Ortt Secures State Funding in Support of Medina Business Park

MEDINA – Senator Rob Ortt (R,C,I – North Tonawanda) today announced he has secured $76,800 in state funding for the Orleans Economic Development Agency (OEDA) to assist with infrastructure upgrades in the Medina Business Park. The capital funding enabled the OEDA to fast track repairs to the aging infrastructure in the business park, which allowed construction for Pride Pak’s new 68,000 square-foot facility to stay on schedule.

Today, Pride Pak celebrated the grand opening of its state-of-the-art $30 million facility that sits on 13 acres in the Medina Business Park. Pride Pak is the largest fresh fruit and vegetable processor at its Canada-based facility. With its new location in Orleans County, the company is able to help meet the demand of locally-grown food here in the U.S. by partnering with local farmers and maintaining its business relationship with Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.  Pride Pak is expected to create 200 new jobs.   

Senator Ortt said, “We need reliable infrastructure to stimulate the economy, create jobs and attract future businesses, which is why I fought to secure this funding for the Medina Business Park. The addition of Pride Pak will have a positive impact on the entire region and will further grow the local economy with the creation of hundreds of new jobs. Its collaboration with local farmers will help to deliver fresh, healthy and affordable fruits and vegetables to consumers while strengthening our economy’s agriculture industry. ”

Orleans Economic Development Agency CEO Jim Whipple said, “Expanding the infrastructure of the Medina Business Park was critical to our development efforts in Orleans County. Senator Ortt’s cooperation and swift response to our immediate needs to expand the infrastructure, in order to facilitate the Pride Pak expansion and pave the way for future development projects in the park, was extraordinary.”

OEDA VP Business Development Gabriellle Barone said, “We have found an incredible partner and advocate for Orleans County and the Orleans EDA in Senator Ortt. He understands the plight of rural communities in New York State, and our need to attract manufacturing industries and commerce to the region for the economic benefit of the area, and to spur job creation.”

Orleans County Legislature Chairman David B. Callard said, “All of us here in Orleans County are very excited about the commitment being made by Pride Pak and their beautiful newly constructed facility. Our team continues to work very hard to develop the kind of business-friendly environment needed to attract great companies like Pride Pak to our community. This is an excellent opportunity for a wonderful long-term partnership with Pride Pak CEO Mr. Steven Karr and his team.” 

Senator Ortt secured the $76,800 in capital funding as part of the 2015-2016 State Budget.