SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Manufacturing is the core of the American economy and the Greater Syracuse area has a long, proud history as a hub for makers of automobile, heating and air conditioning, defense systems and more.

National Grid supports local manufacturers through its economic development programs, which assist companies in their expansion, renovation and growth. Our Manufacturing Productivity Program provides financial assistance to eligible companies committed to lean manufacturing and growth-related projects that eliminate waste and increase productivity on the factory floor. The incentives are enhanced for applicants who combine productivity improvements with growth-targeted activities that result in new customers and/or products.

“National Grid’s impact in Central New York has been incredible, particularly with our manufacturers,” said Jim D’Agostino, Manufacturing Extension Partnership Director for TDO, a consulting and training organization that administers the grant for National Grid and works with manufacturers to implement more cost-efficient practices in their processes. “National Grid’s Manufacturing Productivity Program has been an essential component of TDO’s ability to service manufacturers in Central New York. The MPP has easily been the single largest contributor to the growth and improvement of Central New York manufacturers over the last dozen plus years.”

The program has provided $900,000 in incentives to support nearly 60 projects in the four-county Syracuse area – Cortland, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties – since its inception in 2010, resulting in more than $11 million in savings and $28 million in new investments for grant recipients.

“National Grid’s priority is to provide our customers with affordable, reliably energy to fuel their businesses,” said Alberto Bianchetti, regional director of customer and community engagement for National Grid. “Through our economic development programs, we’re also able to support them with valuable tools to operate more efficiently. The Manufacturing Productivity Program offers resources to companies looking to increase productivity and the capabilities of their workforce while reducing waste and lowering costs.”

This program has been enhanced by National Grid’s Energy Efficiency Program, which provides incentives to large companies that implement energy-saving upgrades to their lighting, HVAC, and other fixtures.

Projects funded through the MPP include:

• Gaylord Bros., Inc., a leading maker of archival and preservation materials, received more than $50,000 in incentives from the Manufacturing Productivity Program in 2021 and 2022, which it used to generate $1.1 million in new sales and nearly $1.8 million in retained sales. The company has also used more than $40,000 in energy efficiency incentives to upgrade its lighting, reducing its energy usage by more than 91,000 KWh annually. Gaylord is based in Liverpool.
• Hartman Enterprises, Inc. is a family-owned machine parts factory in Oneida. From 2019 to 2022, it received more than $50,000 in incentives to improve processes, which resulted in three new positions being created, four employees retained and an additional $100,000 in new investment.
• Knowles Cazenovia, Inc., a specialty components manufacturer for the aerospace, automotive, military and telecommunications industries, has implemented significant changes at its Madison county plant as a result of the MPP. Over the past decade, it was able to reduce waste by nearly $5,500,000 while increasing sales by $11,200,000. Knowles, which makes high-frequency capacitors and thin film components, also added more than 60 new employees to its payroll.
• Marquardt Switches, Inc. has leaned on the MPP over the past decade to create jobs and increase sales. The company, based in Cazenovia, has turned more than $113,000 in incentives into $21,500,000 in new sales, $42,200,000 in retained sales, 42 new jobs. It has also saved $2.2 million in lost productivity along the way. It has also taken advantage of National Grid energy efficiency programs to add new equipment and upgrade lighting fixtures by more than 600,000 KWh annually. Marquardt Switches makes components for the home appliance and automotive industries.

Since 2003, National Grid’s 18 economic development programs have provided more than $145 million in assistance, helping to create or retain more than 65,000 jobs and supporting almost $10.5 billion in private and public investment across upstate New York. More information about National Grid’s suite of programs is available at www.shovelready.com.

National Grid was recently named a 2023 Top Utility in Economic Development by Site Selection magazine. The publication cited the company’s body of work and specifically recognized its efforts in upstate New York.

“National Grid is committed to building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy system for all — and a major part of that commitment is elevating the growth and vitality of the communities where we live and work,” said Arthur Hamlin, Director of Economic Development, National Grid. “We’re powering our local and regional economies with strategic investments and incentive programs that fuel business development, create in-demand jobs, enhance clean energy infrastructure, and provide better opportunities for communities to attract and advance innovation.”

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.