Economic center recognizes KanPak

Apr 03, 2017 at 12:39 pm by Observer-Review


Economic center recognizes KanPak ADVERTISEMENT

Economic center recognizes KanPak

PENN YAN-The Finger Lakes Economic Development Center (FLEDC) held its annual award meeting and reception at Anthony Road Wine Company last Friday, March 24.
Each year, the economic group recognizes local businesses and highlights areas of growth for the county and recognized local businesses.
Chief Executive Officer Steve Griffin explained the FLEDC's goal is to be involved with 20 new economic projects per year. This past year they finished with 34. Griffin was enthusiastic about Yates County's overall economic growth, noting employment and wages are trending up.
Guest speaker William Strassburg, vice president of strategic planning at Wegmans, gave a brief presentation about the relationship between Yates County and Wegmans' 92 supermarkets in six states. He said the store sells 20 wines from Yates County. They also use grains and dairy products from the region. He urged Yates County farmers to expand organic growing because 98 percent of these products currently come from California. Demand for them has increased exponentially for over a decade.
Griffin presented this year's community award to KanPak, LLC, a food packaging company in Penn Yan.
KanPak's parent company, Golden State Foods (GSF), acquired the former Emmi Penn Yan facility in 2014. Since that time, the company has continued to grow in Penn Yan.
Griffin stated, "KanPak is [a] fantastic [company] for our community. They started with only 55 employees and have now grown to 197." Griffin said they are the largest manufacturing company in Yates County.
Bryan Bartee, general manager of KanPak, accepted the award for the organization and stated the company plans continued growth in the area.
KanPak was founded in 1965 as a family owned dairy company in Kansas. From the beginning, it led the way in development of aseptic processing that allows deserts, creamers, smoothies and specialty beverages to be stored without refrigeration for over a year. The Penn Yan facility also has yogurt capabilities.
Griffin also presented two additional awards. Jim Long, owner of Longs' Cards and Books, was recognized as a long time member of the economic group board and the Chronicle-Express received the Willie Taaffe Yates Award.

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