G&C Food Distributors and Brokers completes Phase One of expansion

Syracuse, NY According to governor Andrew Cuomo, G&C Food Distributors and Brokers Inc. has completed Phase One of a major expansion and created more than 50 new full-time jobs in Onondaga County. The frozen food distributor is expected to complete Phase Two of the $18 million expansion by summer 2020, bringing the total number of new, full-time jobs created to 85, while more than 230 positions, many of which were at-risk, will be retained thanks to support from the state.

“The expansion of the G&C Food Distributors in Syracuse is a clear example of the economic renaissance that is taking place across the region, as well as this administration’s commitment to helping businesses grow and thrive in New York,” Governor Cuomo said. “This investment is just another reason why Central New York continues to rise.”

As part of Phase One of its expansion plan, G&C purchased the 276,000 s/f facility it was leasing in Onondaga County. This phase also included the purchase and installation of bulk packaging equipment that is able to convert bulk produce into product for commercial sale. The new line resulted in the hiring of 52 new employees who are working in manufacturing, safety compliance and administrative positions. For Phase Two, G&C plans to break ground on a 75,000 s/f addition to the plant in August, with a projected completion date of March of 2018. The addition will facilitate the installation of refrigerated dock and dry space.

G&C Food Distributors and Brokers Inc. president Rich Chapman said, “G&C Foods is excited about what our expansion can bring to the CNY community. Not only will it provide continued success and stability for our current employees, but the creation of jobs will only reinforce our presence to this community and attract talent to the area. G&C takes considerable pride in our Syracuse-based roots.”

Empire State Development president, CEO and commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “This project is what CNY Rising is all about – it’s moving forward on-time, generating dozens of new jobs, retaining hundreds of existing employees, and strengthening the local economy in the process. The governor’s unwavering commitment to Upstate is helping companies like G&C in Central New York take their business to the next level and fueling economic opportunities statewide.”

In order to encourage G&C Food Distributors and Brokers to move forward with its $18 million expansion in the area, Empire State Development has offered up to $1 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits, which are tied to job creation commitments.

This project complements “Central NY Rising,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate economic growth and community development. The state has already invested nearly $3 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, launched 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.

Founded in 1976, G&C Food Distributors is a food service re-distributor of refrigerated, frozen and dry food. They store and deliver over 4,000 food items to meet the needs of customers from Maine to Florida.