Canajoharie concerns raised at hearing

Public hearing on Beech-Nut draws small crowd in Florida

By KERRY McAVOY, The Leader-Herald

FLORIDA - The small number of people who came to speak at the Hero/Beech-Nut public hearing Wednesday all spoke about the same thing - helping Canajoharie.

Those who spoke all had differing ideas about what the company could do to help the village.

Jane Kulczycki, an economic development specialist with the Empire State Development Corp., and attorney J. Paul Kolodziej conducted the meeting at the Old Town Barn from 11 a.m. to noon.

Former Canajoharie Mayor Randall Houge complained about the lack of study about how departure of Beech-Nut would affect the village of Canajoharie.

Houge said it's been more than a year since the plans were announced, and he hasn't seen any allocation or consideration of the effect on Canajoharie.

"This facility represents almost 25 acres in the village and has some economic liability to the village, including an unpaid water and sewer bond," Houge said.

Houge said there are several items that have not been addressed in the state environmental impact study regarding the economic and environmental effect on Canajoharie.

"I want to go on record saying that from my point of view ... I believe that Canajoharie was not, is not and has not been considered in this proposed project," Houge said.

Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission Executive Director Fred Miller said he supports the project to keep jobs in the Mohawk Valley.

Miller said his organization represents more than 200 municipalities across eight counties.

Miller said his group has been working with Canajoharie and the surrounding towns and villages to help after Beech-Nut leaves town.

He said he also has worked with Beech-Nut in the past to help.

"The solution to Canajoharie is simple - you prosper with the company. You don't fight with the company," Miller said.

He said he has been studying the situation and believes many companies will leave the area

"The options are easy," Miller said. "You have a company stay, [and] they keep people employed. Or, you have a company that you fight and argue with, and they move to South Carolina. And then you have nothing."

Beech-Nut Vice President of Business Development Edouard Feller spoke to the small group about his company's plans.

Feller said he wanted to reassure people that his company intends to meet all promises made publicly about employment, purchases and working with the community.

Feller said Beech-Nut officials have met with Canajoharie village leaders, and they have addressed the Board of Trustees about the company's commitment to help the village after it leaves.

Feller said Beech-Nut representatives, including himself, have been going around to people in the town of Florida to get to know the community better.

The Empire State Development Corp. will give about $35 million in grants to the estimated $134 million project.

Kulczycki said the grants were being given to help retain up to 350 jobs in the area and introduce up to 150 new ones.

The Empire State Development Corp. board was required to conduct a public hearing on the incentive package before it can grant formal approval. It now will decide whether to approve or deny the incentive package. Officials were unsure when the final decision would be made.

Kerry McAvoy covers Montgomery County. She can be reached at montco@leaderherald.com.