Breaking news: We've gotten word this morning that Amphenol, a high-tech manufacturer whose 1200-employee plant in Sidney was heavily damaged in the recent flooding, has decided to remain in Sidney rather than relocate the plant elsewhere. An announcement by the company is expected soon.
Background: Amphenol seeks to relocate Sidney manufacturing plant
Rob Ray, news director at WCDO 101FM in Sidney, shared some details on Amphenol's rebuilding plans with us, which he announced on the radio this morning:
They are building new facilities on property they now own, past the Sidney K-Mart on Delaware Avenue In Sidney. All office and the Manufacturing will locate there on the same side of the road. They also purchased acreage across the street, plans for that have not yet been determined. Plating will stay in present location, and will be barricaded against future flooding. construction 18 to 24 months to complete; weather permitting.
Ray also said that Amphenol's local employment rolls have gotten a boost in the last several weeks, as the company has been calling back employees laid off in the last several years.
Glenn Nealis, director of economic development for Delaware County, said that a recent (and controversial) decision by the town of Sidney to allow the Leatherstocking Gas Company to build a natural gas pipeline through the town was critical in keeping Amphenol in the area.
"The ability to provide them with natural gas was a crucial component of this project. Absolutely," he said.
Nealis also issued a statement:
On behalf of Delaware County and the IDA, we are very excited by Amphenol’s continued commitment to Sidney, the surrounding communities and their highly dedicated workforce. Amphenol is the largest employer in Delaware County and a tremendous asset to the three-county region. Today, by choosing to make the investment necessary to remain and rebuild in Sidney, Amphenol chose the road less traveled.
It has been a truly cooperatively effort working with Empire State Development, the Village of Sidney and many others to meet the long-term needs of Amphenol. In developing the proposal for Amphenol, this office received tremendous assistance from the County Planning Department, DPW and the Soil & Water Conservation District that enabled the County to respond immediately to Amphenol’s concerns and keep Sidney at the forefront of this decision making process.
The Daily Star spoke to Sidney village mayor Andrew Mitviak:
Matviak said Amphenol officials were convinced to stay after the Delaware County Inudustrial Development Authority and the Empire State Development Corp., a state authority, put together an incentive package that will allow it to relocate nearby at a site where its operations would not be threatened by future flooding.
He said several local elected officials - Assemblyman Pete Lopez, R-Schoharie County, Sen. Jon Bonacic, R-Ulster County, and U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, R-Kinderhook -- also worked hard to keep Amphenol in Sidney.
At 1:00pm, Governor Andrew Cuomo's office issued a press release, stating that $20 million in state funding helped convince Amphenol to stay in Sidney:
GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES AMPHENOL AEROSPACE WILL STAY IN DELAWARE COUNTY
State's Assistance to Company Impacted By Floods Will Save Over 1,000 Local Jobs
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that Amphenol Aerospace, a company that had been severely impacted by this summer's flooding, will remain in Sidney, Delaware County, saving over 1,000 local jobs. The company will receive a business assistance and retention package of approximately $20 million from the state. Amphenol Aerospace, a division of Amphenol Corporation, is one of the world's largest manufacturers of interconnect products for the military, commercial aerospace, and industrial markets.
"The summer storms took a terrible toll on New Yorkers as well as the businesses that employ them," Governor Cuomo said. "This should send a message to companies that New York supports its businesses in good times and bad."
In September, significant flooding from Tropical Storm Lee devastated Amphenol's Delaware Avenue facility and the company explored options to move manufacturing to other sites outside New York State. Instead, the company will use funding from the state's incentive package to help relocate its operations from its current facility in Sidney to a new site location nearby.
Funding from the state's $20 million incentive package will be directed to the Delaware County Industrial Development Agency and will help offset the costs associated with site acquisition, building construction, extension of a natural gas line to both the existing facility and new facility, and construction of a levee around the existing plating facility located at 40-60 Delaware Avenue. The Delaware County Industrial Development Agency will facilitate the construction of the levee as well as the new factory in Sidney.
The incentive package is being funded by Empire State Development, Empire State New Market Corporation, and New York State Homes and Community Renewal's Office of Community Renewal.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams said, "One of the major reasons Amphenol chose to stay in the Southern Tier was the region's talented workforce and New York's improved business climate. Under Governor Cuomo's leadership, we will continue to leverage each region's unique strengths to build an economy that encourages business growth and investment."
New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) Commissioner Darryl Towns said, "When partners at every level work together, we make it possible for companies like Amphenol to overcome obstacles and stay in New York State. Amphenol has deep roots in the Southern Tier, is a major part of Delaware County communities, and provides jobs that area families need. With investment from the local, state, and federal government, the company will be able to recover from the recent floods and continue its important role in growing a strong local economy."
New York State Senator John J. Bonacic said, "I want to thank Amphenol for their tremendous commitment to Delaware County. The storms which caused Amphenol's damage were horrible to say the least, but the Amphenol workforce is strong, and that matters most. Amphenol's local management, specifically Gary Anderson has worked hard to make this happen, as has ESDC Commissioner Ken Adams, and the Governor. I was also pleased to help secure funding through the Senate Majority as part of the package to keep Amphenol here. This is great news for our region and a sign that major employers are taking our State's commitment to economic development seriously."
New York State Assemblyman Peter D. Lopez said, "I want to thank the Governor and his team for being so vested in our communities. While the devastation of the storms shook this region with the Governor's help we are restoring hope to the people and ensuring their future. I am so pleased to have worked closely with the administration to help make this possible."
Amphenol Aerospace & Industrial Group Senior Vice President Gary Anderson said, "Thanks to the village, county, state and federal officials and agencies, Amphenol will continue its presence of more than 85 years in Sidney, New York. Thanks also go out to our employees, our suppliers and sister companies for returning operations capability to 100% in record time in support of our customers. The new factory, in a high and dry location, represents the best solution for our customers by both eliminating the flood risk and preserving decades of industry knowledge and expertise resident in our management team and employees. The new facility represents significant continued investment in our employees, capital and economic presence in the Sidney area, and is truly a threshold step in securing the future of Amphenol in Sidney, New York."
Delaware County Industrial Development Agency Director Glenn Nealis said, "On behalf of Delaware County and the IDA, we are very excited by Amphenol's continued commitment to Sidney, the surrounding communities and their dedicated workforce. It has been a truly cooperative effort working with Empire State Development, the Village of Sidney and many others to meet the long-term needs of Amphenol."
Amphenol Aerospace, a division of Amphenol Corporation, is one of the largest manufacturers of interconnect products in the world for the military, commercial aerospace, and industrial markets. Amphenol designs, manufactures, and markets cylindrical and rectangular, electronic, fiber optic, EMI/EMP filter, and a variety of special applications connectors and interconnect systems.
The Watershed Post is awaiting word from an Amphenol spokesperson.
