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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

State Incentives Assist Woodcock Brothers Brewing Expansion in North Tonawanda, New York

08/27/2018
Woodcock Brothers Brewing Company plans to expand its operations and open a craft brewery and restaurant North Tonawanda, New York.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said a $516,000 New York State Community Development Block Grant award to the City of North Tonawanda will allow Woodcock Brothers Brewing Company to expand operations and open a craft brewery and restaurant.

Empire State Development is offering additional support of up to $110,000 in performance-based Excelsior Tax Credits, which are directly tied to job creation commitments. Demand for the company's products has exceeded production capacity of its existing facility in Wilson. The awards will assist the company in expanding production and continuing the transformation of the iconic Wurlitzer Building, a former organ factory at the gateway to Niagara Falls, into a tourist destination. The company will create 35 full-time jobs over two years, 26 of which will benefit low to moderate-income workers.

The CDBG award will allow the company to lease and renovate approximately 5,500 square feet of the Wurlitzer Building to create a restaurant with a kitchen, a bar, a brew floor, an outdoor patio, and seating for 120 patrons. Specifically, the grant will assist with leasehold improvements, brewing equipment, furniture and fixtures, design and planning, inventory, employee training and other working capital expenses.

Tim Woodcock, President of Woodcock Brothers Brewery, said, "All of us at WBBC are very excited about the new location at the Wurlitzer. The new location will be very similar to the main facility in Wilson. Brewing operations will be fully visible to the public. Our families grew up in Niagara county and we have strong ties to the history of the Wurlitzer factory building. We couldn't be more excited about our role in the next evolution of the historic building and we are so grateful for the amazing local support we've experienced from the communities of the Niagara Region.”

"New York's booming craft brewery industry is an exciting part of our economy, and this investment will deliver stronger, more sustainable economic development for North Tonawanda," Governor Andrew Cuomo said. "With the opening of this new location, Woodcock Brothers Brewing Company will spur job growth in the city while also contributing to New York's thriving tourism sector."

"With state economic development funding, the Woodcock Brothers Brewing Company will expand operations in North Tonawanda creating new job opportunities in the area," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "The company's new craft brewery and restaurant will revitalize a vacant building and allow the local producer to increase production. Investments in local projects are allowing communities across New York to transform buildings and pursue developments to attract visitors and boost the economy."

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