Intergrow greenhouse gets New York State subsidy

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo of New York announced that agricultural company Intergrow will expand its operations to Webster, creating 100 new jobs in the Finger Lakes Region. The expansion will include building two new, 25-acre state-of-the-art commercial greenhouses to grow produce year-round for the Northeast market. The company’s expansion, highlighted by Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul in Rochester, advances a key component of “Finger Lakes Forward” – increasing the region’s agriculture and food production.

“Our strategy to drive economic growth across New York has focused on investing in regional potential,” Governor Cuomo said. “By expanding its operations in the Finger Lakes, Intergrow is driving job growth in a vital sector of our economy while offering New Yorkers greater access to high-quality, locally grown produce.”

“With another day comes another positive announcement about 100 more jobs coming to the area,” Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said. “Under the leadership of Governor Cuomo, the Finger Lakes Forward plan is committed to further growing food production in the region to sustain and grow New York’s position as an industry leader.”

Intergrow, which also operates in Albion, will build two new, 25-acre state-of-the-art greenhouses at the intersection of Salt and State Roads in Webster. The produce grown will provide local, year-round, hydroponically-grown tomatoes, an alternative to produce that requires warmer, distant climates. The greenhouses will utilize state-of-the-art and sustainable growing practices, and product packaging will be performed on site. Construction of the first greenhouse is scheduled to be completed next fall. The second greenhouse is scheduled to be completed by 2020.

The first 50 employees at the Intergrow site in Webster are expected to be hired by July 2018; the remaining 50 employees will be hired before June 30, 2021. Empire State Development, New York State’s economic development agency, will provide up to $750,000 in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits and a $750,000 capital grant in return for job creation commitments. Rochester Gas & Electric will be providing a $400,000 grant to help offset electric infrastructure costs. Farm Credit East is providing a farm credit loan. The County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency has offered mortgage and sales tax abatements, as well as a 10-year standard PILOT.

Dirk Biemans, CEO of Intergrow Holdings said: “We continue to see a growing demand for locally grown, year-round produce from our customers and are excited to stay in Western New York where we have found an opportunity in Webster for a greenhouse project to produce this product.”