Ground breaking held for Beech-Nut's $124m manufacturing plant

According to governor David Paterson, the Beech-Nut Nutrition Corp. is breaking ground on a new, 550,000 s/f, "green certified" plant and headquarters in Montgomery County, which will expand New York's manufacturing base, provide good jobs for residents and become a boon for local farmers. Plans for the $124 million, all-natural baby-foods plant were announced last year, and include relocating Beech-Nut's corporate headquarters from Missouri to NYS. The company will employ 356 people, including 135 news jobs, at the new facility. Beech-Nut will also rely on locally-grown food for its products. "With this milestone today, Beech-Nut is beginning a new era in its storied history in upstate New York, and we are delivering on the promises that were made last year," said Paterson. "This new plant represents the kind of cooperative efforts we need to strive for in NYS. In this case, we keep a business that is already here, attract new jobs and encourage the use of home grown foods from our New York farmers. Not only is the company making a commitment to upstate New York, but also to modern, 'green' technologies that will serve well into the future." The company is replacing its aging Canajoharie plant. The 100 year old facility suffered damages during the Mohawk River flooding in June 2006, scrapping prior plans to undertake a more modest equipment upgrade. The flood damages prompted Beech-Nut's decision to construct a new plant that will feature modernized processing equipment. Upstate Empire State Development chairman Daniel Gundersen said, "This is a significant first step towards the Mohawk Valley's economic revitalization. We applaud the leaders of this community for making this project a reality with today's ground-breaking and look forward to Beech-Nut's continued contributions to the region." NYS granted the company the environmental permits necessary to begin construction. In the last year, the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation has worked proactively and cooperatively with the company, achieving a quick turnaround to get the necessary environmental permits, while also ensuring energy and water conservation, water infrastructure upgrades and habitat and wetlands protection. The state collaborated with Beech-Nut to address potential issues upfront in the process, including the toll on the local water system, the loss of wetlands and the loss of habitat for the Northern Harrier, a threatened marsh hawk. Beech-Nut will use modern technology to reduce water consumption by 40% and will tap into the city of Amsterdam's water system to make sure waste-water is treated properly. Plans are for the facility to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified, making it one of the most "green" plants of its kind. The company will also set aside nearly 50 acres for wetlands and habitat mitigation, enough room for the Northern Harrier to continue to thrive in the area, and create green open space around the plant site. Air quality will improve as emissions from the new production facility will be less than those from the production facilities that are being replaced.