Economic projects continue in Yates

PENN YAN—The meeting of the board of directors of the Finger Lakes Economic Development Center (FLEDC) meeting Wednesday, Dec. 15 detailed some of the current business activity.
As the year drew to a close, Finger Lakes Economic Development Center executive director Steve Griffin spoke about the year. In 2010, there were 38 approved projects, triple what was done in the past. There were 10 Entrepreneur/Agriculture loans. Griffin said, “We are starting to be able to see some growth.” Griffin referred to renovations at the former Garrett Winery building in Penn Yan and the new Magnus Ridge Winery as examples of growth this year. Griffin said, “You will see structures going up. It’s going well and is very exciting.”
A loan of $100,000 for expansion of the Best Western in Penn Yan was one of the items approved during the meeting. The expansion project will add 14 rooms to the existing facility at the corner of Lake and Brown Streets in Penn Yan. Over 7,000 square feet are to be added. Total project cost is $750,000.
In other business:
The Cluster Pines project was announced earlier this fall and will include a brewery and winery. A small amount of square footage will be added to the existing buildings at the corner of Route 14 and Dundee-Glenora Road in the town of Starkey. The $908,000 project is expected to add four fill-time and seven part-time jobs as well as approximately nine seasonal jobs. Griffin said the architectural drawings for the project, “Look great.”
• Approved a project at Horizon Business Park on Route 14A south of Penn Yan. Local business, Java Gourmet is planning a building of approximately 6,000 square feet on a 1.6 acre parcel at the site. Over the next three years, the company plans to add six full time employees. Java Gourmet produces coffees, rubs and marinades, all with a coffee base.
• The board of directors approved a contribution of $760 to the Penn Yan Academy and Dundee Central School YEA! programs. This is the second year of the program that teaches high school students how to start a business.
• Approved an amendment to Reds Hots current loan to interest only for the first quarter of 2011. The year-old restaurant in the town of Starkey is planning to add a drive through and more signage.
• The board of directors approved sending $500 to New York state in response to a tax the state has imposed. The amount of the assess, from New York State for the Yates County organization was $28,800. Griffin called it a “revenue tax.”