By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 August 2023 at 9:04 pm
ALBION – Village of Albion officials want to pursue a $4.5 million Forward NY grant that would help revitalize the downtown in a program that aims to support a vibrant and year-round economy.
The village has scheduled meetings for 6 p.m. on Sept. 5 and Sept. 12 at the Village Hall, 35-37 East Bank St.
The village is working with its grant writer, G & G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing, to determine if there is enough interest and potential projects for the grant.
The village and G & G want to hear from businesses, cultural organizations, developers, non-profit organizations and landowners.
Potential projects could include:
new construction (residential, mixed use, hotel, etc.)
renovation of existing buildings
facade improvements
renovation of new retail, office, co-working, commercial, industrial, recreational or cultural use
For more information, contact the village’s grantwriter at info@ggprocess.com.
The Village of Medina was awarded the $4.5 Forward NY grant in February and has a committee working to identify projects for the funding, with the state to the give a final review of the projects.
The Forward NY grants were added by the state last year and are modelled after the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The DRI grants tended to go to cities. The state added the Forward NY program to include more villages and help those smaller municipalities move forward projects in the downtown areas and near the waterfront.
BATAVIA – Empire State Development (ESD) today announced that dairy product manufacturer HP Hood will grow its operations in Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park.
The project will include the addition of new processing systems, along with other upgrades which will allow the company to increase capacity for the production of additional extended-shelf-life (ESL) beverages at the Batavia facility.
As a result, the company has committed to creating up to 48 new jobs at the manufacturing facility. To date, the company has created more than 400 jobs at the site and currently employs close to 1,200 statewide.
Hood purchased the on-site, 363,000-square-foot plant in 2018 from the Dairy Farmers of America for $60 million and soon after expanded the facility by another 100,000 square feet. HP Hood is the agri-business park’s largest landowner.
“This continued commitment from one of the nation’s most prominent dairy companies will create top-quality jobs and spur new investment in the Finger Lakes,”
said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight. “Agriculture and food processing are key pillars of the region’s economic development efforts, and HP Hood’s latest investment shows that our multi-pronged growth strategy is working.”
ESD is assisting the forward-thinking project with up to $1 million through the performance-based Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program in exchange for the job creation commitments. The total project cost has been placed at $120 million. Genesee County is also considering providing incentives for the project. Greater Rochester Enterprise also assisted with the expansion effort. Construction on the planned updates is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2025.
Headquartered in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, HP Hood has five New York State production facilities in Batavia, Vernon, Oneida, Arkport and Lafargeville. Founded in 1846, today Hood is one of the largest branded dairy operators in the United States. The company’s portfolio of national and super-regional brands and franchise products includes Hood, Crowley Foods, Planet Oat, Heluva Good!, LACTAID®, and Blue Diamond Almond Breeze®. The company’s annual sales are more than $3 billion.
Gary Kaneb, President and CEO of HP Hood LLC, said, “Our investment in the Batavia facility is being driven by the continued growth of ESLdairy and non-dairy beverage categories. We are grateful for the support of Empire State Development as Batavia continues to be a strategic site for the expansion of our ESL manufacturing capabilities.”
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, said, “I’m happy to see Empire State Development’s announcement that HP Hood is expanding its operations in our region. Businesses like HP Hood play an important role in our state’s agriculture and specifically the dairy industry. Their commitment to add nearly 50 new full-time employees and retention of over 450 employees will provide more support for our local economy. This announcement is great news for our district and will have a positive impact on our community and Western New York as a whole.”
Steve Hyde, Genesee County Economic Development Center President & CEO, said, “HP Hood’s growth has already exceeded expectations at the Ag Park and this project adds to the success of the agricultural and food and beverage manufacturing sectors which continues to be leading employment sectors of our economy. This expansion is another endorsement of Batavia and the Ag Park’s role as the leading dairy hub of the Northeastern United States, and our local workforce’s talent and readiness for food and beverage manufacturing.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 August 2023 at 10:15 am
ALBION – Ken Schleede, a resident of Yates-Carlton Townline Road, said the road is seeing more severe flooding, concerning many local residents.
He said the changes started about a dozen years ago. He presented photos of his submerged road from a recent rainfall to the Orleans County Legislature last week.
Last year in February a sinkhole forced the county to close a section of the road between Ashwood and Alps roads. The county then had to rebuild that part of the road.
The road continues to get flooding this year after many rain events.
“We definitely have an issue there,” Schleede told county legislators last week.
John Papponetti, the county DPW commissioner, agreed there is a flooding problem on Townline Road. He said it happens in other parts of the county as well.
The DPW has been working with landowners and the Soil & Water Conservation District to try to deal with the water, and keep it off roadways.
“It’s a problem we have across the county,” Papponetti responded. “We just can’t stay on top of it.”
