Amazon plans to build a 181,000 square foot distribution center in Greece, adding 500 to 1,000 permanent jobs to the local economy. This project advances the core of the Town of Greece 2020 Comprehensive Plan to bring industrial growth and more jobs to the area. Acquest Development Company, owner and developer of the 60-acre site located in Eastman Business Park, will use local contractors for construction, putting hundreds more to work in the construction sector. Thanks to an expedited permitting process made possible by the town’s new Economic Development and Innovation Overlay (EDIO), construction could start as soon, with the facility slated to be fully operational by the spring of 2021.
The town’s new Economic Development and Innovation Overlay area, adopted in March of this year, covers a range of industrial areas, including Eastman Business Park, Canal Ponds Business Park, and MuniPro’s 400-plus acre Northampton Landing Development along the Erie Canal. The Overlay is strategically placed to focus on growth in job-creating industry sectors like clean energy, food and beverage production, health care, manufacturing, and distribution industries. The Amazon facility is located within this district.
“With the completion of our 2020 Comprehensive Plan, we’ve made economic development and job creation our top priority,” said Supervisor Reilich. “From the moment we were approached with this project, we’ve been working in partnership with the developer to make it happen. When it comes to attracting industry and creating jobs, we can’t just sit back and wait for opportunities like this to come to our community; we have to be proactive. With all of the economic losses we have been experiencing due to COVID, this new investment in our community is a welcome sign of future prosperity. Our success here shows that the formula works, and we are on track to achieve the full potential of our industrial areas.”
The Overlay and renewed focus on economic development are outgrowths of Greece’s 2020 Comprehensive Plan, as is the town’s newly established Office of Economic Development. With hundreds of acres available for industrial development, solid infrastructure, and a skilled workforce, Greece is working to position itself for future industrial job growth in a changing economic landscape.
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