TimberFish Technologies will invest $555,000 to open its high-tech fish production facility on Lake Erie, 62.6 miles west of Buffalo, in Westfield, New York.

As an incentive the company will utilize Empire State Development's grant of $100,000 to build a treatment-production system at the Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing facility, located at 8398 West Main Street in Westfield. TimberFish, a WNY Regional Economic Development priority project, will grow fish by reusing all the byproduct nutrients from the distillery and brewery production at the site combined with locally produced wood chips. This will help to create nutrient rich seafood, bio-energy feed stocks and clean water.

Wastewater from the distillery will be pumped through pipes into a tank that will clean the water to be used in the growth tanks. The unit will be able to produce approximately 20,000 pounds per year of high quality fish, such as Speckled Trout, Arctic Char and Atlantic Salmon, that will be sold at local markets.

Founder of TimberFish Technologies Jere Northrop said, "Environmental pollution and rising populations threaten our future food supply and safety. TimberFish solves this problem by ecologically and sustainably producing seafood from nonagricultural land in a manner that is economically competitive in today's marketplace."

"TimberFish Technologies is yet another example of the many innovative and groundbreaking companies that have chosen to grow and nurture their business in Western New York," Governor Andrew Cuomo said. "This company's decision to plant their roots in this region will spur the local economy while creating jobs, adding more momentum to Western New York's revitalization."

"The TimberFish project ties together many of our job creation and environmental goals, and is a symbol of the innovation-based economy that is emerging in Western New York," Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said. "This process will result in healthy seafood produced for local markets and reduces the volume of pollutants that could affect water quality in our communities. It's an exciting new approach that we're proud to support through Empire State Development."

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "TimberFish Technologies' unique and innovative process for producing fish is helping to create a new eco-friendly industry, while generating new jobs and economic activity in Western New York."

Western New York Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair and President of SolEpoxy Inc., Jeff Belt said, "The TimberFish project garnered the attention and support of the REDC because it is innovative, environmentally responsible and has the potential to create hundreds of jobs as the business expands. Beer battered fish is popular but fish grown in brewing by products may be a whole new recipe for economic success in Westfield."