WNY Revitalization Supported by Economic Development Grants
Jul 01, 2025 - 01:00 PM
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National Grid continues to advance Western New York’s revitalization by awarding economic development grants to 15 projects that are re-energizing commercial corridors and upgrading main streets across company’s service territory.
National Grid, in recent months, provided the funding through its suite of economic development programs that are used by developers and civic leaders across Upstate New York to meet a variety of needs that include business recruitment, and developing strategies to market a community or to redevelop buildings and brownfields.
“We always welcome the opportunity to learn about projects that are planned by many of our customers, many of whom see vast potential in land parcels that can be remediated, and longtime vacant buildings that can be converted into thriving commercial or industrial sites, retail stores, or new company headquarters,” said National Grid Regional Director Ken Kujawa. “National Grid can be a catalyst to their successes by recommending one of our economic development programs, which boast a strong focus on site development, urban revitalization, strategic marketing, and facilitating customer growth.”
The 15 projects include:
J.M. Smucker Co., IMA Life receive $500,000 grants to support major expansion projects, job creation
J.M. Smucker Co. received a $500,000 grant to support its $18 million expansion and renovation of its 243 Urban St. location in Buffalo. New packaging line upgrades required electricity service enhancements, including a new on-site substation, to support the company’s additional capital investment plans, and to create around 20 new jobs over the next three years.
IMA Life’s $30 million 80,000-square-foot expansion of its 700 Colvin Woods Pkwy. facility in Tonawanda will increase the company’s production of pharmaceutical freeze-drying equipment for production of liquids and powders. For this project, site developer Montante Construction was awarded a $500,000 grant on behalf of IMA Life, which is expected to retain 120 employees and hire 30 additional people as a result of the expansion.
“We always welcome the opportunity to learn about projects that are planned by many of our customers, many of whom see vast potential in land parcels that can be remediated, and longtime vacant buildings that can be converted into thriving commercial or industrial sites, retail stores, or new company headquarters,” said National Grid Regional Director Ken Kujawa. “National Grid can be a catalyst to their successes by recommending one of our economic development programs, which boast a strong focus on site development, urban revitalization, strategic marketing, and facilitating customer growth.”
The 15 projects include:
J.M. Smucker Co., IMA Life receive $500,000 grants to support major expansion projects, job creation
J.M. Smucker Co. received a $500,000 grant to support its $18 million expansion and renovation of its 243 Urban St. location in Buffalo. New packaging line upgrades required electricity service enhancements, including a new on-site substation, to support the company’s additional capital investment plans, and to create around 20 new jobs over the next three years.
IMA Life’s $30 million 80,000-square-foot expansion of its 700 Colvin Woods Pkwy. facility in Tonawanda will increase the company’s production of pharmaceutical freeze-drying equipment for production of liquids and powders. For this project, site developer Montante Construction was awarded a $500,000 grant on behalf of IMA Life, which is expected to retain 120 employees and hire 30 additional people as a result of the expansion.
Both grants were made through National Grid’s Electric Capital Investment Incentive Program, which offsets costs associated with utility infrastructure upgrades to accommodate business expansion.
Buffalo Central Terminal receives $300,000 grant to offset multi-million-dollar brownfield remediation costs
As part of its restoration project, Buffalo’s Central Terminal is undertaking a $4 million brownfield remediation project that includes removal of hazardous materials that contain asbestos, lead and other contaminants. Once this portion of the project is complete, construction will continue, which will stabilize portions of the building for civic use. To support the remediation, National Grid is providing $300,000 through its Brownfield Redevelopment program, which funds utility-related infrastructure improvements and costs that are necessary to progress the redevelopment of a brownfield site or vacant building.
“With true community partners like National Grid, we are preparing for the Buffalo Central Terminal’s next era of connection as an energetic, thriving space to live, work, and play in the heart of Buffalo,” said Monica Pellegrino Faix, executive director, Central Terminal Restoration Corp.
Jefferson Avenue initiative spurred by grant to revitalize East Buffalo community
National Grid is supporting a $41 million revitalization of the former Lion Brewery Building, which dates to the 1870s, by providing a $290,000 Brownfield Redevelopment program grant to subsidize cleanup costs, which may total more than $1 million. When T.O.P. Enterprises completes its renovations the building, located at 1035 Jefferson Ave., will include commercial space, a fine-arts community center and apartments.
“We appreciate National Grid’s commitment and support of this project and its role in the evolution and renaissance of Jefferson Avenue,” said Paula McDonald, president of T.O.P. Enterprises Inc.
