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Falls Manufacturer Adding 108 Jobs

Business First - by James Fink

Monday, June 27, 2011

A multi-layered incentive package put together by the Empire State Development Corp. and other local economic development agencies helped convince a packaging manufacturer to expand its presence in Niagara Falls.

Norampac, a division of Cascades Inc., has agreed to add to its Niagara Falls plant by undertaking a $430 million project that will see a state-of-the-art “green package” facility constructed. The project will see the company add 108 jobs to the 138 people who already work at the Packard Road plant.

The plant will manufacture packaging materials from recycled fibers.

Norampac, which was working closely with the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and Empire State Development Corp. on the project, will start the expansion effort this summer.

“Norampac’s decision to invest and create jobs in Niagara County speaks volumes about New York state’s commitment to attracting and retaining business,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a prepared release.

Cascades has six plants in the state and employs more than 800 people. Among them is a Norampac plant in Lancaster.

The incentive package includes $60 million in brownfield tax credits, 10 megawatts of low-cost hydropower from the New York Power Authority, $5 million in Empire Zone tax credits, a $3.5 million grant from the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority to purchase equipment that will help the plant conserve 31 million kilowatt hours annually and a $500,000 utility infrastructure grant from National Grid’s Capital Investment program.

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency also crafted an incentive package related to the project.

Tom Kucharski, Buffalo Niagara Enterprise president and chief executive officer, said his agency has been working with Norampac since 2088 on the expansion project.

“This is further proof that we can successfully compete for the attraction of manufacturing companies and jobs,” Kucharski said.

Norampac had considered other sites both in New York and elsewhere for the plant.

“This is great example of how state incentives and low-cost hydropower can translate into the creation of jobs for our 21st century workforce,” said State Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane.