State to designate Cambria park 'shovel-ready'

New 152-acre site among first pre-qualified for plant construction

Top leaders from Niagara County and New York state will be on hand 9 a.m. Thursday as a new high-tech industrial park sited in the Town of Cambria receives New York state's new "Shovel-Ready Certification" from Empire State Development Corp. officials (meaning that new companies can break ground at the site without the red tape often associated with new construction projects).

The certification - to be highlighted by a large highway sign being presented by the state-government-run Empire State Development Corp. - means that the local developer has worked proactively with the state to address all major permitting issues, prior to a business expressing interest in the location. This advance work creates a site where construction can begin rapidly, once a prospective business decides to develop a facility there.

The parcel is located along Lockport Road, west of Campbell Boulevard (state route 270), and east of Comstock Road.

The 152-acre Cambria site was made ready for its shovel-ready status thanks in large part to a $300,000 grant provided by National Grid, as well as the coordinated efforts of officials from Cambria, Niagara County, the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency, the Niagara County Center for Economic Development, and state leaders.

Niagara County also worked in concert with the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise during the process.

WHO: Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane; Assemblyman John Ceretto, R-Lewiston; Niagara County Legislature Chairman William Ross, C-Wheatfield; Niagara County Legislature Economic Development Committee Chairman Rick Updegrove, R-Lockport; Niagara County Legislature Deputy Majority Leader Dave Godfrey, R-Wilson; Supervisor Wright Ellis, R-Cambria; members of the Cambria Town Board; representatives of the NCIDA; representatives of National Grid; representatives of Wendel Engineers; representatives of the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise.

WHAT: Accepting Empire State Development Corp. officials' "Shovel-Ready Certification" status for the new Cambria Business Park.

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 2, 9 a.m.               

WHERE: Cambria Town Hall, 4160 Upper Mountain Road, Sanborn.