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Central New York

Topping the list of big projects in the Central region is a $200 million expansion by New Venture Gear, a manufacturer of automobile transmissions and transfer cases. The company plans to add 100,000 sq. ft. (9,290 sq. m.) at its East Syracuse plant and create 300 manufacturing jobs.

"I traveled to Detroit to meet with representatives from the two companies that own New Venture Gear -- DaimlerChrysler and General Motors -- to convince them that New York has become a premier place to do business," Gov. Pataki said in announcing the expansion. "New Venture's $200 million investment in New York -- instead of Virginia or Indiana -- makes it clear they heard our message and recognized our role as America's tax cut leader has created an environment in which businesses can thrive."

Adds company Vice President and General Manager Jerry Mallory: "The governor and his team at Empire State Development helped to develop the winning proposal to bring this additional work to our East Syracuse plant. We closely considered a number of options, including plants in other states."

New Venture Gear is eligible for $5 million in state infrastructure, training and capital grants. The expansion will occur in a State Economic Development Zone, making the firm eligible for tax credits based on added employment and investment.

In Oswego County, Sonoco Flexible Packaging's $1.5 million expansion will significantly diversify the plant's product line. The company's market will expand from its traditional line of food and confectionery packaging into the market for sterile medical instrument packaging.

The facility competed for the expansion with other Sonoco plants in Morristown, Tenn., and Edinburgh, Ind. "Our success here," says Fulton Plant Manager Jim Quinn, "demonstrates that, with the help of Operation Oswego County, Empire State Development, Niagara Mohawk, the Fulton CDA, the Greater Fulton Chamber and the IBEW Local, we can pull together as a team and come up with an attractive economic package."

Steel rebar manufacturer Whitacre Engineering's new $2.5 million Clay, N.Y., facility is more competitive now, thanks to key assistance by CSX Transportation (CSXT), Niagara Mohawk Industrial Development, Onondaga Industrial Development Assn. and the New York Dept. of Transportation. The team helped the firm secure an industrial access grant to pay for a rail siding and switch, thus opening up the plant to lower-cost rail transportation. CSXT will transport some 120 carloads of concrete reinforcing bars annually for Whitacre.

In other developments, Diemolding Corp., a manufacturer of custom plastic parts for the automotive and medical industries, will invest $11.5 million to convert its 200,000-sq.-ft. (18,580-sq.-m.) Madison County warehouse into a manufacturing facility. The expansion is expected to create 150 new jobs.

Yet another Madison County expansion involves H.P. Hood, a producer of milk, cultured foods, citrus, extended shelf-life dairy, frozen desserts, non-dairy and specialty drinks. The firm is completing a $10 million expansion of its Ultra High Temperature plant, creating 28 new jobs.