Papponetti said an increase in farmers tiling their fields, which directs water to ditches, may be resulting in more water in ditches and spilling over onto roadways.
“It’s sending more water to our system,” he said.
When it rains 2 to 3 inches in a storm, the result can be a flooded road.
“That’s more than our drainage system can handle,” he said.
Papponetti said he would meet with Schleede to look at Townline Road again, and see if the system can be improved.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 August 2023 at 6:40 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Firefighters check up high to make sure a fire at a grain leg in a facility owned by Panek Farms in Knowlesville hasn’t spread.
Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at about 3:30 this morning. There was a fire at the base of the grain leg, said Ridgeway Fire Chief Tyler Luckman.
The fire was contained to that area. Albion firefighters brought a ladder truck to make sure the fire hadn’t spread up higher.
The grain facility on Route 31 is across the road from the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. The grain bins and legs are currently empty, which made it easier to keep the fire confined to a small area, said Justin Niederhofer, the Orleans County emergency management director.
A belt that carries grain to the top of the facility was on fire, he said.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. A contractor was on site welding and cutting on Wednesday. A fire investigator wants to check with that contractor as part of the investigation into the fire.
Albion firefighters use a ladder truck to check up high if the fire had spread. The blaze didn’t get high into the grain leg. It was confined to the base area of the grain leg. About 20 firefighters responded to the scene.
Provided photo: Assemblyman Steve Hawley is outside Upstate Niagara’s facility in Batavia.
Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley
BATAVIA – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) toured the Upstate Niagara Cooperative’s O-AT-KA Milk Product facilities in Genesee County on Aug. 17.
Upstate Niagara is a farmer-owned dairy cooperative that owns eight manufacturing facilities making products such as milk, cream, butter, cottage cheese, yogurt, evaporated milk and specialty beverages, along with employing more than 1,500 people in New York.
Hawley is proud to see local businesses helping to support the region and state’s number one industry, agriculture. Hawley took the time to meet with management and staff at Upstate Niagara’s facilities including Director of O-AT-KA Operations, Joe Steinocher.
“We were honored to host Assemblyman Hawley at our plant here in Batavia. O-AT-KA Milk, a subsidiary of the Upstate Niagara Cooperative, employs about 450 people and receives milk from many of its 260 local farmer-owners,” Steinocher said. “On our tour, we had the pleasure of showcasing the many great things our team continues to accomplish each day. We also highlighted the areas in the plant where we have grown through investment and discussed many of the challenges facing us in the future. We hope Assemblyman Hawley found the tour enlightening and will think of the economic impact O-AT-KA and Upstate Niagara have on Batavia and surrounding communities when he returns to Albany for the next legislative session.”
“Agriculture is the backbone of our state’s economy and cooperatives like Upstate Niagara are leading the charge,” said Hawley. “It is always great to see local businesses making an impact in our community and throughout our state. I will always support our local businesses, farmers, and agricultural industry in Albany.”
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today unveiled her Veterans Plan and Broadband Access Plan to highlight her commitment to our communities’ veterans and to rural broadband access.
To address New York’s lack of adequate broadband competition, earlier this year, Tenney co-sponsored the American Broadband Deployment Act which works to streamline the federal, state, and local permitting and approval of broadband and wireless communication facilities. Tenney’s plan details her commitment and efforts to bring fast, reliable and affordable broadband to all corners of NY-24.
In addition, this week, Tenney reintroduced her bipartisan Remembering Our Local Heroes Act, to secure funding to preserve the legacies of veterans, firefighters, and law enforcement officers in our communities. This bill reinforces the four core pillars of her Veterans plans, which includes ensuring transparency and accountability within the VA, expanding access to quality healthcare, supporting the transition to civilian life, and honoring the sacrifice of those who served.
Today, I unveiled my Broadband Access Plan and Veterans Plan, which underscore my unwavering dedication to bridging the digital divide in our rural communities and honoring the service of our nation’s brave veterans,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “As a Marine Mom, I am committed to ensuring our veterans have the resources and federal support they need to reintegrate into society and access their hard-earned benefits. In addition, I am working to cut through bureaucratic red tape preventing the expansion of affordable rural broadband and supporting legislation to give NY-24 access to fast, dependable, and affordable broadband options.”
To view Tenney’s full Broadband Access Plan, click here.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2023 at 8:29 pm
The number of people employed in Orleans County is up by 400, from 16,700 in July 2022 to 17,100 last month, according to the state Department of Labor.
The county’s unemployment rate dipped from 4.1 percent to 3.5 percent during that time, with the number of unemployed down from 700 to 600.
The unemployment rate nationally was 3.8 percent last month, the same as in July 2022. However, the number of people working has grown by 2.9 million in the year – from 159.1 million to 162.0 million.
