Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks announced that the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency (COMIDA) approved incentives for six local economic development projects. 

 

“COMIDA is an important partner when it comes to promoting economic growth, supporting local businesses, and retaining and creating jobs in Monroe County,” said Brooks. “We are proud to support these projects which will bring new investment and new jobs into our community.”

 

The following projects were approved by COMIDA:

 

Harding Enterprises, LLC (Lease/leaseback)

Project Address:             125 Northern Drive

Bob Harding has owned and operated commercial trucking, towing and transportation related companies since 1975. To accommodate growth in his existing businesses, as well as a new parts and service company, Harding will be constructing a new 7,800 square foot facility in the Town of Brighton. The companies currently employ 18 full-time within Monroe County and will be creating 12 new jobs over the next five years. The company seeks approval of JobsPlus based on the local labor and suppliers rule.

 

DePaul Properties, Inc. (Civic Facility Bond)

Project Address:             1931 Buffalo Road

DePaul Properties proposes to refinance its 1994 COMIDA Civic Facility Bond ($4,715,000) originally issued to finance property at 1931 Buffalo Road. New Civic Facility Bond financing ($6,285,000) will be used to renovate 144-168 Mt. Hope Avenue and demolish 108-130 Mt. Hope Avenue.

The facilities at 144-168 Mt. Hope Avenue will house DePaul agencies, to assist individuals with developmental disabilities, alcohol, gambling and drug addictions, and provide a recreation center to those individuals. The $11 million project will impact an existing employee base of 199 full-time employees and result in the creation of 20 full-time jobs within five years of project completion.

 

ACM Medical Laboratory, Inc. (Lease/leaseback)

Project Address:             160 Elmgrove Park

ACM Medical Laboratory, Inc. is a full service medical laboratory located in Gates. ACM currently operates out of a 52,000 square foot facility on 3.3 acres. ACM will be adding 15,500 square feet to the building to accommodate its expanding clinical trials laboratory services. The total project cost is $1.8 million. ACM employs 291 full-time and 56 part-time. ACM will be creating 30 new full-time jobs and 36 part-time over the next five years. The company seeks approval of JobsPlus based on the local labor and suppliers rule.

 

Rochester Riverfront Properties (Lease/leaseback – sales tax and mortgage tax only)

Property Address:          1000 Genesee Street

Rochester Riverfront Properties will be constructing an 80 unit Holiday Staybridge Hotel in Brooks Landing at the intersection of Brooks Avenue and Genesee Street. The hotel is part of a major revitalization project for the Brooks Landing area which includes the hotel, a new restaurant, office, and retail buildings. The 50,000 square foot four-story hotel will be located on 3.5 acres and will include an indoor pool, guest suites, conference rooms, and sport court. Staybridge Suites are part of the Intercontinental Hotel Group which owns Holiday Inn. The hotel is located in an Empire Zone in the City of Rochester. The total project cost is $9.9 million. Sales and mortgage tax exemption are being requested for the project as the project qualifies for the City of Rochester’s 485-E property tax abatement. The hotel expects to create 26 full-time jobs over the next five years. The project qualifies as a tourist destination.  

 

The Bennett Group, Inc. (EquiPlus)

 

The Bennett Group, Inc. (TBG) is a consulting and training firm which specializes in the development and delivery of educational products and services for the mailing industry. TBG is purchasing $121,390 in audio visual related equipment which will be used in its state-of-the-art training facility. TBG has two employees and will be creating one new full-time job. TBG has been approved for a GreatRate on the equipment purchase through the Monroe County Industrial Development Corporation.

 

BVR Construction Company, Inc. (EquiPlus)

BVR Construction Company performs specialized concrete construction, specialty stone masonry and heavy machinery installation and rehabilitation for industrial and municipal projects in Western New York. BVR is applying for a sales tax exemption on the purchase of an $81,100 tractor and lowboy trailer. BVR currently employs 13 full-time and will be creating two new full-time jobs. BVR has been approved for a GreatRate on the equipment purchase through the Monroe County Industrial Development Corporation. 

The EquiPlus program combines the investment incentives of the GreatRate and GreatRebate programs with the sales tax exemptions offered through COMIDA. Companies that receive GreatRate or GreatRebate benefits through MCIDC for the purchase of equipment can receive an additional sales tax exemption on the purchase of that equipment through COMIDA.

 

JobsPlus is a tax abatement program that, in addition to sales tax exemption and/or mortgage tax exemption, provides 90% abatement on increased assessment associated with the project in the first year, decreasing 10% per year for a ten-year period.

 

COMIDA is a not-for-profit, public benefit corporation and governmental agency. Its purpose is to encourage established businesses to expand locally and to attract new industries to the Monroe County area. COMIDA incentives apply toward the purchase of land and construction of new facilities, the expansion of existing buildings, the purchase of new machinery and equipment, as well as the renovation of existing facilities.