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Four EV charging stations added at Batavia businesses

The city of Batavia last week marked the installation of four new electric vehicle charging stations. City officials were joined by community leaders and representatives of National Grid to commemorate the installation that was made possible by National Grid’s Make-Ready Electric Vehicle program, which funds electricity infrastructure costs associated with new EV charging stations for its upstate electric business customers.

“The Genesee County Chamber of Commerce is proud to promote, support and connect our local business and tourism communities. We believe passionately in collaborations that enhance our abilities to live, work and play in Genesee County,” said Chamber President Erik Fix. “We are grateful for our partnership with National Grid and the BID (Business Improvement District) and appreciate them working together to bring EV car charging stations to downtown Batavia.”

National Grid’s program covered more than 90 percent of the infrastructure costs to install the charging stations, which includes two at Mancuso Bowling Center and two at the City Church.

“The Downtown Batavia Business Improvement District board of directors was excited to pursue this project and are thrilled to see four EV charging locations within our downtown,” said BID Executive Director Beth Kemp in a statement. “We would not have been able to move forward with these progressive additions to our downtown without the assistance of National Grid, NYSERDA, Rick Mancuso and Marty Macdonald. Thank you to all partners involved.”

National Grid’s EV charging program is available for businesses, multi-unit residential buildings and retail stores, as well as parks and vacation destinations. The company also offers a program for companies looking to electrify their fleets, which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and meet the decarbonization goals of the states where the utility operates, officials said.

“Electric vehicle adoption is on the rise in New York state, and EV charging stations are a great way to attract employees and also a great way to attract and retain new customers,” said Paul Gister, customer and community engagement manager for National Grid.

Gister also said that EV charging stations have become more popular among landlords seeking to attract and retain tenants, as well as help the state achieve its energy targets.

“These programs include incentives for customers who have an eye on the future, who support clean energy initiatives and are providing a necessity for the vehicles that will take us there,” Gister added. “Initiatives like these are at the heart of how we collaborate with customers and significantly impact our communities and community partners. These kinds of collaborations are central to our Project C Initiative, which was created to inspire change and create a more equitable future for our customers and communities.”

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GCEDC to consider several project incentives in Batavia

The Genesee County Economic Development Center board of directors will consider proposals for $18.2 million of new investment at its July 1 meeting.

Gateway GS LLC, aka Gallina Development, is proposing to construct the third phase of its flex campus at the GCEDC’s Gateway II Corporate Park in the town of Batavia. The $2.36 million investment involves a 27,000-square-foot facility that would be complete in 2022 for a single logistics and distribution tenant.

The tenant is estimating creating 21 jobs at an average annual salary of $42,000. The GCEDC board will consider an initial resolution for the project; Gateway GS is seeking roughly $387,000 in sales, mortgage and property tax exemptions.

GCEDC also will consider a final resolution for Just Chez Realty LLC. The company is proposing a $450,000 building redevelopment project as part of the city of Batavia’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The project would renovate some 6,000 square feet of a more than 13,000-square-foot building at 206 E. Main St. to create two market-rate apartments on the second floor.

Just Chez is seeking $21,000 in sales tax exemptions.

The board also will consider an initial resolution for two community solar projects on Ellicott Street Road in the town of Batavia. Trousdale Solar LLC is proposing projects that would generate 5 MW and 4 MW of electricity. The payments in lieu of taxes would result in payments of roughly $930,000 to the Batavia City School District and Genesee County over 15 years.

Trousdale Solar is seeking roughly $2.5 million in property and sales tax exemptions.

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Genesee County agencies approve economic development spending

The Genesee County Economic Development Center board of directors has adopted a Phase 1 Housing Policy. The policy establishes incentives and criteria for multi-family rental/market-rate and multifamily rental/affordable housing projects.

The Phase 1 Housing Policy is the result of the findings from a study and assessment of
Genesee County’s housing stock conducted by LaBella Associates in 2018 and an economic development strategic assessment of Genesee County conducted by the Rockefeller Institute of Government in 2019.

