Lancaster IDA keeps eye on proposals that impact job growth

[Lee Chowaniec]

Lancaster Bee

The Lancaster Industrial Development Agency, now with a leaner five-member board, and newly reappointed Chair Kevin Lemaster and Vice-Chair Bob Leary, seems ready to take on projects that provide more jobs for local residents.

“The future looks very bright at this point,” said Leary. “We are concentrating on commercial development and expansion in the town.” He added that the IDA is engaged in discussions with JAGG Electrical & Control to be able to afford sales tax credits on the development of a new $7 million building. Leary said that the company’s expansion, once completed, would bring anywhere from 15 to 40 new jobs to Lancaster. Leary says their current application will be addressed at the next IDA Board meeting.

“They [JAGG] fit all of the criteria of dealing with an industrial development agency,” said Leary. “It’s just a huge company that’s involved worldwide in some of the things that they do now. It’s great to see them, local people expanding, and being able to put up another building.”

Leary said the recently approved tax credits on a $2,000,000 Upstate Niagara Cooperative project will also help bring more jobs to Lancaster.
The cooperative, which represents around 260 dairy farms, moved its headquarters to Pleasant View Drive around two years ago. They are currently preparing to upgrade their facility, bringing in more computer equipment, industry-related tech and creating more space for employees to operate. In total, the cooperative will save around $175,000 if they use the full tax benefit.

Currently, the cooperative’s headquarters in Lancaster has around 150 employees. Chuck Wilson, representing the cooperative at a November IDA meeting, said these changes will help bring the estimated total employee count to somewhere between 160 and 200.

Leary reported that the cooperative may be keeping busy in the future as well and bringing future proposals to the IDA. The organization is seeking to create a new trucking hub, with the 80 acres of property on Pleasant View Drive potentially being an apt location. Leary added that they are also seeking new warehousing facility space in Western New York and Lancaster’s industrial corridor near Walden Avenue could possibly house such an operation.

Leary said that another company, Uniland Development Corp., has also expressed interest in developing warehouse space, eyeing property at Pavement Road and Walden Avenue. “We’d love to do something there,” said Leary. “It’s just vacant land right now, but it’s all set to go. You’ve got the driveways coming in right now, so, it’s ready to be developed in that area for commercial development.” He added, “That’s going to have to go before the town board first before anything happens at the IDA.”

Lemaster also made a statement on his reappointment to chair of the Lancaster IDA. “I am honored once again to have been elected as chairman of the Lancaster Industrial Development Agency,” he said. “I look forward to working with the entire LIDA board and its great team, as we pursue opportunities for industrial job growth in Lancaster.”

Comment

Back to the future where Industrial Development Agencies (IDA’s) were established to assist industrial / commercial projects that created jobs and brought multiple spin-off revenues to the town. Last year’s board was controlled by members whose mind-set was that all development was eligible for taxpayer funded tax breaks that too often served the best interest of the project sponsor, not in the best interests of the community.

Anyone listening to the video recordings of Lancaster’s IDA has a clear understanding of the direction this board is taking and the changes it has made to comply with regulations and guidelines. It is dedicated in operating for the best interests of the community, not special interests.

[mark blazejewski]

Last year’s board was controlled by members whose mind-set was that all development was eligible for taxpayer funded tax breaks that too often served the best interest of the project sponsor, not in the best interests of the community.

Anyone listening to the video recordings of Lancaster’s IDA has a clear understanding of the direction this board is taking and the changes it has made to comply with regulations and guidelines. It is dedicated in operating for the best interests of the community, not special interests.

This story appears to cut through the smoke, showmanship, noise, and distractions of the previous board. The Bee 's reporter unambiguously articulates the stated philosophy and goals of the current LIDA Board, which seems dedicated to honoring the will of the resident voters as expressed on election day.