Governor Cuomo Announces Grand Opening of Good Nature Farm Brewery in Madison County
Brewery Expansion Project Will Create and Retain Nearly 30 Jobs in Central New YorkInvestment Complements "Central NY Rising" – The Region’s Successful Upstate Revitalization Initiative Blueprint to Grow the Economy and Create New Opportunities
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.