$100,000 Grant coming to Genesee County

The program is expected to train approximately 200 people. They will be trained to work in the area's existing food processing companies, as well as in future businesses that will call the Genesee Valley Agri-Business Park home.

"We know how important a good workforce is and we are committed to ensuring that local businesses have access to an ample supply of educated and trained workers," said Charlie Cook, Chairman of GCEDC. "This important grant will help develop a sustainable worker pipeline for an emerging food processing industry in our region."

"In the last four years, National Fuel's Area Development Program has provided grants for specific projects in an effort to stimulate economic activity and redevelopment in our service territory," said Bruce Heine, Vice President, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. "We selected this program to ensure that higher-value skills are available in the workforce, when needed, to potentially stimulate private investment and with that, retain and attract jobs."

"Attracting and sustaining manufacturing companies in any community requires a skilled workforce," said Steve Hyde, President and CEO of GCEDC. "With the recent influx of food processing companies such as Alpina Foods and Muller Quaker Dairy, this is especially true in Genesee County. The grant awarded under National Fuel's Area Development Program is critical for helping us meet this challenge and continue to drive economic growth."