Local leaders declare Niagara Airport park 'shovel ready'

A joint state-county-local effort aimed at spurring economic development passed a major milestone Sept. 27, when New York state economic development officials deemed more than 200 acres of prime development property north of the Niagara Falls International Airport “shovel-ready.”

Empire State Development and the Niagara County Center for Economic Development announced the Niagara Airport Commercial Park in the Town of Niagara has been designated “shovel ready” through New York State’s Shovel Ready Certification Program. The 216-acre site, located directly adjacent to Niagara Falls International Airport, is now pre-qualified for future development as a home of high-technology manufacturing businesses and/or computer data management centers.

By accomplishing shovel ready certification for this site in Niagara County, the potential to attract developers and/or business interest is increased substantially, and the time to complete any project is significantly reduced.

“We congratulate the Niagara County Center for Economic Development for achieving Shovel Ready certification on this strategic piece of property,” said Empire State Development Regional President Sam Hoyt. “The program, under Gov. Cuomo’s leadership, continues to be a key tool to help local communities attract substantial private-sector investment and create jobs. By pre-permitting this site, the county will now have a competitive edge in attracting new business which, in turn, will promote future growth in Niagara County.”

Also on-hand Sept. 27, were state leaders who had been closely monitoring the site’s progress since late 2006, when county economic development officials made the decision to pursue a grant offered by National Grid to develop the site.

“Providing shovel-ready sites in Niagara County goes a long way in attracting businesses and developers to this area,” said Sen. George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane. “We have seen how the Niagara Falls Airport has positively impacted this area, and to join that success with the adjacent shovel-ready site will once again provide the county with a competitive edge. I applaud the Niagara County Center for Economic Development for achieving shovel-ready certification.”

As part of ESD’s Shovel Ready Certification Program, sites are designated for use under one of three possible development profiles (Multi-Business and Technology Park; High Technology Manufacturing; or Warehouse/Distribution/Logistics Center) and evaluated for that use by representatives of ESD, the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Transportation, Historic Preservation Office, Department of Agriculture and Markets and the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers.

Having an economic development site certified as a “Shovel Ready Site” means that the local developer has worked proactively with the state to address major permitting issues prior to a business expressing interest in the location. This advance work creates a site where construction can begin rapidly, once a prospective business decides to develop a facility there. By reducing the time it takes a company to begin construction of a new facility, New York State and its local partners are able to provide valuable savings to the business as well as job opportunities for local residents. Large and highly visible signs are provided by New York’s Thruway Authority to help promote the availability of a site.

The 216-acre parcel is owned by SGL Equities. SGL also provided financial support for the effort to secure Shovel Ready certification.

National Grid provided a $39,500 grant from its Strategic Economic Development Outreach program to Buffalo Niagara Enterprise on behalf of SGL Equities, to accomplish the site review and preparation of the application. Information about National Grid’s economic development programs can be found at www.shovelready.com.

The site is located on the south side of Lockport Road between Haseley Drive and Tuscarora Road in the Town of Niagara.

For more information on the site, contact Andrea Klyczek, director of marketing for the Niagara County Industrial Agency, at 278-8750.