Key findings of both assessments include:
• Genesee County has an extremely aged housing stock with an average median age of more than 73 years
• There is a marketplace demand/need for roughly 4,800 new housing units, market-rate apartments and owner-occupied units of $100,000 or more
• Grants and/or incentives should be provided to promote new housing construction
• Incentives should be created to spur investment in the housing stock
• Failure to meet market housing demand will negatively impact economic development, including potential out-migration of current residents

“I want to thank and acknowledge the great work of the members of the GCEDC Housing Committee, including our housing committee chair Paul Battaglia, that took a methodical approach in developing this policy,” said GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde. “It is irrefutable that there is a demand in the marketplace for new housing and if we do not address the supply there will be negative economic impacts.”

The GCEDC Phase 1 Housing Policy will offer property tax exemptions for new construction and/or rehabilitation of multi-family rental market rate and affordable housing projects; sales tax exemptions for the purchase of construction materials, equipment rentals and purchases; and mortgage tax exemptions. These are the typical incentives available through the GCEDC for projects across the county.

“The members of the Housing Committee and the GCEDC Board recognize that housing is an integral part of economic development, including the demand among employers who are concerned about being able to attract new workers as they expand their operations because of a lack of quality housing near their workplaces,” Battaglia said. “We are confident in the review by our legal counsel that we can begin to offer these incentives to developers to improve the County’s housing stock and we are excited about moving forward to get some projects started.”

Also in Batavia this week, the board of directors of the Genesee Gateway Local Development Corp. (GGLDC) passed a budget for fiscal year 2021 that anticipates cash outflows of roughly $2.1 million.

“The mission of the GGLDC is to foster local economic development by making real estate development investments that prepare sites in Genesee County for new corporate tenants,” said GGLDC Chairman Don Cunningham. “The GGLDC also provides strategic investment funding to support the GCEDC’s ongoing economic development and workforce development programs.”

The anticipated 2021 expenditures of the GGLDC include operations and maintenance for the MedTech Centre building, site/corporate park maintenance, an economic development program support grant to the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC), continuing support of a dedicated workforce development consultant and professional services.

Other significant items include an $820,000 pass-through grant from the state Department of Transportation that furthers the ability of the tenants of the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park to access rail; $407,000 in debt service payments supporting development at the MedTech Centre campus; as well as $93,000 in expenses related to the GGLDC’s commitment to expanding utility capacities at the Buffalo East Technology Park for current and potential tenants.

A major source of revenue is rent of $696,000 from the MedTech Centre facility. Additional cash receipts will include $320,000 in principal and interest payments from several companies repaying loans made in previous years.

“The GGLDC will continue to actively market our shovel-ready parks in collaboration with the Genesee County Economic Development Center in 2021,” Cunningham said. “We have been working on a few projects that we anticipate will come to fruition by the end of 2021.”

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Mixed-use redevelopment project begins in downtown Batavia

Construction has begun on a $2.5 million mixed-use redevelopment project in Batavia as part of the state’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

The Ellicott Place project, which was awarded $1.15 million through Batavia’s $10 million 2017 DRI win, will improve a nearly 50,000-square-foot building by renovating 10,000 square feet of vacant first-floor space for commercial use and add first-floor interior parking, 10 second-floor apartments, a new elevator and façade upgrades.

Once complete, the project is expected to create roughly 30 jobs in the newly developed commercial space.

“The DRI award continues to support projects that are revitalizing downtown Batavia. The City of Batavia welcomes investments like the Ellicott Place that are producing more commercial activity and creating more market-rate housing in our downtown and more vitality for our city,” said Batavia City Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr.

Managed by Empire State Development, the project is located at 45-47 Ellicott St. in Batavia’s downtown. The building originally was constructed for a department store and now is occupied by a retail grocer that uses roughly half of the first level. The remainder of the structure is vacant.

“Having another of our downtown buildings transformed is an achievement in Genesee County’s economic growth,” said Genesee County Economic Development Center President and CEO Steve Hyde. “The housing demand created by economic growth in our county is being answered by great projects like Ellicott Place, and I thank our leaders at the state for providing the DRI’s benefits across a wide range of opportunities in Batavia.”

