Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The area around the casino looks like a 3rd world city. Whenever I went I parked in the casino and went inside and NEVER ventured anywhere else lest I get mugged. We had a business downtown in the late 1950's before it went to pieces. The downtown was actually nice.
Re: the third link, there's a plan made by the city of NF to put some sort of musical performance space/general gathering area over on John Daly Blvd there. I read about the plan in the Buffalo News sometime early this summer, but I'd have to Google to jog my memory about specifics. And knowing NF, it's not exactly a guarantee that the plan comes to fruition, anyway.
I think the article I posted is a really big deal. Niagara Falls needs all the help it can get.
Your article is from 2015. I knew it was old when I saw that Dyster was being interviewed in his former capacity as the mayor. That said, I think your article does relate to my previous comment--I believe NF is resorting to eminent domain to seize some of Milstein's long-vacant, undeveloped land...and the project I alluded to in the prior post is supposed to go on an expanse of that 'seized' land, IIRC.
Your article is from 2015. I knew it was old when I saw that Dyster was being interviewed in his former capacity as the mayor. That said, I think your article does relate to my previous comment--I believe NF is resorting to eminent domain to seize some of Milstein's long-vacant, undeveloped land...and the project I alluded to in the prior post is supposed to go on an expanse of that 'seized' land, IIRC.
The eminent domain was what I was referring to as being a big deal
"A Pennsylvania company whose Wheatfield plant specializes in high-precision electronic resistance materials for microchip fabrication plans to invest more than $8.2 million in new technology and automated equipment in an expansion expected to create 40 jobs over three years.
Vishay Dale Electronics, a subsidiary of Vishay Intertechnology of Malvern, Pa., wants to construct a 10,000-square-foot addition to its existing plant at 2160 Liberty Drive, in the first phase of a multi-year expansion effort.
The company is asking the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency for over $1 million in property and sales tax breaks.
Founded in 1978 in Niagara Falls as Ohmtek, the company produces technology for advanced processes in “precision resistive products.” Following its acquisition by Vishay in 1988, it changed its name to Vishay Thin Film.
It’s asking for $449,790 in property tax breaks through a 15-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement and $560,000 in sales tax breaks. In exchange, it plans to create 40 production, management and administrative jobs over three years, paying an average of $48,000 a year, on top of retaining its current 220 positions.
“It’s a pretty big project for us, and we appreciate the help you’ve given us,” Donahue told the NCIDA board. “It’s an exciting project, and to have the expansion in New York is pretty good for us.”
The Vishay electronics division, which is based in Columbus, Neb., operates manufacturing plants in Nebraska, Milwaukee, Mexico and Israel, while its parent company has facilities in 20 countries. Operating costs are lower in Nebraska, Donahue said, but it’s in a small town in a rural area more than an hour from Omaha, “so it’s hard for them to attract applicants.”
“It’s more attractive here, with the population of both Niagara County and Erie County as well,” Donahue said. “Attracting labor to that area has become difficult. There’s not much out there.”The NCIDA will consider the tax breaks next month, after a public hearing on Nov. 28. "
Also just outside of the city...
"Greenhouse gets subsidies
The agency also backed $6.82 million in tax breaks for a proposed 25-acre greenhouse and 100,000-square-foot warehouse that a Northern Farms subsidiary, in partnership with Netafim and Orbia, wants to build at 5222 Junction Road in Cambria, after they remediate the site.
The facility would be used to grow strawberries or other fruits and vegetables year-round, to supply the northeastern United States.
The site is a contaminated property that has been vacant for over 20 years, with more than $600,000 in back taxes owed to the county.
The $95 million project is expected to create 63 jobs within three years, paying $51,000 per job.
Finally, the agency agreed to boost its previously approved sales tax exemption for DRC Development’s project at 6416 Inducon Drive, to add a 36,000-square-foot warehouse for Atlas Copco’s Edwards Vacuum, which currently has a 64,000-square-foot facility. The exemption had been set at $115,000, but DRC’s David R. Chamberlain sought and received an increase to $150,000, citing “cost increases and additional work requested by our tenant.”
“Recently, we’ve had an onslaught of projects coming back during the construction phase because of rising costs,” said NCIDA counsel Mark Gabriele. “This is no exception.”
NCIDA also approved a pair of $25,000 micro-enterprise grants for:
- Elizabeth DeSilva’s Niagara Outfitters, which offers rentals for kayaking, paddleboarding, biking, e-biking, hiking and fishing activities for individuals and groups, from five locations in Niagara County. The firm plans to add a retail store and rental location in Wilson Tuscarora State Park in Wilson, with the addition of guided tours
- Happy Tails of Niagara, which plans to start offering pet daycare, boarding and basic grooming services for dogs, cats and birds, from a new location on Military Road in the Town of Niagara. There is no similar operation in the northern part of the county."
Should have and has are a world apart. I remember reading that Niagara Falls was to be the "entertainment district" of western NY. With the new stadium in OP, I guess that ship has sailed. i think a huge opportunity was missed. Done right, they could have competed with Las Vegas or New Orleans on a certain level.
Looks like the IDA's are doling out money to keep businesses here. I t would be a lot better if taxes weren't so high that massive subsidies are needed just to retain businesses. Companies are not stupid they know that the public spigot is just waiting to be opened.
Looks like the IDA's are doling out money to keep businesses here. I t would be a lot better if taxes weren't so high that massive subsidies are needed just to retain businesses. Companies are not stupid they know that the public spigot is just waiting to be opened.
Actually, it looks like there is an expansion of one company, with another on the way, from what the article states.
"The state is offering grants of up to $100,000 for small businesses in Niagara Falls to make improvements, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday.
A total of $5 million in grants will be awarded to businesses along Pine Avenue, Main Street and Portage Road through the Niagara Falls Small Business Property Improvement Program. The program is part of a $40 million revitalization effort for Niagara Falls and a $300 million revitalization initiative that also includes Buffalo and Rochester.
The Niagara Falls small-business program will provide grants that cover up to 50% of total project costs, up to $100,000 per property, to eligible small businesses. The grants can be used for commercial improvements such as facade restoration and other mixed-use building upgrades.
The program is funded through the Regional Revitalization Partnership, a $300 million collaborative initiative between Empire State Development, local municipalities and private philanthropic partners including the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, the Farash Foundation, ESL, KeyBank/First Niagara Foundation and M&T Bank.
“Thanks to a public-private partnership with the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation and other private funders, we are taking a collaborative approach to bolster the key commercial corridors in Niagara Falls,” Hochul said.
“These small business grants will help to continue the steady revitalization of downtown Niagara Falls by improving the business climate, increasing mixed-use opportunities, and breathing life into empty storefronts,” she said in a statement.
The small-business grants are being administered by the NFC Development Corp., while a subsidiary of Empire State Development will target downtown tourism projects including hotels and the redevelopment of the former Rainbow Centre Mall.
The total state investment for this program is $3 million, with philanthropic and corporate entities committing to contribute the remaining $2 million.
Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino said the small-business improvement program “will help deliver a community-driven economic transformation that will not only revitalize businesses but will build a brighter and equitable future.”
Potential grant applicants and interested parties can find the NFC application and guidelines at niagarafallsusa.org. https://niagarafallsusa.org/niagara-falls-small-business-property-improvement-program/"
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
