Mayor Brown and Steelfields, Ltd. President Gary E. Smith signed a ceremonial title transfer for the property, followed by the Mayor’s presentation of commemorative check to Mr. Smith and Mr. Smith’s presentation of a ceremonial property deed to Mayor Brown.
"Today’s title transfer ceremony between my Administration and Steelfields, Ltd. brings to conclusion a process that signifies the future potential of economic development and job creation in the City of Buffalo," said Mayor Brown. "Since taking office my Administration has added 100 new shovel-ready acres in the nearby Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park, bringing that site up to 225 acres of developable land. These additional 185 acres of shovel-ready land will further strengthen the already significant activity that is occurring in the Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park, which is adjacent to the south of the Steelfields site. With 410 acres of remediated former brownfields, Buffalo now possesses the leading inventory of developable former brownfields among Great Lakes cities - more than Milwaukee, Toledo, Erie or Cleveland."
The Steelfields site is home to the new HydroAir Components Inc. manufacturing facility, which opened in January 2007. The company has invested $8.5 million in their new 160,000 square foot manufacturing facility (which sits on a 31-acre parcel), employing 114 jobs and is expected to grow an additional 200 new jobs.
"This transaction will serve as an incredible opportunity for economic development and job creation within the City of Buffalo, and Steelfields Ltd. is proud to have played a small part in the process," said Gary Smith, president of Steelfields, Ltd. "We salute the Mayor and his administration for their foresight in bringing this project to fruition."
"The City of Buffalo is experiencing a strong period of investment and development activity, which exceeds $4.5 billion in announced projects and the addition of the 185 acres from the Steelfields site will significantly enhance our development capabilities," said Mayor Brown.
The City of Buffalo, through the BUDC, has owned or developed 225 acres in the Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park, which includes the new business homes of Cobey, Inc. ($10 million dollar investment; 70 jobs) and CertainTeed ($12 Million dollar investment; 200 jobs). In addition, Sonwil Industries is investing $13.2 million in a new 300,000 square foot distribution center in the Park and plans to build a second 300,000 square foot distribution center within the next two years.
"The continuing development of the Buffalo Lakeside Commerce Park and the acquisition of these additional 185 acres demonstrates that the City of Buffalo can compete for new development opportunities and that we can attract businesses that bring new jobs and future business growth to Buffalo," said Mayor Brown. "This land is positioned between the largest array of wind turbines in the Great Lakes and what will become the nation's 18th largest bio-fuels renewable energy facility. This corridor that once produced steel for America now is producing renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and high technology. We have the shovel ready land, an abundant supply of Lake Erie water, excellent national and bi-national rail and highway access, and a highly skilled workforce - all site location factors to today's growing companies."
Mayor Brown thanked his partners in the Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corporation, the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation and the Erie County Industrial Development Agency who we have worked closely with the city on brownfield restoration and business development.
It was announced recently that the National Brownfields Association has selected Buffalo, New York for their 2008 Fall regional Conference, which will be held on September 11th and 12th at the Adam’s Mark hotel in Downtown Buffalo. Conference participants will be coming from the Northeastern United States and Southern Ontario.
