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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Food Manufacturers Partner for Rochester, New York, Food Manufacturing Initiative

01/31/2019
Food product manufacturers LiDestri Food and Drink and Crop's N.V. of Belgium formed a partnership to manufacture ready-serve products at Eastman Business Park in Rochester, New York.

LiDestri Food and Drink manufactures pasta sauces, dips, and salsas. The company also provides private label services for sauces and dips, oils and vinegars, spirits, and organic products. Crop's N.V. manufactures and distributes frozen food in Europe.

According to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s office, with support from the State, the companies will form a new company that will manufacture ready-to-eat-meals at a new 65,000 square-foot facility at Eastman Business Park.

The partnership will result in the creation of 123 new full-time jobs over the next five years, and 900 jobs will be retained at LiDestri's two Finger Lakes region locations, the Governor said. In addition to the construction of the new facility, the $51.3 million project will also include the addition of manufacturing lines, a rail extension and utility upgrades.

John C. LiDestri, Co-President, LiDestri Food and Drink said, "We are excited because we are bringing an innovative product from our European partners that not only provides jobs for families but an innovative, on-trend healthy choice for families."

"By investing in innovative projects and partnerships we are growing key industries across the state and creating more jobs for New Yorkers," Governor Cuomo said. "This new partnership will continue to highlight the region's great agricultural assets and build on the efforts of the regionally designed Finger Lakes Forward plan to reinvigorate communities and generate economic growth across the entire region."

"This project will significantly expand LiDestri's manufacturing operations at the growing Eastman Business Park in Rochester," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who announced the project in Rochester as part of the State of the State and budget presentation. "With state support, the new facility will further grow the food and agriculture industry and create new jobs in the region. This investment is one of several by the state and private companies to ensure the Finger Lakes continues to be a leader in the agricultural industry."

Up to $4 million for this project is being made available through the Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative. Another $4 million may also be provided through the Excelsior Tax Credit Program in exchange for job creation commitments.

The URI capital grant stipulates that $1 million of the total $4 million grant is tied to the region's anti-poverty initiative. The company will need to hire 33 people meeting the eligibility requirements for the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative.

President of Eastman Business Park and Eastman Kodak Company CFO David Bullwinkle said "New occupants at Eastman Business Park continue to contribute to its growth. With almost 110 companies operating in the Park today and impressive momentum for new users, we are working to bring in several more in 2019. Eastman Business Park resources are a great fit for food and beverage processing, biopharma and roll to roll manufacturing."

This project builds on the continuing success of Eastman Business Park in Rochester. Eastman Business Park, the site where Kodak began manufacturing photographic film and paper more than a century ago, has been repurposed to aid with reinvigorating the region.

Today, the campus supports almost 110 companies, employing over 6,000 people. Besides LiDestri Food and Drink, businesses such as ON Semiconductor, AIM Photonics, Kodak, DuPont, SiGNa Chemistry, Harris, Carestream, Columbia Care, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Love Beets, and Acquest Development are located at Eastman Business Park.

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