ESD CHAIRMAN GARGANO: COMPANY TO EXPAND IN BATAVIA, CREATE JOBS

Ashley Furniture Homestores to create 72 new jobs, retain 54 existing jobs.

Empire State Development Chairman Charles A. Gargano announced today that Ashley Furniture Homestores, a licensee of the largest retailer of home furniture in North America, plans to construct a 100,000 square foot assembly and distribution center in Gateway Corporate Park in Batavia. The project is expected to create 72 new jobs and retain 54 existing jobs.

"Projects like this one are proof that Governor Pataki's business friendly policies, such as Empire Zones, work to attract businesses to New York State and to help them grow and thrive here," Chairman Gargano said. "This company is creating and saving jobs for hard working citizens and their families. I congratulate this company on its dedication to Genesee County, and wish it continued success."

Ashley Furniture Homestores is a licensee of Ashley Furniture, located in Wisconsin, the largest retailer of home furniture in North America with sales exceeding $3 billion. The company is based in Wisconsin but all retail outlets are independently owned and operated licensees of Ashley.

"We are very pleased to announce our expansion here in Batavia, New York," said Tim Quinn, Vice President of Operations at Ashley Furniture Homestores. "It is tremendous undertaking for us and we had considered locations outside of New York State. But after considering the benefits of a Batavia location, the tremendous workforce available in the area, and the incentives provided by Empire State Development, the Governor's Office For Small Cities and the Genesee County Economic Development Center, the decision became an easy one to make. Thanks go out to all who have helped make this project a reality."

Steve Hyde, President & CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), said, "We are delighted to welcome Ashley Furniture to Batavia. Ashley is investing in excess of $4 million in our community and locating in the new Build Now NY certified Gateway II Corporate Park in the Town of Batavia near the Batavia Thruway interchange. GCEDC, worked very closely with our partners from the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise, Empire State Development and the Governor's Office of Small Cities to convince Ashley to continue their growth and expansion in the Batavia Micropolitan area. We very much appreciate the support and assistance from our regional economic development partners in helping this project to materialize."

"Ashley Furniture's site decision speaks directly to the Genesee County Economic Development Center's proactive approach to creating and marketing shovel-ready sites for development," said Thomas A. Kuchraski, President and CEO of Buffalo Niagara Enterprise. "The strategic location, with easy access to Interstate 90, allows this facility to serve both the Buffalo and Rochester markets."

In consideration of its commitment to New York State, Ashley Furniture Homestores is eligible to apply to Empire State Development for a JDA loan of up to $1.2 million to support this building project. Additionally, the company will receive a $540,000 award from the Governor?s Office for Small Cities.

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