Amy's Kitchen to invest $90 million to build 350,000 s/f organic food manufacturing facility in Goshen; Expected to create 681 permanent jobs

Amy's Kitchen, one of the world leaders in the production of natural and organic convenience foods, has closed on the purchase of 200 acres in the town of Goshen and will develop a $90-million, 350,000 s/f organic food-manufacturing plant at the site. The project will create hundreds of construction jobs and is expected to produce 681 permanent jobs once the production plant, located between Echo Lake Rd. and 17M, is operational. The land sale transaction was revealed by the governor's office. The Orange County Partnership, which helped facilitate the company's investment in Goshen, worked side-by-side with the Orange County executive's office, the Orange County Industrial Development Agency, Empire State Development Corp., Hudson Valley Economic Development and other county and municipal agencies. The Santa Rosa, CA-based firm selected the Goshen site over competing properties in other states. The transaction bolsters the emerging agribusiness sector in Orange County that has seen a total of $150 million in combined investment in the last year and the creation of well in excess of 1,000 new jobs. "Amy's Kitchen's significant investment in Orange County would not be possible without the hard work, dedication and team effort by the Orange County IDA, New York State, and Orange County executive Steve Neuhaus," said Orange County Partnership president Maureen Halahan. "To bring one of the world's most recognized natural and organic food producers to the Town of Goshen is a major coup for Orange County." Incentives granted to Amy's Kitchen include a 15-year PILOT agreement from the Orange County Industrial Development Agency that includes a $4.5 million property tax abatement, $420,000 in mortgage tax exemptions and $6.5 million in sales and use tax exemptions. The IDA also awarded $500,000 for required infrastructure enhancements. Empire State Development has awarded $800,000 towards infrastructure enhancements that will help cover some of the costs involved in constructing a $1.7-million access road. Amy's Kitchen will fund the remaining cost of the infrastructure improvements necessary at the site. Amy's Kitchen, a privately-held, family-run company that employs 1,900 workers, plans to break ground on the project in late 2014 or in early 2015 and expects to have the new plant operational by the end of 2015. The company, now celebrating its 25th year in business, was founded by Andy and Rachel Berliner and named after their daughter Amy. The company has experienced double-digit growth every year since its inception. As of 2013, Amy's Kitchen makes more than 250 organic products ranging from an international array of frozen entrees, burritos, wraps and bowls, to soups, beans, salsa and pasta sauce, as well as sweets, including cakes, cookies and candy bars. "Today's announcement represents the culmination of hard work and steady collaboration between the Governor's office, my staff, our friends at the Partnership and IDA, Goshen officials, and, of course, the Amy's Kitchen team. Amy's Kitchen will bring jobs and new economic opportunities to Orange County, and the fact that this world-class natural foods company chose Goshen for its new manufacturing site is a testament to our county's economic competitiveness, skilled workforce, and top-notch quality of life," said County Executive Steve Neuhaus. "The Orange County Industrial Development Agency is proud to have played a part in bringing Amy's Kitchen to Goshen. We're excited for the opportunities Amy's will offer Orange County, and worked closely with our partners in the County Executive's office, the Orange County Partnership and ESD to ensure Amy's found a home here. But mostly, we're excited for what this means to the local work force and community: With this project comes hundreds of jobs with a company that promises stability and growth. We couldn't be happier that the IDA was able to help make this happen."