Грант в $1 млн приближает к реконструкции заброшенный завод Beech-Nut в Канаджохарии

VILLAGE OF CANAJOHARIE — After more than a decade of dormancy, the former Beech-Nut site moved another step closer to redevelopment through a $1 million state grant. “This $1 million investment is a big step toward bringing the former Beech-Nut site back to life," Montgomery County Executive Pete Vroman said in a statement. "After years of work by the county, the village of Canajoharie and our partners, we’re finally seeing that work turn into real progress." Montgomery County was awarded the funding through the state’s County Infrastructure Grant Program to support infrastructure work that will prepare the 7.3-acre western portion of the site for a more than $30 million mixed-use project planned by Pennrose Development. Two buildings are targeted for construction featuring commercial and community service space on the ground floors with 65 affordable workforce housing units on the upper stories. The two-phase project would create 130 new apartments. “This is exactly how we secure space for low-cost housing and local small businesses while meaningfully investing in the heart of Montgomery County," Sen. Patricia Fahy said in a statement. The $1 million state grant and $4 million in federal funding previously secured by Rep. Elise Stefanik will be used to remove the former building slab and to create a build-ready development pad that is stable and flood resilient. The western half of the site is within a 100-year floodplain and will need to be elevated before new construction. The county contracted LiRo Engineers for $396,302 last month to prepare plans to get the site shovel ready and for the creation of an interpretive walking trail at the rear of the property along the Canajoharie Creek. The trail will be supported by $1.29 million from the $4.5 million NY Forward grant previously awarded to the village of Canajoharie. Site work for both initiatives is planned for next year. “This is about putting a property that was once the center of Canajoharie’s economy back to productive use, bringing people into the community and supporting our downtown,” Vroman said. Pennrose’s building plans will also be supported by $2 million from the village’s NY Forward funding. The county previously authorized a $450,000 purchase and sale agreement with the developer for the western portion of the former Beech-Nut site. A letter of intent was previously authorized for the proposed sale of the 19.6-acre eastern portion of the site to PEMM, LLC for $2.25 million. PEMM is the parent company of Quicklee’s Gas Stations and Convenience Stores. The company plans a travel center at the site. Other commercial spaces are eyed for a grocery store and a 50- to 72-room hotel. The redevelopment and reactivation of the site at Thruway Exit 29 has been a priority since Beech-Nut ceased operations in Canajoharie after building a high-tech plant in the town of Florida in 2011. The company had been in the village since 1891, employing more than 2,000 workers at its height and around 300 workers before its closure. Montgomery County acquired the site in 2017. Around $10 million in public funding has been invested into the remediation and demolition of the former plant.