NCIDA elects chairman, approves applications for assistance for seven projects

Scott P. Kiedrowski elected chairman

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency board of directors conducted its annual reorganizational meeting on Wednesday. Scott P. Kiedrowski, the clerk and treasurer and registrar of vital statistics for the City of North Tonawanda, was elected chairman. He will have time to consider his slate of officers, as well as committee chairs and members, which will be voted on at the April 17 board of directors meeting.

"I am honored to have the confidence and support of my fellow board members and look forward to serving our community in our collective efforts to bring new jobs and investment to the region, as well as provide assistance to companies already here in Niagara County," Kiedrowski said. "We are certainly hitting the ground running with the projects we approved and the applications we accepted today."

The board of directors approved applications for assistance for tourism projects in Niagara Falls and Lockport that were submitted at the February meeting. These projects would retain 17 full-time jobs and 47 part-time jobs, while creating approximately 50 new full-time jobs and about 20 seasonal and part-time jobs. The projects also will generate more than $10 million in capital investment.

The board also accepted applications for expansion projects in Lockport and Ransomville that would create 51 full-time and 31 part-time jobs.

Diversified Manufacturing on 410 Ohio St., Lockport, has been in business for more than 50 years and specializes in metal fabrication with a full range of welding, machining and assembly services. The company is seeking to consolidate its Amherst operations to Lockport and is proposing to build a 47,000-square-foot addition, including 37,000 square-feet of manufacturing space and 10,000 square-feet of office space. The proposed expansion will bring 46 full-time jobs and 13 part-time positions to Lockport. The total project cost is $4.8 million with estimated annual community benefit of almost $11 million. The company is requesting a 15-year payment in lieu of taxes, sales tax exemptions and mortgage recording tax abatement.

Founded in 2008, Lake Effect Ice Cream manufactures ice cream for retail stores throughout Western New York and has outgrown its current location at 20 Lock St., Lockport. The current location serves as both an ice cream stand as well as production facility, but the company needs additional manufacturing space to meet growing demand. The company wants to acquire, renovate and expand a building at 79/81 Canal St. The Lake Effect Ice Cream project is estimated to cost $211,000, creating 15 part-time jobs and providing an estimated annual community benefit of $293,000. Lake Effect Ice Cream is requesting a five-year Opportunity Zone PILOT and sales tax exemptions.

KI-PO Automotive has been serving Niagara County for more than 40 years and leases a dealership facility at 2534 Youngstown Lockport Road in Ransomville. It is considering acquiring the property. In addition to purchasing the property, KI-PO would build a 4,300-square-foot addition to the property to meet new standards to remain a GM Chevrolet dealer or risk the renewal of the GM franchise agreement, which could force closure of the facility. The expansion project is estimated to cost $1.54 million and will create five full-time jobs and three part-time positions, while retaining 23 full-time and one part-time position. KI-PO Automotive is requesting a 15-year PILOT, sales tax exemptions and mortgage recording tax abatement. The project is estimated to have an annual positive community benefit of $1.06 million.

Local hotelier B.F. Patel, through Indian Ocean LLC, received approval for a 10-year commercial PILOT and sales tax and mortgage recording tax exemptions to invest $6.65 million to renovate and convert the former Moore Business Forms plant at 900 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, into a Courtyard by Marriott hotel. When completed, the new hotel would create 24 new jobs and nine part-time jobs, with a total annual payroll of approximately $700,000. The estimated annual positive community benefit of the project is $3.37 million.

Hydraulic Race Company is the operator of the Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride in Lockport. The company received approval for a five-year Opportunity Zone PILOT and sales tax and mortgage recording tax exemptions. The total project cost is $104,300 with estimated annual positive community benefit of $172,100.

Maid of the Mist Hospitality LLC is seeking to invest $4 million to refurbish the Comfort Inn The Pointe, located at One Prospect Pointe in Niagara Falls. In order to retain the Comfort Inn franchise from Choice Hotels, refurbishments and upgrades must be performed with completion deadlines. Maid of the Mist Hospitality received a 10-year commercial PILOT sales tax and mortgage recording tax exemptions. The total annual estimated positive benefit to the community is approximately $3.9 million.

Geise Properties, LLC - Old City Hall was granted a five-year Opportunity Zone and sales tax exemptions to renovate space within the historic property located at 2 Pine St., Lockport, which will be leased to the Flight of Five Winery, as well as other food and tourism retail operations. The renovations to Old City Hall are estimated to cost $200,000, with an estimated annual positive community benefit of $1.145 million.

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency is a not-for-profit public benefit corporation established in 1972 by the Niagara County Legislature. Under the provisions of the New York Industrial Development Agency Act, the NCIDA is empowered to actively attract and develop economically sound commerce and industry, thereby fostering job opportunities, general prosperity, and economic welfare for all residents of Niagara County. The NCIDA utilizes a variety of financing, tax-incentive and job-training programs to induce economic growth. Many of these programs can be employed individually to meet a specific need or assembled to form a comprehensive development package.