V.J. Gautieri Constructors will construct the project, which will re-activate the entire building and bring additional activity and residents to downtown Batavia.

“The continued revitalization of our community through dedicated donations and the hard work of community members shows just how strong Western New York is,” said Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, R-Batavia. “I’m thrilled to see that redevelopment of Ellicott Place is well on its way to starting, and like many other members of the community, I eagerly anticipate seeing the fruits of the labor of this project.”

The Strategic Investment Plan for downtown Batavia is working with private partners and local assets to implement the other eight projects awarded funding through the DRI. The projects will create opportunities for economic development, transportation, housing and community projects that align with the community’s vision for downtown revitalization and that are ready for implementation, officials said.

The downtown Batavia Strategic Investment Plan is guiding the investment of DRI grant funds in revitalization projects that advance the community’s vision for its downtown and that can leverage and expand upon the state’s $10 million investment.

“Our strategic investments in smart mixed-use projects like the redevelopment of Ellicott Place will create a more livable and vibrant downtown Batavia,” said ESD Acting Commissioner and President and CEO-designate Eric Gertler.

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GCEDC approves incentives for low-income apartment renovations

The Genesee County Economic Development Center board of directors has approved incentives for a $12.8 million renovation of an existing apartment complex in the city of Batavia.

Batavia Senior Housing Preservation LLC will invest roughly $21,400 per unit in hard construction costs, assuring the apartment complex at 1 State St. remains viable as a safe and affordable housing option for low-income seniors. Current residents will not be displaced during the renovation and construction.

According to a project summary, the facility offers 130 apartment units to seniors 62 and older. Sixteen of the units are handicapped accessible.

The project has been approved for a private activity bond, sales and mortgage tax exemptions and a property tax abatement. The property tax abatement is limited to the increase in future value only. Project incentives are estimated at $376,466.

For every $1 of public benefit offered, the company is investing and helping generate an economic contribution of $61 in the local and regional economy, according to the project summary.

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Downtown Revitalization Initiative project up for incentive approval in Batavia

The Genesee County Economic Development Center board of directors will consider final approval for a building renovation project in the city of Batavia at its Sept. 3 board meeting.

Neppalli Holdings LLC is proposing to invest roughly $1.165 million to renovate a three-story building at 99 Main St. in Batavia. (Photo provided)
Neppalli Holdings LLC is proposing to invest roughly $1.165 million to renovate a three-story building at 99 Main St. in Batavia. (Photo provided)

Neppalli Holdings LLC is proposing to invest roughly $1.165 million to renovate a three-story building at 99 Main St. in Batavia. The renovation and redevelopment of the 7,500-square-foot building, which was built in 1865, would include a new storefront, façade and reconstruction of the existing three floors.

A dental practice will occupy the first floor with the second floor being developed for commercial office space. The third floor will include two 2-bedroom market-rate apartments.

Neppalli Holdings is the latest transformational building renovation project to proceed in downtown Batavia since the seat of Genesee County won the state of New York’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) in 2017. Eight projects in downtown Batavia were approved for DRI funding when the city won in the second year of the competition.

Neppalli Holdings is requesting sales and mortgage tax benefits totaling $63,500.

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Genesee County considering incentives for additional solar project

The Genesee County Economic Development Center has accepted an application for more solar projects.

Batavia Solar LLC is proposing to invest roughly $3.5 million to build a 165 MW community solar farm in the town of Batavia. GCEDC accepted the proposal at its Aug. 6 board meeting, but because the total incentive amount exceeds $100,000, a public hearing will be scheduled before a final vote on project incentives.

As with previously approved community solar projects, Batavia Solar is proposing to contribute payments of $5,500 per MW at a 2 percent annual escalator over 15 years if GCEDC approves the incentives being sought by the company. Batavia Solar also would contribute to a workforce development and local economic development programming fund.

The proposed addition will bring the total megawatts of power to 30, and municipalities in Genesee County would now be projected to generate revenues of more than $3 million over 15 years, with nearly $2 million of those revenues going to school districts.

Batavia Solar is asking for roughly $500,000 in sales, mortgage and property taxes. The project is estimated to generate a $42.35 to $1 rate of return based on existing property taxes.

