Sherrill, NY Briggs & Stratton Corp. held a grand opening for its newest commercial products manufacturing facility in Oneida County. Due to the company’s commercial market growth, Briggs & Stratton needed a larger facility for production of its Ferris and Snapper Pro brand mowers, originally manufactured in Munnsville, Madison County. This new facility in the Sherrill Industrial Park will accommodate this continued growth into the future and will nearly double the production capacity for Ferris, Snapper, Snapper Pro, Simplicity and some Billy Goat products.
“New York is committed to ensuring that good paying jobs remain in our Upstate communities,” governor Andrew Cuomo said. “By investing in Briggs & Stratton’s expansion, we are helping this successful world-renowned business expand, resulting in the creation of more jobs that are building on the positive progress we continue to see in the Mohawk Valley.”
Briggs & Stratton had been considering its options for expanding its commercial manufacturing footprint within the U.S., and chose to grow in the Mohawk Valley. To assist with job creation and retention, Empire State Development offered up to $1 million in tax credits through the Excelsior Jobs Program for the project in exchange for retaining 500 existing jobs and a commitment of 52 new jobs over ten years and a $1.5 million capital grant to equip the new facility.
Additionally, construction of the $10 million, 552,000 s/f building was supported by a $1.9 million ESD capital grant to ONX3, the developer of Sherrill Industrial Park for construction and renovation costs. Briggs & Stratton has already surpassed their job targets, hiring 100 new employees who will produce its commercial products.
Todd Teske, chairman, president and CEO of Briggs & Stratton Corp. said, “Ferris Industries joined the Briggs & Stratton family in 2004 and since then has grown exponentially; as has the company’s commercial business in total. This new facility in Sherrill will allow for that growth to continue long into the future, and we’re so grateful for the support we’ve received from the state of New York, Oneida County and the city of Sherrill throughout the process.”
Empire State Development acting commissioner and president & CEO-designate Eric Gertler said, “The decision by Briggs & Stratton to remain and grow in Oneida County reflects both the region’s strengths and the state’s strategic commitment to nurturing a business-friendly environment that leads to job creation and retention.”
Oneida County executive, Anthony Picente, Jr. said, “Oneida County has long been a part of the fabric of American manufacturing and with the addition of Briggs & Stratton to Oneida County, we are pleased to continue their proud tradition of manufacturing superior products that are used world-wide and even prouder to say they are built in Sherrill, NY. The addition of Briggs and Stratton to the Mohawk Valley builds on the positive growth we continue to see each day and will surely see well into the future.”
City mayor William Vineall said, “I speak for the community when I say that we could not be more thrilled to welcome Briggs & Stratton to Sherrill. This company will bring with it much needed opportunities and improve the quality of life in our city and we look forward to a productive partnership in the future.”
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