Projects on Main Street, Fillmore Avenue in Buffalo awarded Main Street Revitalization grants
The three-story brick building at 884 Main St., which has been vacant since 2011, was built in the late 19th Century. 884 Main Street LLC plans to convert 6,800-square-feet of space to commercial space and apartments. This project will be aided by a $50,000 Main Street Revitalization program grant.
The building at 846 Fillmore Ave. dates to 1900 and contains 1,800-square-feet that’s being converted to commercial space. 846 Fillmore LLC received a $25,000 Main Street Revitalization Program grant to support its renovations that include framing, insulation, drywall, HVAC and more.
Main Street Revitalization Program grants support eligible property owners, municipalities and non-profit development corporations that are transforming vacant structures into vibrant, state-of-the-art buildings that symbolize growth in Western New York’s central business districts.
Four Niagara County projects bolstered by grants
The Wheatfield Business Park was built in the mid-20th Century by Bell Aerospace, which used the site to manufacture a variety of aircraft. Today, it houses more than 1 million square-feet of leasable space zoned for industrial use. The Town of Wheatfield received a $1.5 million Restore NY grant to remove two aging buildings from the site and create more than 20 acres of shovel ready space. For this multi-million-dollar project, National Grid is providing a $300,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Grant.
Among the most recent additions of small businesses and other projects along the Oliver Street Corridor in the City of North Tonawanda is the $2.1 million Oliver Street Walkability project. It was selected for $1.5 million in Downtown Revitalization Initiative Funding through New York Department of State. National Grid is also supporting the project with a $250,000 grant, made through the company’s Urban Center/Commercial District Revitalization program, which is designed to help metro areas across National Grid’s service area to achieve their revitalization goals. The project, when complete, will include new crosswalks, public art, signage, sidewalks, landscaping and more.
Russell Farms in Burt was awarded a $50,000 Agribusiness Productivity Grant to support the installation of a new, roof-mounted solar PV system that will support cold storage capabilities that are essential for preserving produce post-harvest. The Agribusiness Productivity program provides rebates to fund energy efficiency, renewable energy delivery and/or productivity improvements undertaken by dairy businesses, dairy farms and controlled environment agricultural facilities.
Novair USA, a manufacturer of oxygen generators, nitrogen generators and vacuum equipment, received a $13,000 grant to audit and streamline internal procedures before filing a required notice with U.S. Food and Drug Administration that their medical devices are safe and effective. To aid this process, National Grid provided its grant through its Electric Manufacturing Productivity program, which provides matching grants, to lean manufacturing projects or manufacturing assistance projects that result in eliminating waste and increasing productivity.
Two Dunkirk-area projects include former bank conversion and renovation of industrial site
Once complete, the former Lake Shore National Bank that was built in 1938 and was home to other Dunkirk bank branches, including Marine Midland Bank, HSBC and First Niagara, will include commercial space and four apartment units. To aid with the revitalization work to the building that has been vacant since 2016 and is located at 401 Central Ave., National Grid awarded a $100,000 grant to developer 401 Central LLC through its Main Street Revitalization program. This program provides grants to eligible property owners, municipalities and non-profit development corporations that are transforming vacant structures into vibrant, state-of-the-art buildings that symbolize growth in Western New York’s central business districts.
Additionally, National Grid is providing a $17,000 Brownfield Redevelopment program grant for upgrades being made to a building that was long part of an industrial complex dating to the 1950s. The building, located at 118 Stegelske St., had been a site where foods such as dressings, table syrups and beverage mixes had been produced until its closing around 2013. Current owner Atwater Capital is beginning the first phase of brownfield cleanup, including disposal of 25,000 square feet of hazardous wood block flooring. When complete, the renovated building will include warehousing and manufacturing space.
In Batavia, Graham Corp. expanding; Carr’s Reborn LLC reviving vacant building
Graham Corp., which supplies technology and products to aerospace, defense and energy industries, received a $500,000 grant to support the $17 million, 29,000-square-foot expansion at its 20 Florence Ave., Batavia headquarters. The project is expected to retain the company’s more than 360 employees and create around 24 new jobs. A $500,000 grant was made through National Grid’s National Grid’s Electric Capital Investment Incentive program, which offsets costs associated with utility infrastructure upgrades to accommodate business expansion.