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Batavia, Genesee County ranked third among nation’s micropolitan areas

Genesee County and its seat, the city of Batavia, have been named among the best micropolitan areas in the nation for businesses to invest by Site Selection Magazine. It is the 16th consecutive year that Batavia has been recognized and the sixth consecutive year the region has been ranked in the top five nationally.

“This recognition is due to the hard work of the (Genesee County Economic Development Center) management and staff under the leadership of Steve Hyde,” said GCEDC Board Chairman Paul Battaglia in a statement. “It also is a reflection of the commitment of the GCEDC board members who volunteer their time working for the betterment of our community and the leadership of the Genesee County Legislature and our community stakeholders.”

Batavia and Genesee County ranked third on Site Selection’s 2020 annual rankings of the top micro areas. Its rankings include all U.S. cities of 10,000 to 50,000 people which cover at least one county. In 2017, the region climbed to the No. 2 spot, tying in its highest ranking ever.

“Year after year, Genesee County and our many private and public sector partners work collaboratively to achieve our economic development goals, which is why it is such a special honor to be recognized yet again by Site Selection Magazine as a top-three micropolitan in the country,” said Hyde, who serves as GCEDC’s president and CEO. “From our shovel-ready sites to our unique location between the Buffalo and Rochester metro markets, our region continues to demonstrate consistent economic growth through job creation and retention.”

The national evaluation recognized nine of GCEDC’s projects in 2019 across several stages of project development, officials noted. GCEDC closed on 23 project wins in 2019, securing $60 million in capital investment and pledges to create 200 new jobs and retain 836 more. The total economic impact across the projects is $156 million.

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Five solar projects in Genesee County slated for public hearings

Genesee County officials have agreed to hold public hearings soon on a national solar power company’s proposal to locate five solar arrays in the towns of Batavia and Pembroke. 

Borrego Solar is looking for $2.5 million in tax abatements on the properties over 15 years, but would pay more than $2 million in lieu of taxes to the towns and three school districts in which the projects fall. 

Borrego is based in California and has a large regional office for the Northeast in Lowell, Mass. It has developed solar projects around the country, with one of the closest in Seneca, Ontario County, where an array supplies power for Ithaca College 40 miles away. 

These five proposed projects would supply power for subscribers. 

Jim Krencik with the Genesee County Economic Development Center said dates for the public hearings would most likely be set next week and take place later this month. The economic development center’s board agreed to move ahead at its meeting Thursday night. 

Three solar arrays would be located in the town of Batavia at:

  • 5230 Batavia-Stafford Townline Road in Elba Central School District.
  • 3104 West Main Street Road in Pembroke Central School District
  • 3232 West Main Street Road in Pembroke’s district

Two others would be located in the town of Pembroke and Akron Central School District:

  • 241 Knapp Road East 
  • 241 Knapp Road West

The quintet of solar arrays would generate 26 megawatts of energy and $2.092 million in revenue for the towns and school districts in which they lay. The economic development center also negotiated a $25,000 contribution from the projects that will be dedicated to STEM education and related economic development, Krencik said. 

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CountryMax opens in Batavia again

CountryMax has opened its new store in Batavia, one of 17 stores operated by the family business that began in Farmington.

The 23,000-square-foot store has scheduled a grand opening celebration May 18 and 19, but doors opened Thursday for shoppers.

CountryMax is open now in Batavia. Photo supplied.
CountryMax is open now in Batavia. Photo supplied.

The store replaces a smaller store just east of the city of Batavia, which the family-owned company closed in February when its 10-year-lease ran out. The new store is larger and located in the heart of a commercial district on the northwest side of Batavia.

A former OfficeMax store, the location has been remodeled to feature the peaked barn exterior that is a signature element of CountryMax stores, and include wooden fixtures and other lodge-like elements.

Besides a range of pet and farm animal food and supplies, the new store offers self-serve pet-washing stations, a fish room, lawn and garden supplies, gifts, novelty items and a range of do-it-yourself products for making beer, wine, cider and cheese.

