WHITE PLAINS – (RealEstateRama) — The New York Power Authority Board of Trustees today approved a low-cost hydropower allocation to Roth Industries in Jefferson County that will allow the manufacturer to begin an expansion project at its Watertown facility, creating eight new jobs and $6.7 million in capital investments.
The 27,000-square-foot expansion will allow Roth to add a third work shift to its plant’s operation and better balance the manufacturing loads between its Watertown and Syracuse facilities. Roth produces domestic hot water solar and geothermal heat pumps, radiant floor heating, plumbing systems, and septic, cistern, rainwater collection and oil storage systems and tanks.
Construction is scheduled to begin this fall and be completed by next summer.
The 600 kilowatt hydropower allocation will be provided to Roth under a seven-year contract and is drawn from a block of power from the NYPA St. Lawrence-FDR hydroelectric project known as Preservation Power. In addition to the new jobs, the hydropower will also support the retention of 14 existing positions. The construction project is expected to result in dozens of temporary construction jobs as well.
“The St. Lawrence-FDR power plant offers a significant economic development incentive for manufacturers looking to grow operations in the North Country,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. “Roth’s decision to expand its Watertown facility is great news for the region.”
Under state law, allocations of hydropower to Northern New York businesses from the St. Lawrence facility are for firms in Franklin, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. Preservation Power allocations currently support hundreds of jobs in the North Country.
In addition, NYPA earlier this month provided Roth with a $300,000 loan through the North Country Economic Development Fund, which is administered by the Power Authority and the Development Authority of the North Country.
The $10 million fund was established in 2014 to provide low-cost loans to businesses expanding and creating or retaining jobs in the North Country.
Empire State Development is also providing the manufacturer with $425,000 in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits to assist with the job creation project.
“This investment in Jefferson County will contribute to the state’s expanding manufacturing industry and further cement New York’s status as a national leader in clean and renewable energy,” said ESD President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky.“Working together with our sister agencies, we are proud to support manufacturing companies like Roth Industries and we look forward to the company’s expansion and the creation of jobs in Upstate New York.”
The energy efficiency products produced by Roth help support Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Reforming the Energy Vision, a plan to build a statewide energy system that is clean, resilient and affordable for all New Yorkers. The manufacturer is building a national clean energy business with customers across the U.S., including Sid Harvey Industries on long Island.
About NYPA:
NYPA is the nation’s largest state public power organization, through the operation of its 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. More than 70 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. For more information visit http://www.nypa.gov/and follow us on Twitter @NYPAenergy, Facebook,Instagram, WordPress, and LinkedIn.
About Reforming the Energy Vision:
Under Governor Cuomo’s strategic initiative Reforming the Energy Vision, (REV) New York State spurs clean energy innovation, brings in new investments, improves consumer choice while protecting the environment and energizing New York’s economy. By unleashing innovation, overcoming markets barriers and empowering communities, New York is pioneering a new statewide approach, giving customers greater opportunities for energy savings, local power generation, and enhanced reliability. New Yorkers will benefit by access to a safe, clean and affordable energy infrastructure that creates jobs and provides economic development.
Contact:
Paul DeMichele| Paul.DeMichele (at) nypa (dot) gov | (914) 390-8186
