County loans EDA $100K for sewer work at Medina Business Park

MEDINA – Orleans County legislators approved loaning the Orleans Economic Development Agency $100,000 to complete a water and sewer upgrade at the Medina Business Park.

The EDA is managing improvements to the park for Pride Pak, as well as a possible new hotel. There isn’t a firm commitment yet for the hotel, but Pride Pak is nearing completion for a new 62,000-square-foot vegetable and fruit processing facility on Route 31A across from the GCC campus.

Pride Pak will use about 400,000 gallons of water and sewer daily, which will be a big boost to the Village of Medina, said Jim Whipple, EDA chief executive officer.

The water and sewer upgrade will cost about $500,000. The EDA is having some cash-flow issues, Whipple said, and asked for a loan from the county.

The state is expected to come through soon with $80,000 toward the project, Whipple said.

The County Legislature on Wednesday approved the short-term loan for the EDA so the water and sewer improvements can be completed.

“This is not a line of credit,” said David Callard, Legislature chairman. “It’s a one-time shot.”

Pride Pak had looked at the former Bernz-O-Matic site in Medina, which wouldn’t have required new infrastructure. But the company decided to build a new facility. Pride Pak could add two or three additional buildings with future expansions in Medina that would be served by the water and sewer improvements, Whipple said.

Pride Pak officials have said the company would have 85 to 100 employees as part of the first phase. It could have 200 employees in Medina at full build-out.

The Legislature approved the loan with it to be paid back at 2 percent interest within a year.