Area Development
Mayer Bros. Apple Products, a Western New York fruit juice producer, will invest $9 million in operational upgrades to its production facilities, along with instillation of hard cider and bottling lines, which will allow it to retain 200 jobs.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Office said as an incentive the company is receiving electricity at lower costs through the ReCharge NY program. The fruit juice producer's cider mill in West Seneca, New York, which along with another Mayer Bros. facility in nearby Barker, New York, is benefiting from ReCharge NY power, as its cider production ramps up with the apple harvest season.

The RNY program offers up to seven-year contracts for lower-cost power, and reserves at least 350 MW for upstate businesses and institutions, 200 MW for business attraction and expansion, as well as up to 100 MW for not-for-profit organizations.

Garrett Mayer, Mayer Bros, treasurer and general manager, said, "New York State has been a valued partner in its recognition of the benefits we bring to the region, including purchases from area orchards and other expenditures that we make for goods and services. Electricity is one of the key production-cost components for our advanced juice products and bottling lines. That's why we're so appreciative of Governor Cuomo's ReCharge NY program, which provides the long-term certainty of economical, stable electricity rates."

"ReCharge NY is helping businesses across New York State make critical investments and expand their operations," Gov. Cuomo said. "Mayer Bros. is a perfect example of how the state is partnering with the private sector to ensure vital resources such as low-cost electricity are available to fuel economic growth. As New York's economy recovers and jobs start coming back in all corners of the state, we must continue to ensure that affordable, clean power is available for our businesses so they can grow and prosper."

Mayer Bros., the largest selling branded apple juice product in the Western and Central New York market, also benefits from an additional incentive, an allocation of low-cost hydropower from NYPA's Niagara Power Project.

Sam Hoyt, Empire State Development Regional President, said, "The Governor's ReCharge NY program is paying immediate rewards for Western New York businesses, as we see early on with its implementation at Mayer Bros. and other enterprises along the Niagara Frontier. Electricity accounts for a major portion of the operating costs of manufacturing and processing facilities. ReCharge NY lessens those costs to improve their economic efficiency and competitiveness, anchoring their employment rates and providing new opportunities for expansions. It's a win-win for Western New York and New York State."