Cheribundi, Inc., a tart cherry juice producer, will expand its manufacturing operations and move to a new location in Geneva, Ontario County, New York. The company will invest more than $4 million to relocate its facilities to the former Tops Friendly Markets on New York State routes 5 and 20, with plans to create 35 jobs.

Company Vice President Ed Maguire said, “We are so grateful to Governor Cuomo and to the state for all of its support in helping our business grow. That help will go a long way to facilitating our acquisition of the proper equipment and resources we need to make our world class beverage. We are pleased as well to be staying in Geneva and look forward to growing our business here.”

The tart juice company currently houses its headquarters inside the city’s growing Technology Farm. As an incentive, Empire State Development, New York State’s economic development agency, will provide Cheribundi, Inc. with up to $700,000 in grants and performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits in return for job creation commitments.

“Cheribundi’s expansion is great news for the Finger Lakes and another example of the region's economic resurgence,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said. "These new investments by the company are a victory for residents in Geneva and beyond that will plant deeper roots in the community, retain and create more local jobs and repurpose a vacant building."

“The Technology Farm at Cornell Agricultural Park in Geneva, with its focus on biotechnology research, has been instrumental in Cheribundi’s growth and their partnership is a great example of what can be achieved when our top tier universities partner with New York State businesses,” said Howard Zemsky, President/CEO/Commissioner of Empire State Development.

Mike Manakowski, Head of the Ontario County Industrial Development Agency said, “We thank the Governor and the state for all of their help in supporting this beverage manufacturers’ expansion in Ontario County. That help ensured that Cheribundi will continue to grow their sales here and we are so pleased that they are repurposing the empty Tops store in Geneva for this venture, bringing new life to that building.”

State Assemblyman Brian Kolb said, “I am proud to congratulate Cheribundi as the company moves into its new facility in Geneva as part of an expansion plan to meet the growing nationwide demand for tart cherry juice.

Cheribundi’s juice is made from Montemorency tart cherries grown locally by Finger Lakes farmers. Cheribundi started as a small idea but with the help, collaboration and partnership of Cornell University and the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park, the company has grown into a nationwide brand and has seen tremendous success. It quickly expanded from one million dollars in annual sales in 2008 in its first year on the market to 2016 projections of $16 million in sales.Supporting local businesses like Cheribundi by cultivating and encouraging innovation will continue to lead to similar job-creation and growth stories across the state.”