NCIDA approves River Region applications for assistance

Projects total more than $15.5 million

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency board of directors today approved applications for assistance received at its May meeting from AMDOR Inc. LLC for the proposed construction of a new manufacturing facility in Sanborn and from Bridgewater Estates LLC for a new senior housing complex in Lewiston. In addition, the board approved a revised application for assistance from KI PO Automotive for a $1.54 million expansion project to its operations in Ransomville.

The board also accepted applications for assistance from Niagara Jet Adventures LLC for a new tourism jet boat tour company in Youngstown and from 452 Third Street LLC for a conversion of an abandoned building in Niagara Falls into an 11-room hotel.

AMDOR Inc., owned by WHITING Group of Canada Inc., plans to build a 20,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on 7.5 acres in Vantage International Point, 6311 Inducon Corporate Drive, Sanborn. The new facility will be used for the assembly and painting of roll-up doors for specialty vehicles such as fire trucks and other emergency vehicles as well as the assembly of LED lighting systems. The company started in Burlington, Ontario, where Whiting Door Manufacturing Limited has been building roll-up doors for the Canadian transportation industry since 1967.

The economic investment of the proposed project is approximately $1.95 million and will create up to 20 new jobs, with an annual community benefit of approximately $1.25 million. AMDOR was approved for a 15-year payment in lieu of taxes, sales tax exemptions and mortgage recording tax exemption.

Bridgewater Estates, which has experience in senior housing construction and management, is proposing to build a 139-unit, market-rate senior housing complex, located on Route 104 near Model City Road in the Town of Lewiston. Occupancy will be limited to individuals 55 years of age or older.

Bridgewater Estates applied for real property and sales tax abatements to help offset low occupancy during startup as well as long-term rent stabilization. The total cost of the project is approximately $12.3 million and will create 3.5 new jobs, while having an estimated annual community benefit of more than $1.88 million. The Bridgewater Estates was granted a 15-year senior housing PILOT, sales tax exemptions and mortgage recording tax exemption.

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. Operators are 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 would force closure of the facility and elimination of all current jobs.

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 positions. KI PO Automotive was approved for a five-year retail PILOT, sales tax exemptions and mortgage recording tax abatement. The project is estimated to have an annual positive community benefit of $1.06 million.

Niagara Jet Adventures is proposing to open a new tourism attraction that would provide boat tours from the Water Street marina in Youngstown up the Niagara Gorge to the whirlpool and back to the marina. The company is working with Old Fort Niagara on tours as well as with local businesses to offer package deals. This type of attraction is proven to keep tourists in the area for longer stays, which benefits local hotels, restaurants and other attractions.

The new tourism attraction is estimated to cost $898,000 and will create 11 new full-time positions. Niagara Jet Adventures is requesting a five-year PILOT and sales tax and mortgage recording tax exemptions. The project is estimated to have an annual positive community benefit of $191,516.

Sheikh Elahi, principal of 452 Third Street, plans to acquire an abandoned two-story 4,585-square-foot masonry structure located at 452 Third Street in the City of Niagara Falls. The company intends to design and renovate the site and structure and operate it as an 11-room hotel. Elahi currently owns and operates a 32-room motel on Grand Island Boulevard in Grand Island and has more than 10 years of experience owning and operating motel properties.

This economic development project will place a vacant property the NCIDA considered an eyesore located in the heart of the Third Street retail district back in use and generate both sales tax and bed tax for the community.

The acquisition of the abandoned building and renovation into a hotel is estimated at $595,000 and will create four full-time positions. Elahi has applied for a 10-year PILOT, sales tax exemptions and mortgage recording tax abatement. The new hotel will have an annual community benefit of $129,277.