“I think anyone who shopped with us in the past knows we have a huge, unique selection of products that fits the Batavia area,” said Brad Payne, director of sales, “and they are going to be thrilled to see the amount of time, effort, and work that has gone into creating the new CountryMax store experience.”

The company marks its 35th anniversary this year.

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Alpina closes Batavia manufacturing facility

Alpina Foods Inc. on Friday abruptly shuttered its Batavia facility, citing the loss of a co-packaging contract.

Alpina Foods Inc. on Friday abruptly shuttered its Batavia facility, citing the loss of a co-packaging contract.
Alpina Foods Inc.

The company has not released a statement and a call to the facility was unanswered, but the Genesee County Economic Development Center confirmed the closure. Alpina also did not file a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification with the state Department of Labor. GCEDC spokesman Jim Krencik said the company employed roughly 35 people.

“While this is extremely disappointing news, the GCEDC will be diligent in marketing and promoting the facility to other agricultural businesses,” GCEDC officials said in a statement. “This was similar to our approach in marketing and promoting a former yogurt manufacturing site, which resulted in bringing HP Hood to our community, and with it, further economic investment and eventually the hiring of hundreds of employees.”

In 2017, HP Hood LLC announced plans to occupy the former Dairy Farmers of America plant in the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park in Batavia, with the intent to invest more than $200 million over several years and create 230 jobs over five years. The facility previously had been occupied by Muller Quaker Dairy LLC.

In 2012, PepsiCo Inc., the world’s second-largest snack and beverage company, and Theo Muller Gmbh, Germany’s largest privately owned dairy business, announced they would open a joint venture in the Batavia Agri-Business Park. The deal, worth more than $200 million, was to have created 186 local jobs.

Muller Quaker Dairy LLC opened its 363,000-square-foot facility for producing Greek yogurt the following year. Slated to produce roughly 122,000 yogurt cups an hour, the facility was one of the largest yogurt producers nationwide. In December 2015 Muller Quaker closed the plant, leaving 200 people without jobs.

Alpina opened its $20 million, 40,000-square-foot plant in the park in 2011. In 2014, the company laid off some 32 workers, more than half its staff, as a result of a contract loss. By 2016, Alpina was growing again and had planned a $1.1 million expansion project at the Batavia site. Alpina produced yogurt at the Batavia plant.

The business was to receive a more than $15,000 sales tax exemption and property tax exemption of nearly $63,000 through the GCEDC. The 3,200-square-foot expansion was expected to create four jobs and retain 23.

GCEDC officials said they would work with public and private sector partners to assist displaced workers following Friday’s closure. In addition to HP Hood, the Genesee Valley Ag Park houses Marktec Products Inc., which provides marking and labeling products, as well as packaging solutions for a number of industries including food processing.

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CountryMax to return to Batavia

CountryMax, the Ontario-county based chain of pet, farm and garden stores, is planning to return to Batavia in Spring 2019.

The family owned company had operated a store in Batavia for 17 years, but closed in February, citing the inability to make the store viable. The business’ 10-year lease was also ending.

The new location at 4160 Veterans Memorial Drive formerly housed an OfficeMax store and most recently a Spirit Halloween store. Unlike the previous locations on East Main Street, the new store will be surrounded by retail stores and will be 9,000 square feet larger.

The move follows the company’s strategy over the last decade or so of building larger stores while maintaining the feel of a feed store. The Batavia store will be among the largest CountryMax stores, at 23,000 square feet.  Plans call for making the former big box store resemble a barn with a wood façade, covered porches and gable roof over the entryway.

The Batavia store will be the 17th in the chain, which began 34 years ago as an Agway store in Farmington, Ontario County.

“We were extremely disappointed when we shut our doors in our previous Batavia location, because we knew that our customers in Batavia were so loyal in a location that did not fully showcase what we have developed our stores to be over the years,” said Brad Payne, director of sales for CountryMax.

“Once we found the right opportunity, it was really just a decision on our part to give the Batavia community the true CountryMax experience that we have been working on in our new locations. I think anyone who shopped with us in the past knows we have a huge, unique selection of products that fits the Batavia area, and they are going to be thrilled to see the amount of time, effort, and work that goes into creating the new CountryMax store experience,” Payne said.