“National Grid’s Electric Capital Incentive Program grant helped Graham Corp. expand manufacturing capacity, support job creation, and enhance utility infrastructure on the campus,” said Conor McInerney, owner’s representative of Ciurzynski Consulting. “We’re grateful for National Grid’s support to help bring this impactful project closer to reality.”
Carr’s Reborn LLC is renovating 101-105 Main St. in Batavia. The three-story, 30,000-square-foot site had been vacant for around 20 years and was once home to C.L. Carr’s Department Store, which closed in 2001 after 86 years in business. For this project, Carr’s Reborn is planning mixed-use after it completes façade repairs, installs new windows and a roof, fire suppression equipment, plumbing, HVAC and electricity service. To support this project, National Grid awarded a $100,000 grant through its Main Street Revitalization program, which provides grants to eligible property owners, municipalities and non-profit development corporations that are transforming vacant structures into vibrant, state-of-the-art buildings that symbolize growth in Western New York’s central business districts.
“National Grid’s Electric Capital Incentive Program grant helped Graham Corp. expand manufacturing capacity, support job creation, and enhance utility infrastructure on the campus,” said Conor McInerney, owner’s representative of Ciurzynski Consulting. “We’re grateful for National Grid’s support to help bring this impactful project closer to reality.”
Carr’s Reborn LLC is renovating 101-105 Main St. in Batavia. The three-story, 30,000-square-foot site had been vacant for around 20 years and was once home to C.L. Carr’s Department Store, which closed in 2001 after 86 years in business. For this project, Carr’s Reborn is planning mixed-use after it completes façade repairs, installs new windows and a roof, fire suppression equipment, plumbing, HVAC and electricity service. To support this project, National Grid awarded a $100,000 grant through its Main Street Revitalization program, which provides grants to eligible property owners, municipalities and non-profit development corporations that are transforming vacant structures into vibrant, state-of-the-art buildings that symbolize growth in Western New York’s central business districts.
Barilla Pasta awarded grant to analyze, streamline its power systems
Barilla Pasta America NY Inc. was awarded a $154,700 economic development grant to partially fund a harmonic analysis study and implement solutions to run its Avon manufacturing plant more efficiently.
“This analysis was a crucial step toward enhancing our operational efficiency,” said William Boula, technical development professional at Barilla America Avon. “We have used many National Grid programs for grants and rebates and appreciate their dedication to community and sustainability.”
The grant will help Barilla America, a leading pasta manufacturer with a strong western New York presence, to optimize energy use and ensure reliable power, benefiting the region’s economic and environmental well-being. It was made through National Grid’s Power Quality Enhancement program, which provides financial incentives to qualified customers that install power quality mitigation equipment and controls.
More About National Grid’s Economic Development Grant Programs
National Grid was recognized by leading economic development industry publication Site Selection Magazine as a 2023 Top Utility in Economic Development, selected from a pool of approximately 3,300 electric utilities from across the country. Of the twenty companies named by Site Selection, National Grid is the only utility to make the list with operations in the Northeast. Since 2003, the company’s robust suite of 18 economic development grant programs has provided more than $154 million in assistance, helping to create or retain more than 67,000 jobs and supporting $11.7 billion in private and public investment across upstate New York. More information about National Grid’s suite of programs, including the program application, is available at www.shovelready.com.
Barilla Pasta America NY Inc. was awarded a $154,700 economic development grant to partially fund a harmonic analysis study and implement solutions to run its Avon manufacturing plant more efficiently.
“This analysis was a crucial step toward enhancing our operational efficiency,” said William Boula, technical development professional at Barilla America Avon. “We have used many National Grid programs for grants and rebates and appreciate their dedication to community and sustainability.”
The grant will help Barilla America, a leading pasta manufacturer with a strong western New York presence, to optimize energy use and ensure reliable power, benefiting the region’s economic and environmental well-being. It was made through National Grid’s Power Quality Enhancement program, which provides financial incentives to qualified customers that install power quality mitigation equipment and controls.
More About National Grid’s Economic Development Grant Programs
National Grid was recognized by leading economic development industry publication Site Selection Magazine as a 2023 Top Utility in Economic Development, selected from a pool of approximately 3,300 electric utilities from across the country. Of the twenty companies named by Site Selection, National Grid is the only utility to make the list with operations in the Northeast. Since 2003, the company’s robust suite of 18 economic development grant programs has provided more than $154 million in assistance, helping to create or retain more than 67,000 jobs and supporting $11.7 billion in private and public investment across upstate New York. More information about National Grid’s suite of programs, including the program application, is available at www.shovelready.com.
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.
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