NCIDA accepts application for assistance from Shipman Properties

105-year-old company plans to covert vacant building into a state-of-the-art printing facility

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency board of directors today accepted an application for assistance from Shipman Properties LLC. The holding company of Shipman Print Solutions plans to relocate the 105-year-old printing company to a long-standing vacant building at 6120 Lendell Road, in the Town of Wheatfield. Extensive renovations and upgrades are needed to covert the building into a fully functioning printing operation. The expected total cost of the project is $764,000.

"The decision of Shipman Print Solutions to keep its operations in Niagara County is a testament to the significant economic benefits of doing business here, and this board is dedicated to doing all it can to make sure we can assist companies so they can stay, expand and prosper here," said Henry M. Sloma, NCIDA. "The company's plans to renovate an existing vacant building will also be a great asset to the county, and is just the most recent example of an encouraging trend that has more companies deciding to retrofit vacant buildings when expansion is needed."

Shipman Print Solutions Company originated as Wahl Printing and Binding in 1906. It was purchased by Frank Shipman, who extensively expanded the company by adding cut sheets, additional envelope product and commercial print capabilities under Shipman Printing Industries. The company was purchased by Gary Blum in 2000 and now operates under Shipman Print Solutions.

Currently located at 2424 Niagara Falls Blvd., in the Town of Wheatfield, Shipman Print Solutions originally explored expanding its current location, but physical and technological expansion of the plant was determined to be unfeasible. Due to the limited space of its current location, the company purchased the building on Lendell Road. Renovations and upgrades to the vacant building are needed to allow it to house production, storage and administrative operations. Shipman Properties has applied for a 15-year industrial payment in lieu of taxes, sales tax abatements and mortgage recording tax abatement.

The newly retrofitted facility will allow space for new printing presses and provide for a better manufacturing environment, with better product flow and storage through the production process. The project and will create two new full-time jobs, while retaining the company's 28 full-time and two part-time employees. The total annual economic impact of the proposed project for the county is $210,000.