Genesee recognized as Top 5 micropolitan area for business growth

File photo by Tom Rivers: Plug Power President/CEO Andrew Marsh speaks during a news conference on Sept. 1 at the STAMP site in the Town of Alabama in Genesee County. He was joined by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer. Plug Power broke ground later that fall as the first tenant at the 1,250-acre site.

Press Release, Genesee County Economic Development Center

BATAVIA – Following a record-setting year of projects, Site Selection Magazine has ranked Batavia and Genesee County as the fifth most active micropolitan in the United States for business growth.

Batavia and Genesee County continue to be recognized for financial investment and job commitments and economic impact at the region’s various shovel-ready sites.

Site Selection Magazine noted that the GCEDC assisted many businesses who made significant financial investments at its shovel ready sites across the county in 2021, including the Gateway II Corporate Park, Apple Tree Acres Business Park, Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park, Buffalo East Tech Park and Western New York Science & Technology Advance Manufacturing Park (STAMP).

Among the projects sited by Site Selection Magazine were Plug Power’s $232 million financial investment at STAMP. Plug Power has commenced construction at the 1,250-acre mega site on North America’s largest green hydrogen project. The project is targeting to create 68 new jobs and will generate the largest contributions toward local municipalities and infrastructure of any commercial-industrial project in Genesee County.

“The Site Selection Governor’s Cup Rankings once again confirm that Genesee County continues to build a strong and diverse economy,” said GCEDC Board Chairman Pete Zeliff. “I am proud of the work of our board and hard-working staff at the GCEDC to be once again recognized by Site Selection Magazine.”

“Genesee County continues to demonstrate that our community is a great place to work, live and recreate through the significant financial investments being made by the private sector,” said Genesee County Chair Shelley Stein.