Montreal, Canada-based Ranger Design U.S., a commercial van outfit manufacturer, will invest nearly $3 million to create a new facility in Wayne County, New York, creating 62 new jobs.

Ranger Design will establish a 78,670 square foot facility in the Town of Ontario and purchase new machinery and equipment for its custom van shelving and parts manufacturing operation. The project closely aligns with the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council plan to accelerate job growth by attracting new businesses to the area.

After initially being based in Rochester, Ranger Design chose to expand in Wayne County, because of the region’s positive business climate, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Office said. Ranger Design first tested the U.S. market last year, setting up a small, temporary space with six employees in Rochester. It has now decided to make a Wayne County facility its main manufacturing, final assembly and U.S. distribution center and leave human resources, accounting and engineering/design in Canada.

“The manufacturing industry in Upstate New York continues to be the backbone of the region's economy, and we are doing everything we can to make New York the most attractive state for businesses to grow and expand," Governor Andrew Cuomo said. "Included in this year's budget are several measures intended for this reason—for manufacturers to feel welcomed here in upstate, and this expansion in Wayne County is verification that we are creating jobs and turning the economy around."

Ranger Design U.S. Inc. Vice President Ron Cowie said, “We recognize the value of building our products in America for America. Wayne County and New York State have been the perfect fit for our growth plans.”

Ranger Design qualified for up to $400,000 in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits from Empire State Development, the state’s economic development agency, in return for its proposed investment and job creation commitments. The Wayne County Industrial Development Agency also provided financial support for the project. The county IDA provided the company a loan of $300,000, which helps cover a portion of the costs for the project, along with payment-in-lieu-of-taxes to contain costs.

Empire State Development President/CEO/Commissioner Kenneth Adams said, “Ranger Design U.S. Inc.’s commitment of more than 60 new jobs and private investment in Wayne County is good news for the region’s economy. After testing the U.S. market last year, and finding a great place to build its business, I applaud its decision to expand and make a substantial commitment to New York State.”

Bob McNary, Director of the Wayne County Economic Development Department, said the county, which is located in the Greater Rochester Region, provides a competitive base of operations for Canadian companies that need to sell into the U.S. marketplace.