Orleans EDA sees job growth in 2013

Several million-dollar projects expected

Several business expansions are planned for 2013 in Orleans County, with millions of dollars in private investment planned for the ventures, said Jim Whipple, the CEO of the Orleans Economic Development Agency.

“This is going to be a great year,” Whipple said.

The projects are spread around the county with a $4 million investment by Credit Recovery Financial Services topping the list. That company is moving from its Albion location on East Avenue to the Olde Pickle Factory in Medina, doubling in size to about 700 employees.

CRFS has grown from Jodi Gaines’ kitchen table a decade ago into the industry leader, helping banks and investors recoup money when a home is foreclosed. Employees work with industry regulations in all 50 states.

As part of its shift to the Pickle Factory, building owner Roger Hungerford also is spending $4 million in renovations to modernize space for CRFS. Hungerford spent $1.2 million at the Pickle Factory in 2012, upgrading space for tenants.

Other projects in the county include:

The Wegman Group in Rochester plans to turn a former Salvation Army camp in Kendall into The Cottages at Troutburg, a 126-acre site with the potential for 400 cottages. Construction on the first seasonal houses, ranging from 450 to 1,300 square feet, is expected this year.

In Holley, Precision Packaging Products is considering a $2 million expansion that could create 20 jobs, Whipple said.

In Albion, an electronics recycling company from Canada is expected to close on an EDA-owned warehouse on McKinstry Street. The company is planning a $700,000 investment in Albion while creating 25 jobs.

Helena Chemical in Albion also is looking at a new site for its company, which sells chemicals, seeds and other products to agricultural businesses. The company may spend $1.5 million on a new site this year. It looked at a site in Albion on Long Bridge Road, but after neighbors objected the company is now targeting a spot in Medina.
Also in Medina, Take Form Architectural Graphics is pursuing a $1.5 million expansion into the current Trek building on Route 31A. Trek is moving to Lockport. Take Form plans to add 20 positions as part of its expansion.

Whipple said other companies are considering expansions, including Freeze-Dry Foods in Albion, Snappy/ACME in Medina, and other companies he declined to name. One project could be an $11 million new-build.

Whipple said 2012 was a successful year, highlighted by the redevelopment of two former Jubilee grocery stores.

Jerome Pawlak opened a Save-A-Lot in Holley at the former Jubilee, spending $1.2 million and adding 15 jobs.

Ace Hardware this month will open in the former Jubilee in Medina, a $1 million project that will add at least three new jobs.

Orleans Community Health invested $1.5 million in Albion in a new health care center at the corner of Route 31 and Butts Road, a project that added 16 jobs.

The Village Inn in Gaines spent $325,000 for a remodeling that resulted in 2.5 new positions.

CRFS also grew in 2012, spending $1 million for new computers, office furniture and other upgrades of its site in Albion.