Dutchland Plastics to expand into 50,000 s/f facility in Canastota; $2.6 million investment complements Empire State Development tax credits, Restore NY grant

Canastota, NY According to governor Andrew Cuomo, one of the country’s leading contract plastics rotomolded product manufacturers, Dutchland Plastics, will expand its operations into a new 50,000 s/f facility in Madison County from its current location in Oneida County. The expansion will facilitate the creation of at least 42 new full-time jobs over the next two years in addition to the 23 positions which will be retained. Construction on the new facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

“The expansion of Dutchland Plastics is a testament of our forward-thinking economic strategy that is transforming the regional economy,” governor Cuomo said. “By incentivizing growth, successful companies are choosing to expand their operations, strengthening the economy, creating good-paying jobs and ensuring that Central New York continues to rise.”

“We are very excited about this expansion,” said Dutchland CEO Randy Herman. “This is a tremendous opportunity and I want to thank governor Cuomo, Madison County Industrial Development Agency executive director Kipp Hicks, and especially Canastota mayor Carla DeShaw, who will be assigning resources to help the Company recruit and train requisite new hires from the local community.”

In order to encourage Dutchland Plastics to expand in Central New York, Empire State Development (ESD) has offered up to $475,000 in performance-based tax credits through its Excelsior Jobs Program, which are tied to job creation commitments. Additionally, ESD has re-allocated a $1.685 million Restore NY grant to the Village of Canastota that will assist with construction of the new facility. The company will invest $2.6 million for capital equipment and to customize the new facility, which will sit along the storied Erie Canal.

ESD president, CEO & commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “Dutchland Plastics decision to continue to grow in Central New York is a tribute to the economic opportunities available here for companies looking to take their business to the next level. Thanks to governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York’s business climate has significantly improved, which is fueling economic opportunities throughout the state.”

John Becker board of supervisors chair for Madison County said, “The decision by Dutchland Plastics to grow their business in Madison County is great news for the community and for the state. We look forward to their continued success and are proud to welcome them to the Village of Canastota.”

Village of Canastota mayor DeShaw said, “We are very excited to welcome Dutchland Plastics to the Village of Canastota. This RESTORE NY project is a great example of remediating and revitalizing an abandoned industrial site and bringing it back to life as a value-added economic property in our community. Through the collaborative efforts and perseverance of the governor’s office, Empire State Development, Madison County IDA, private developer AECC, and the mayor’s office, 45 new jobs will be created in the Village of Canastota. I am very excited about the local career opportunities this project brings to our residents looking to upgrade or obtain a higher paying job. I’d like to thank governor Cuomo for supporting this project.” 

Dutchland Plastics, which is headquartered in Eastern Wisconsin, has been manufacturing high quality plastics products for nearly half a century. As a custom plastics products manufacturer, the company services recreational, commercial, outdoor, food and beverage, furniture and marine industries. The company manufactures cutting-edge products like Yeti coolers, NuCanoe boats, and KI chairs, among others and is the third largest contract rotational molder in the U.S.

Today’s announcement complements “Central NY Rising,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $4.7 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan - capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Syracuse, Oswego and Auburn as a destination to grow and invest in.

Now, the region is accelerating Central NY Rising with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion - and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 5,900 new jobs.