Statewide, the unemployment rate has dropped from 4.3 to 4.1 percent from July 2022 to last month. New York also has 178,200 more people working in that time – from 9.284 million to 9.462 million.
These are the unemployment rates for July 2023 in Western New York counties:
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2023 at 10:47 am
The Albion summer concert series concludes this evening with the Geneseo Wind Quintet.
The performance has been moved from the amphitheater at Bullard Park to the Albion Town Hall on Clarendon Road due to a forecast of windy weather. The concert starts at 6 p.m.
Members of the Quintet include: Angela McBrearty on Flute, Megan Kyle on Oboe, Andrew Brown on Clarinet, Martha Sholl on Bassoon, and Nathan Ukens on French Horn;
All are faculty members of the music department at SUNY Geneseo. Kyle, Brown, Sholl and Ukens are all members of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
The Quintet will be playing pieces by Piazzolla, Sweelinck, Resphigi, Ibert and Musczinski.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2023 at 9:23 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Village of Medina Department of Public Works has cleared paths in the woods by Gulf Street Park as the village works on a 9-hole disc golf course.
Medina is working with the Orleans County YMCA to develop the course in a project funded by a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. Albion did a similar project at Bullard Park.
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation gave the YMCA $20,000 to $24,000 to develop the projects with tee boxes, signs and baskets that are mounted in small concrete foundations – 8 inches wide by 20 inches deep.
Medina is using a skid steer with a forestry head to carve a path in the woods, mulching brush and small trees. Here the machine is by the roadside where it was clearing some of the trees and brush.
Jason Watts, Medina DPW superintendent, said the new course should eb ready this fall with many of the holes in the woods and some out in the open.
The DPW has been working the project the past two weeks.
“I think it will be a big addition to the community,” watts told the Village Board on Monday about the new course.
Mayor Mike Sidari said he walked through the woods to see the progress.
“I was quite impressed,” he said.
In other action at Monday’s board meeting:
• The board approved allowing Medina’s cross country team to use Boxwood Cemetery to races on Sept. 19 and Oct. 3.
• The board also approved a Hometown Wellness 5-kilometer run and walk event on Oct. 21. The curse will include the canal towpath, canal basin and some village streets. The police department is expected to assist with traffic control during the race that starts at 9 a.m.
• Approved selling the body armor of retired Police Chief Chad Kenward back to the chief for $500. The item was declared surplus. The body armor is specifically sized for the retired chief, is out of warranty and doesn’t have a market, board members said. The armor is about 5 years old.
• Approved John McQuay as a call man for the Medina Fire Department. He is the fourth call man on the department’s roster.
• Fire Chief Matt Jackson said the inter-transfer hospital transfers are up 27 percent from Jan. 1 to Aug. 28, compared to the same time period in 2022. He said the closing of the hospital in Lockport is part of the reason for more trips from Medina Memorial to other larger hospitals.
“It hasn’t impacted operations,” Jackson told the board. “It’s just a lot more round trips.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 30 August 2023 at 8:28 am
MEDINA – Iroquois Job Corps Center celebrated its 2023 graduates with a ceremony Aug. 18.
The theme this year was “Dream Big.” This is the first graduation ceremony since 2019, before Covid restrictions, and all graduates since then were invited to this ceremony.
Fifty-one graduates walked across the stage to receive their diplomas, many to the joy of proud parents.
Certified nursing assistant graduates and clinical medical assistants also received graduation pins.
Andrew Dugan, representing Senator Robert Ortt, congratulated the class and presented them with a certificate from the Senator’s office.
Iroquois Job Corps Center director Dennis Essom presents a diploma to Keionte McIntyre during graduation ceremonies Aug. 18.
In all, more than 100 guests, including family members, attended the ceremony, according to John Thomas, Operations Director at Job Corps.
Guest speaker was Hank Warfield, a youth advocate, mentor and coach who has spent the last two decades dedicated to serving the young people of the Greater Rochester area. He brings a positive influence and deep understanding which has earned him the respect of those he serves. He is a recognizable fixture in the movement for positive change as he interacts with a community of people often overlooked and discounted.
He has served as a member of the Bishop Kearney High School Girls’ Basketball staff, earning countless sectional titles and two state titles, all the while providing groundbreaking work as a youth counselor, case manager, youth intervention and gang specialist and parent engagement coordinator. He currently works within the Rochester City School District as a crisis intervention specialist.
Graduates celebrate by throwing their caps in the air after graduation ceremonies at Iroquois Job Corps Center.
The student address was given by Student Government vice president David Murphy. His address focused on a quote from Ed Helms: “Don’t be afraid of fear. Because it sharpens you, it challenges you, it makes you stronger; and when you run away from fear, you also run away from the opportunity to be our best possible self.”
