New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced that Orgill, Inc., the world’s largest independent hardlines distributor, will build its first Northeastern U.S. distribution center in Rome, Oneida County. The new, 780,000-square-foot facility, to be located at Griffiss Business and Technology Park, will be the company’s first in New York State and lead to the creation of 225 new jobs in the Mohawk Valley. The company plans to invest nearly $70 million to construct and equip the facility, which will serve Orgill’s customers throughout the Northeast.
“The Mohawk Valley is a prime location for businesses moving products throughout the Northeast, and the Orgill distribution center is a welcome addition to the region,” Governor Cuomo said. “We proudly invest in companies that invest in New York, and with the hundreds of jobs generated by this new facility there is no doubt it will help bolster the region’s economy.”
“Orgill’s distribution center in Rome is a significant investment in the area, creating hundreds of jobs,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “The construction of this project will create new opportunities and strengthen the economy of the entire Mohawk Valley region.”
Orgill serves more than 6,000 retail hardware stores, home centers, professional lumber dealers and farm stores throughout the United States and Canada, and more than 50 countries around the world. Orgill will begin hiring key personnel in early 2020 and will continue staffing of the facility closer to opening. Those interested in job opportunities should visit www.orgill.com/careers for more information as it becomes available.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “By choosing to expand in the Mohawk Valley, Orgill will bring more than 200 jobs to the Mohawk Valley, strengthening the local economy and continuing the momentum that’s making the region, and all of New York State, a stronger and more attractive place to live and work.”
“There were many positive things that led us to select Rome as the home for our newest distribution center, including the excellent workforce in the area and the assistance and cooperation of local officials,” said Ron Beal, Orgill’s chairman and CEO. “We look forward to being a good corporate citizen of Rome, Oneida County and the State of New York.”
“We are excited to announce this expansion to our distribution network and look forward to the enhanced efficiencies this will create for our customers as we move forward,” said Boyden Moore, Orgill’s president.
To encourage Orgill’s investment in the Mohawk Valley, Empire State Development has offered up to $3.5 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits, which are tied directly to the creation of 225 jobs as well as the purchase of equipment and machinery. The approximately $68 million, 780,000-square-foot distribution center will have the potential to expand to 1 million square feet, and will be Orgill’s first distribution center in New York State and in the Northeastern U.S.
“Orgill is a wonderful addition to Griffiss and our region and we are excited that after an exhaustive site search they have selected the skyline site for their northeast distribution center,” said Elis Delia Chair of Griffiss Local Development Corporation. “Preparing large scale sites for development takes time and foresight and we are grateful to our economic development team who was able to deliver a quality site in the timeframe that was needed for this project to be a success. Orgill’s decision to select Griffiss is another example of the positive developments that are taking place within our region and how Griffiss continues to be a major driver in the region’s economic resurgence.”
“We are proud to welcome Orgill Distribution Center to Griffiss Business and Technology Park,” said Steven J. DiMeo, President of Mohawk Valley EDGE. “Over the past few years we at EDGE have adapted our business development strategy to target Site Selectors. It is from that strategic relationship that this project was identified. Our team was then able to work with JM Mullis, Inc. who represented Orgill on this competitive site search, Empire State Development, and Orgill to find a location and workforce that met their needs. We are excited that Rome and the Griffiss Business and Technology Park is that location.”
“Today’s announcement is made possible by the collaboration that exists between Mohawk Valley EDGE, City of Rome, Oneida County, Governor Cuomo, Empire State Development, and EDGE’s staff services agreement with Griffiss Local Development Corporation” said David Manzelmann, Chairman of Mohawk Valley EDGE. “Everyone worked together and demonstrated to Orgill that Griffiss was the right site and the City of Rome was the best community for this project. On behalf of Mohawk Valley EDGE I want to express our appreciation to Orgill for its decision to invest in Rome.”
Senator Joseph Griffo said, “I am pleased to see that Orgill Inc. will be building a 780,000-square-foot distribution facility in Rome. This $68 million project will create 225 new jobs and will be a welcome addition to Rome and the Mohawk Valley.”
Assembly Member Marianne Buttenschon said, “I’m proud to welcome Orgill, Inc. to New York State. Orgill’s decision to build a distribution center in the Mohawk Valley will create good-paying jobs and provide an economic boost to our entire region. It’s also proof that we can continue to attract top national and international companies to Rome and to the Mohawk Valley. I look forward to working with Gov. Cuomo, my colleagues in the Legislature and Orgill representatives to ensure this project gets off the ground without a hitch.”
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. said, “This is a great day for Oneida County and the City of Rome. This $68 million investment will result in hundreds of new well-paying jobs for our community. I want to thank Orgill for choosing Oneida County as the location of its first distribution center in the Northeast. This opportunity for our area wouldn’t have been made possible without the partnership between my administration and Mayor Izzo’s as well as our team of economic development partners, including Mohawk Valley EDGE and Empire State Development, and I applaud them all for their efforts.”
Mayor Jacqueline M. Izzo said, “After many months of negotiations we thank Orgill, Inc. for selecting Rome as their first distribution facility in the Northeastern United States. With the assistance of New York State, Empire State Development Corporation, Oneida County and Mohawk Valley EDGE, we continue the transformation of the former Griffiss Air Force Base to a very diversified business and technology park featuring employment opportunities in cybersecurity, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, hospitality, finance, and now our second distribution facility providing an additional