New York Governor Paterson Announces New Permanent Home For Upstate Empire State Development

Unveils New Funding For Buffalo Job Development; Governor Paterson Makes First Trip to Buffalo, Focuses on Upstate Economy

March 27, 2008 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today made his first trip to Buffalo as Governor to reaffirm his commitment to Upstate New York. He announced that the State’s lead economic development agency Empire State Development (ESD) will establish its permanent Upstate headquarters in Buffalo. Governor Paterson also used his visit to announce that a $1.2 million capital grant has been awarded to Tops Markets LLC to move its headquarters to Amherst.

“The creation of a permanent Upstate ESD headquarters in Buffalo will play a critical role in reviving the Upstate economy,” said Governor Paterson. “Upstate ESD will continue to be the catalyst driving Upstate’s economic engine and encouraging investment in the diverse resources we have to offer. In addition, the Upstate office is doing its part in helping to revive Buffalo’s Cobblestone District by making good use out of an old warehouse.”

In 2007, its first year of operation, Upstate ESD worked with more than 130 businesses to secure pledges for 8,576 new jobs and leveraged $2 billion in private resources.

Upstate ESD Chairman Daniel C. Gundersen said: “Our move to the Cobblestone District reinforces Governor Paterson’s commitment to an Upstate ESD with headquarters in Buffalo. Upstate New York continues to be ‘open for business.’ And, in just a few short months, we will proudly open the doors to our Upstate ESD headquarters. It will serve as home base for dozens of talented professionals who are working hard to create jobs for our residents and revitalize all of Upstate New York.”

Upstate ESD leased over 30,000 square feet of space in the former Benlin Distribution Services warehouse at 95 Perry Street. The 10-year lease will allow Upstate ESD to occupy the fifth floor. Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation and ESD’s Western New York regional office will occupy the fourth floor. Upstate ESD anticipates a move-in date of July 1, 2008.

The relocation of Tops headquarters from Carlisle, Pennsylvania will result in approximately 140 new information technology, purchasing, and accounting jobs. Bringing the Tops’ purchasing function back to Western New York will significantly increase the amount of “Made in New York” products purchased by Tops. At present, most of Tops’ products and produce are purchased from out-of-state firms. In addition, Tops will use local advertising, marketing and public relations firms.

“It’s a great day when we see a home-grown company, which started as a family business, succeed and move its headquarters back to its roots in Western New York,” Governor Paterson said. “In doing so, the company is not only retaining 145 jobs, but pledging an additional 140 jobs. The multiplier effect of having this headquarters back in Upstate New York will be very positive for the community as a whole.”

Upstate ESD Chairman Daniel C. Gundersen said: “Tops is re-establishing a robust headquarters here in the Buffalo area because it is, quite simply, a smart business decision. With this deal, ESD, the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise and local economic development partners, are helping to pull jobs back from Pennsylvania to Western New York where they belong and ensuring that Tops remains a name brand for decades to come. Let this be a message that we welcome home other firms that wish to return their full operations to a dynamic community in which to live, work, raise a family and grow a business.”

Tops President and CEO Frank Curci said: “Today’s grant announcement by the ESD Corporation is a significant piece in our plan to handle all facets of Tops’ operations here. Ever since ownership of Tops Markets was assumed by Morgan Stanley Private Equity last December, our goal has been to once again make Tops a local company. We now have a long-term commitment to a local headquarters and a growing local workforce. We thank our state and local economic development officials for their commitment to and faith in Tops Markets and the exciting path we are creating.”

Buffalo Niagara Enterprise President and CEO Tom Kucharski said: “I would like to congratulate Tops President Frank Curci and welcome him and the entire Tops headquarters team back home to Western New York. Tops was born and raised in our community and their name has always been synonymous with the Buffalo-Niagara region. Buffalo Niagara Enterprise is very pleased to have been able to assist in this project and we are extremely happy to call our region home to yet another corporate headquarters operation.”

President and Chief Executive Officer of National Fuel and Chairman of Buffalo Niagara Enterprise David F. Smith said: “It is a special opportunity to be able to speak of the planned expansion and relocation of the Tops Markets headquarters from the perspective of the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise and as a neighbor to Tops Markets. We at National Fuel have enjoyed a cooperative and friendly relationship with Tops since moving 474 employees to our new home and I am very pleased that we can facilitate their plans to grow the employee base that will occupy our shared office building.”

Amherst Industrial Development Agency Executive Director James Allen said: “This announcement speaks favorably for Upstate New York. This is a company that was once headquartered here, was purchased by a foreign firm and then left the area. The decision to bring the facilities back to Western New York obviously bodes well for the region and its people.”

Tops Markets, LLC, was founded in the 1960’s in Western New York and currently operates 71 full-service supermarkets and five franchise supermarkets. With more than 10,000 associates, Tops is the leading full-service grocery retailer in Western and Central New York, including Rochester, and Northwestern Pennsylvania. In 1991, Tops was purchased by Netherlands-based Royal Ahold. Morgan Stanley purchased the chain from Netherlands-based Royal Ahold for $130 million in December 2007.

Source: New York Governor

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