Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced the official grand opening of the Good Nature Farm Brewery in the Village of Hamilton, Madison County. The new 14,000 square-foot facility now serves as Good Nature’s headquarters and includes a tap room with a farm-to-table restaurant and outdoor beer garden, as well as office and warehousing space and production operations. The project, which aligns with and is supported by the CNY Rising regional economic development plan, will result in the creation of at least 16 full-time jobs and the retention of 10 existing positions.

"When small businesses succeed in our state, all of New York succeeds and with the grand opening of Good Nature Farm Brewery in Madison County, we make it clear that Central New York is open for business," Governor Cuomo said. "This new farm brewery will create jobs and attract tourism from across the state and beyond, helping Central New York to continue to rise for years to come."

Good Nature Farm Brewery, a homegrown and family-owned craft brewery and tap room, was founded in 2010 and is one of the first farm breweries in New York State. The brewery has partnered with Morrisville State College through the START-UP NY program and handcrafts beers with locally grown ingredients. Good Nature is committed to working with New York State suppliers for its other needs, enabling the brewery to further support local family farms as they create jobs in the state’s burgeoning craft brewing industry and boost agritourism in the region.

Good Nature Farm Brewery Owner Carrie Blackmore said, "When we started in 2011, there were no breweries in Madison County, no such thing as a farm brewery, and very few rural breweries in the State at all. The craft beverage industry has the potential for tremendous economic and cultural impact on our area, and we are proud to be a part of it! We are so incredibly grateful for the support of our community, county, and New York State for their support of our project and the craft beverage industry as a whole. We have already well-exceeded our hiring goals, and are looking forward to continuing to support and promote local and New York State agriculture and business."

State Liquor Authority Chairman Vincent Bradley said, "By working hand in hand with the industry, Governor Cuomo has worked to modernize laws, streamline regulations and provide unprecedented support for our craft beverage manufacturing industry. Good Nature Brewing exemplifies the craft brewing renaissance taking hold in New York, where manufacturers using locally farmed products are producing outstanding beer throughout the state, creating jobs, spurring economic development, and strengthening their local communities in the process."

In order to encourage Good Nature Brewery to proceed with the $6 million project, Empire State Development has offered a performance-based grant of up to $350,000. The brewery is also receiving incentives from Madison County.

ESD President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "Craft beer is big business in New York State. This new facility will be a major boon for agritourism in Central New York and will enable the Good Nature Farm Brewery to focus on growing their business and creating local job opportunities."

State Senator David Valesky said, "Congratulations to Carrie Blackmore and Matt Whalen on the completion of their farm brewery. In addition to job creation, their expansion supports local farmers and agriculture, boosts tourism, and spurs economic development in Madison County."

Assemblyman Bill Magee said, "Good Nature Farm Brewery is the latest of many craft beverage businesses that have opened up in recent years in Central New York. By cutting red tape and removing barriers to manufacturing, sales and distribution of craft beverages, our state has helped spur tourism and bring jobs to our region."

Madison County Board of Supervisors Chairman John M. Becker said, "We are very proud of the continued growth of Good Nature Brewing, Madison County’s first farm brewery in about 200 years. Growth of farm breweries in New York State and locally here in Madison County not only provides more jobs, but benefits local farmers, businesses and tourism."

Hamilton Town Supervisor Eve Ann Shwartz said, "The expansion of the Good Nature Brewery is strongly supported by our community. We are especially pleased that the jobs created by the Brewery are attracting talented young people who want to build their careers and families right here in Hamilton area. Our community’s future depends on the entrepreneurial energy of businesses like Good Nature."

Legislation creating the new Farm Brewery license went into effect in January 2013 to grow both New York’s thriving craft brewery industry and support local agriculture production. Today, 163 businesses have obtained farm brewery licenses in 50 counties across the state. New York is now home to over 300 microbreweries, farm breweries, and restaurant breweries, up from just 50 in 2011. This growth was achieved in part through a series of legislation and economic incentives, including the creation of the Farm Brewery License, providing tax credits for brewers, modernizing the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, and providing promotional funding.

For more information about Good Nature Farm Brewery click here.

Accelerating Central NY Rising

Today's announcement complements “Central NY Rising,” the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested nearly $3 billion in the region since 2012 to lay the groundwork for the plan – capitalizing on global market opportunities, strengthening entrepreneurship and creating an inclusive economy. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Syracuse, Oswego and Auburn as a destination to grow and invest in.

Now, the region is accelerating Central NY Rising with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 5,900 new jobs. More information is available here.