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Creativity topic of business conference at GCC Nov. 14

Genesee Community College is looking for some business people who could use a creativity boost.

The college’s Business and Commerce Department is holding its annual Creativity Conference Nov. 14 at the Batavia Campus. The keynote speaker is Trace R. George, owner of VSP Graphic Group from Buffalo, George is a 1993 alumnus who provides branding graphics for the Buffalo Bills and other major-league and minor-league teams. He spoke at a previous creativity conference during breakout workshops.

In addition, participants may choose to attend workshops on a variety of topics related to growing business by using creativity. The event costs $39 to attend and that includes a continental breakfast and lunch. The conference is aimed at business owners, employees and the public. Registrations ahead of time are encouraged and can be made by contacting Lina LaMattina, director of business programs, at (585) 343-0055, ext. 6319, or at [email protected].

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Batavia manufacturer closes one week after announcing it would stay open

P.W. Minor LLC, which closed its doors Oct. 5, manufactured orthopedic and diabetic athletic, dress and casual shoes.
P.W. Minor LLC, which closed its doors Oct. 5, manufactured orthopedic and diabetic athletic, dress and casual shoes.

One week after announcing it would lay off dozens but remain open, Batavia shoe manufacturer P.W. Minor LLC shut its doors on Friday.

The company on Sept. 24 filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification with the state Department of Labor noting a possible plant layoff or closing that would affect 42 to 82 of its staffers. On Sept. 28, the footwear manufacturer confirmed it would close its Goodyear welt manufacturing line as part of a business operation restructuring that will focus on the company’s core market.

But on Oct. 5, P.W. Minor amended its WARN filing, stating that the 150-year-old Genesee County firm was closing its plant that day, putting 82 people out of jobs. Several calls to the company Oct. 5 were unanswered, as was an email to Brian Benedict, P.W. Minor vice president of sales.

“Our focus through this entire process has been on our employees’ well-being. We want to thank them for their dedication, loyalty and hard work,” CEO Hundley Elliotte said in a news release Sept. 28. “We would also like to thank the New York State Department of Labor, the Genesee County Workforce Development Board and the local business community for their responsiveness and offers to help get our affected employees back to work as soon as possible. When the time is appropriate in our business cycle, we will re-engage our Goodyear Welt manufacturing capabilities.”

P.W. Minor was acquired in February by Tidewater + Associates, an investment firm with offices in Delaware and California. P.W. Minor CEO Peter Zeliff transitioned to the board, while Elliotte, a member of Tidewater’s leadership team, stepped in as managing CEO.

“As an organization, Tidewater + Associates charter is to ‘Grow Good’,” Elliotte said when the acquisition was finalized. “We believe there are significant opportunities to scale P.W. Minor’s social and environmental benefits through its current core brands and to embark on new brand developments. The organization’s legacy of craftsmanship and capabilities to deliver product sustainably can be leveraged to expand and grow the brand base. There is extraordinary potential to create comfortable and protective product while also being a champion for sustainability in the footwear world.”

P.W. Minor was founded in 1867 by brothers Peter and Abram Minor, who had returned from the Civil War with the knowledge of how important well-made shoes were. Minor Brothers Boots and Shoes was located in Interlaken, Seneca County, and moved to Springville, Erie County, prior to the turn of the century.

A second location in Batavia opened during the 1890s. During the decades that followed, P.W. Minor continued to expand its shoe lines and product offerings. By the 2000s, P.W. Minor had expanded its production to Asia.

The shoe company, which had been led through the years by five generations of Minor family members, was shaken by the 2008 recession and production fell. Zeliff purchased the company out of bankruptcy in 2014.

In an attempt to turn the company around, Zeliff brought back all off-shore manufacturing to Batavia, and the company in 2016 rebranded and began selling its first new shoe in several years, the Airloft Collection.

P.W. Minor was the second oldest footwear manufacturer in the U.S. and the maker of orthopedic and diabetic athletic, dress and casual shoes.

