every time they purchase ammunition. These costs in time, money and inconvenience fall almost entirely on people who already follow the law. If the goal was really public safety, Albany would focus on holding repeat offenders accountable instead of making it harder and more expensive for honest citizens to exercise their rights.”
Hawley noted that New York already has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, yet the new measures continue to layer compliance burdens on owners and small dealers without meaningfully addressing illegal guns or violent crime.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2026 at 11:53 am
Dominick Callara
MEDINA – A Medina man has been charged with two felonies following an investigation into the sale and distribution of illicit drugs in the Village of Medina.
The Orleans County Major Felony Crime Task Force reports the arrest of Dominick Callara, 21, of East Oak Orchard Street in Medina.
The Task Force on June 18 executed a search warrant at 211 E. Center St., upper apartment, and seized a quantity of psilocin mushrooms and Buprenorphine strips packaged for sale, drug paraphernalia and $171.
After the substances were tested at the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Laboratory, police on October 13 charged Callara with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, intent to sell (Class D felony).
He was taken into custody on an arrest warrant and was held for CAP Court arraignment. The task Force said Callara was subsequently released on his own recognizance due to the New York State bail reform laws.
Assisting in the investigation were Orleans County District Attorney Susan Howard, the Medina Police Department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and New York State Department of Corrections Office of Special Investigations.
Further arrests and charges are pending in this investigation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2026 at 10:23 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: The four library directors of the public libraries in Orleans County are shown on Tuesday before their presentation to the Orleans County Legislature, asking for more funding in the county’s 2027 budget. Pictured from left include Elizabeth Haibach, director of Hoag Library in Albion; Melanie Norman, director of Community Free Library in Holley; Heather Rutherford, director of Yates Community Library; and Kristine Mostyn, director of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina.
ALBION – The four public libraries in Orleans County are seeking a boost in county funding to reflect the libraries expanded mission beyond loaning out books.
The libraries in Orleans Conty have requested $1 per person in funding from the County Legislature in recent years. That would be $40,343 based on county’s population in the 2020 Census.
That has been the request in recent years, but the Legislature has kept libraries at $10,087 since 2011.
“When you look at everything the library does, I think it changes how we should think about our funding for libraries,” said Elizabeth Haibach, director of Hoag Library in Albion.
The four public libraries in Albion, Holley, Lyndonville and Medina met with county legislators on Tuesday. The library leaders said their facilities host many community events, provide internet access, display county tourism materials, assist residents with technology questions and serve as warming centers during the winter and cooling centers during the hot summer months.
Albion opened Hoag Library in 2012 and that site’s three meeting rooms are very busy, including hosting programs for county departments – Emergency Management, Planning and Development, Office for the Aging, and Department of Social Services.
The library also is used as the polling place for the Town of Albion and for the school district’s annual budget vote and election.
Hoag also brings a services into the community, by hosting blood drives, mobile mammography, mobile lung screening and other programs.
Lee-Whedon Library in Medina recently completed an expansion and has seen a 42 percent increase in library users in the past two months, said Krsitine Mostyn, library director.
Lee-Whedon added meeting rooms which are already in demand and have been used by many community organizations. She listed 15 organizations that are using the meeting rooms for diabetes education, digital literacy, understanding addiction, educational programs, health insurance enrollment, babysitting courses, CPR training, mental health skills, community grant sessions, disaster preparation and planning for events.
Lee-Whedon, like Hoag and the Yates Community Library, also hosts a concerts series. All four of the libraries plan many events for their summer reading programs.
Heather Rutherford, director of the Yates library, said the site doesn’t have a meeting room for the public but there is space that is frequently used for tutoring sessions. She applies for many grants to expand programs and services, including one that resulted in a new Book House by the library that has used books and also outdoor materials that be borrowed to go fishing, birding and to explore nature.
Melanie Norman, director of Holley’s library, noted many agencies use the Community Free Library for programs. She said the libraries have proven to be “essential community spaces” that don’t charge fees to the public to access services.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2026 at 8:53 am
Henry Smith recognized for 25 years of service to club
Provided photos
ALBION – The Albion Lions Club welcomed two new members this week. The photo shows, from left: Lions Club member June Persia with new members John Bigley and Pam Jenks. They are joined by Melanie Adams, a member of the Clarendon Lions Club and a past district governor. Persia sponsored the new members.
The Albion Lions meet at the Masonic Lodge on Platt Street. The club celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024 and continues to do many community service projects in Albion.
The club honored Henry Smith Jr. for his 25 years of service to the Albion Lions. He received a certificate from Club President Ron Albertson, right. Ben Lennox, a member, is shown at left.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 October 2026 at 8:22 am
Provided photos
ALBION – Mike Donahue was presented a Quilt of Valor on Oct. 17 during a ceremony at the Vets Club. Donahue, a Navy veteran, has been active for many years in the Honor Guard for veterans, and also with the American Legion and VFW.
The Quilts of Valor Foundation was started in 2003 and has presented more than 450,000 quilts to veterans to honor their service.
The quilt for Donahue was presented by Barbara Frost and it was pieced, quilted and bound by Lisa Feor. For more information on Quilts of Valor, click here.
Mike Donahue is shown as the bugler while Taps was played as part of the Honor Guard on Dec. 15, 2024 during a ceremony at Mount Albion Cemetery for Wreaths Across America.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 October 2026 at 6:52 pm
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature voted to pay the 10 towns in county 30 percent more in 2027 to plow county roads and do roadside mowing, with 5 percent increases annually in 2028 and 2029.
The 10 towns pushed for the sizable increase citing a dramatic rise in costs for fuel, salt, plow trucks and other equipment. Town officials say they just want to cover their costs for plowing, ice control and roadside mowing for 196.82 miles of county roads. The 30 percent increase will cost the county an additional $471,010 in 2027.
The towns currently get $7,218 a mile for their work on county roads. The new contract starts on Jan. 1 and will give the towns $9,383 per mile for plowing. The county doesn’t have its own fleet of plow trucks and relies on the towns for the snow plowing on roads.
The contract also calls for the towns to be paid $986.52 per mile for roadside mowing in 2027, with 5 percent increases the following two years.
The agreement gives the county and towns an option for another mutually agreed up two-year extension in 2020 and 2031.
The contract states the payments for snow and ice control will be made in June of every year, with the payments for mowing to be paid in three separate payments in June, July and August.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 October 2026 at 5:39 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: Larissa DeGraw of Medina and her daughter Mirabelle walk in Mount Albion Cemetery this afternoon. They are from Medina and came to the cemetery to climb the 68-foot-high tower, which is a Civil War Memorial. The activity was part of a challenge for Red Ribbon Week to get out and exercise. There are many brilliant colors with the foliage at the cemetery, with a growing percentage of leaves on the ground.
Orleans County and much of the state will be moving past peak in fall foliage, I LOVE NY reported today in its weekly update on foliage conditions.
There will still be peak foliage throughout many parts of the Finger Lakes as well as the central and lower portions of the Hudson Valley and several locations on Long Island, I LOVE NY stated.
This map is provided by the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program and shows much of the state will be past peak in fall foliage for the next week.
Although the area is moving to past peak, there are still many colorful leaves on the trees.
An observer for the weekly report said the leaves are at about 85 percent change at the Cobblestone Museum in Albion “with bright golden amber brown leaves.”
The leaves have changed colors and many have fallen by the tower at Mount Albion Cemetery.