Murphy continued by saying, “Be proud that you said yes to this life changing opportunity and now have the skills you need to go back home and make a real difference in your life.”
Jannesia Maybell marches with fellow students into the auditorium for graduation ceremonies at Iroquois Job Corps.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 August 2023 at 9:49 pm
MEDINA – Students in Iroquois Job Corps Center’s International Union of Painters and Allied Trades have spent the last several weeks painting the courtroom and offices at Shelby Town Hall.
Students volunteered for this community service project for the Shelby Department of Highways, said John Thomas, Operations Director at Job Corps.
Iroquois Job Corps staff of Candace Pitts, Mark Bates and Renea Mueller worked with Shelby highway superintendent Dale Root to formulate a plan for sprucing up the town court building with a new coat of paint, Thomas said.
The students have been painting the walls, office space and hallways, and expect to have it completed before Labor Day.
Students in Iroquois Job Corp Center’s paint class pose outside the Shelby Town Hall, where they recently painted the entire courtroom and office. Kneeling in front are, from left, N. Hernandez, A. Chen and J. King. From left in rear are A. Diz, A Noworyta, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades instructor R. Mueller, A. Cruz, M Bebe and I. King.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today, alongside Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH), reintroduced the Remembering Our Local Heroes Act to establish a federal grant program to provide financial aid to assist in the construction, maintenance, and restoration of local memorials that recognize the service of veterans, active-duty military, law enforcement, and firefighters across the nation.
“Our nation’s heroes, from veterans to police and firefighters, deserve to have their legacy remembered for generations to come,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The Remembering Our Local Heroes Act provides communities across the country with the additional financial assistance they need to ensure these brave men and women are never forgotten. Those who serve our communities and protect our freedoms with bravery and distinction deserve our remembrance. I am honored to introduce this legislation to remember their sacrifice and service to our nation.”
“First responders, members of the military, and all those who have served our nation deserve to be honored and remembered for their service and sacrifice,” said Congressman Pappas. “The Remembering Our Local Heroes Act will help communities throughout the country build, maintain, and restore memorials honoring these courageous individuals and ensure they are never forgotten.”
Specifically, this bill:
Authorizes an annual allocation of $2 million for a span of five years.
Mandates that the Secretary of the Interior establish the grant program within 180 days of its enactment.
Allows local governments and nonprofit organizations to seek funding, which can be utilized for the construction, restoration, renovation, or maintenance of community memorials.
Requires that the individuals being memorialized have made positive contributions to their community, either through exemplary public service or by demonstrating exceptional bravery.
Sets a maximum limit of $100,000 for each grant awarded. Recipients are also obliged to provide non-Federal matching funds equivalent to at least 50% of the grant amount. This stipulation ensures both robust community endorsement for funded memorials and the effective leveraging of local funds.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is hosting two town hall events in Monroe County on Saturday, September 16.
Hawley will meet with constituents and talk about the issues that matter most to them. These events will give the community the opportunity to let their voices be heard and share their thoughts and concerns about where the state is headed.
“One of the fundamental parts of my job as your assemblyman is engaging in direct conversations with the people in our community,” said Hawley. “I hope that people come out and share their thoughts on how we can continue to improve the lives of everyday Western New Yorkers.”
The schedule for Sept. 16 includes:
Seymour Library, 161 East Ave. in Brockport from 11 to 11:45 a.m.
Hamlin Public Library, 1680 Lake Rd. in Hamlin from noon to 12:45 p.m.
ROCHESTER – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle announced his co-sponsorship of the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, legislation to expand the landmark drug pricing reforms enacted in the Inflation Reduction Act to more individuals and families in our community.
“The skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs has trapped too many families in a cycle of economic distress that threatens their health and financial security,” Morelle said. “The Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act will create significant cost-savings for our families and ensure no one is forced to ration medication or skip a refill just to make ends meet. I’m proud to support this common-sense legislation, and I hope to see it passed into law.”
Last year, Congressman Morelle voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which included provisions to allow Medicare to negotiate the prices of some of the most expensive drugs. However, this program created by the Inflation Reduction Act only applies to Medicare recipients, not Americans on private insurance plans. The Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act would expand this language and enable Americans with private health insurance coverage to have access to the same drug price negotiation program.
Specifically, the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act would:
Extend the historic drug price negotiation program to Americans with private coverage;
Stop drug companies from raising prices faster than inflation by ensuring that the inflation rebates enacted under the Inflation Reduction Act also apply to individuals covered by private health plans;
Strengthen the drug price negotiation program to deliver more savings to the American people by increasing the annual number of prescription drugs selected for negotiation from 20 to 50.
The Albion summer concert series concludes this evening with the Geneseo Wind Quintet.