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Batavia shoe manufacturer to lay off 45, will keep facility open

Batavia's P.W. Minor manufactures orthopedic and diabetic athletic, dress and casual shoes.
Batavia’s P.W. Minor manufactures orthopedic and diabetic athletic, dress and casual shoes.

A 150-year-old Batavia shoe manufacturer plans to idle one of its product lines, resulting in 45 layoffs.

P.W. Minor LLC on Sept. 24 filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification with the state Department of Labor noting a possible plant layoff or closing that would affect 42 to 82 of its staffers. On Friday, the footwear manufacturer confirmed it would shutter its Goodyear welt manufacturing line as part of a business operation restructuring that will focus on the company’s core market.

A Goodyear welt is a strip of leather, rubber or plastic that runs along the perimeter of a shoe outsole.

“Our focus through this entire process has been on our employees’ well-being. We want to thank them for their dedication, loyalty and hard work,” CEO Hundley Elliotte said. “We would also like to thank the New York State Department of Labor, the Genesee County Workforce Development Board and the local business community for their responsiveness and offers to help get our affected employees back to work as soon as possible. When the time is appropriate in our business cycle, we will re-engage our Goodyear Welt manufacturing capabilities.”

The decision to idle the line will allow the manufacturer to focus its attention on its existing American made orthopedic and diabetic product lines, as the market for that type of footwear is growing globally. The orthopedic and diabetic lines will continue to be manufactured in Batavia, officials said Friday.

The company will retain 40 employees, said Brian Benedict, P.W. Minor vice president of sales.

P.W. Minor was acquired in February by Tidewater + Associates, an investment firm with offices in Delaware and California. P.W. Minor CEO Peter Zeliff transitioned to the board, while Elliotte, a member of Tidewater’s leadership team, stepped in as managing CEO.

“As an organization, Tidewater + Associates charter is to ‘Grow Good’,” Elliotte said when the acquisition was finalized. “We believe there are significant opportunities to scale P.W. Minor’s social and environmental benefits through its current core brands and to embark on new brand developments. The organization’s legacy of craftsmanship and capabilities to deliver product sustainably can be leveraged to expand and grow the brand base. There is extraordinary potential to create comfortable and protective product while also being a champion for sustainability in the footwear world.”

Genesee County Economic Development Council President and CEO Steve Hyde said that like others across the community, GCEDC was concerned by reports early this week that the manufacturer was considering the closing of its Batavia operations.

“The announcement made by the company today gives the entire community a mission to assist those who have lost their jobs, and the GCEDC is supportive of the Genesee County Workforce Development Board as it works to help those workers,” Hyde said. “P.W. Minor and generations of workers have created a legacy with each pair of high-quality footwear produced in Genesee County. The GCEDC is prepared to assist in any way we can to help the company sustain its operations here.”

P.W. Minor was founded in 1867 by brothers Peter and Abram Minor, who had returned from the Civil War with the knowledge of how important well-made shoes were. Minor Brothers Boots and Shoes was located in Interlaken, Seneca County, and moved to Springville, Erie County, prior to the turn of the century.

A second location in Batavia was opened during the 1890s. During the decades that followed, P.W. Minor continued to expand its shoe lines and product offerings. By the 2000s, P.W. Minor had expanded its production to Asia.

The shoe company, which had been led through the years by five generations of Minor family members, was shaken by the 2008 recession and production fell. Zeliff purchased the company out of bankruptcy in 2014.

In an attempt to turn the company around, Zeliff brought back all off-shore manufacturing to Batavia, and the company in 2016 rebranded and began selling its first new shoe in several years, the Airloft Collection.

“We have made significant progress turning this business around. I now feel that it is the right time to step away from my day to day involvement and I’m extremely confident in Tidewater’s ability to guide this business to the next level of success,” Zeliff said in February when it was announced he had sold the company.

P.W. Minor is the second oldest footwear manufacturer in the U.S. and the maker of orthopedic and diabetic athletic, dress and casual shoes.

“We do anticipate bringing the line back at some point, but that time line has not been established,” Benedict said. “We’re still working through the details of the restructure at this point.”

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