Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that Amy's Kitchen, a leading organic food manufacturer, has broken ground on its East Coast hub - a 389,000-square-foot specialty frozen food manufacturing facility in Goshen, Orange County. The facility, which will be one of the largest previously-undeveloped manufacturing plants to select New York State in more than 30 years, will enable the company to create 680 jobs, with potential for future growth.

"Our open-for-business approach to economic development is attracting transformative investments from leading companies like Amy's Kitchen because we have the locations, business climate and workforce to help them succeed," Governor Cuomo said. "As one of the largest development projects in the Mid-Hudson region in decades, this project will create hundreds of good jobs, boost the manufacturing industry and generate major economic opportunities for the local community."

"Amy's Kitchen is just the latest business to set up shop in New York, creating hundreds of new jobs and strengthening the economy of the Mid-Hudson region," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who made today's announcement. "As a growing food manufacturing company, Amy's Kitchen is expanding with a significant investment in Orange County. During my travels across the state, I'm encouraged to see many unique businesses who are opening their doors, bolstering our workforce, and building the future of New York."

Amy's Kitchen invests in local organic farms to create a variety of sustainable organic and non-GMO convenience and frozen food products that are sold throughout the country. The company was founded in 1987 and is family-owned and privately held. Amy's Kitchen currently employs 2,600 workers and makes more than 250 organic products, including frozen entrees, pizza, burritos, wraps and bowls, soups, beans, salsa and pasta sauce, as well as cakes, cookies and candy bars. The company was founded by Andy and Rachel Berliner and named after their daughter, Amy. Amy's Kitchen has experienced double-digit growth since its inception. It has plants in California, Oregon and Idaho.

Amy's Kitchen CEO and Co-Founder Andy Berliner said, "Amy's is thrilled to be breaking ground in Goshen, New York. Governor Cuomo and his team have been truly instrumental in helping us get to where we are today. It's thanks to his partnership and guidance that we are one step closer to making our dream of opening a kitchen in New York a reality."

To encourage Amy's Kitchen to establish its East Coast Hub in Orange County, New York State has offered up to $6.8 million in performance-based incentives and a low-cost power allocation for the new facility. Empire State Development has offered up to $5.8 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits, which are tied directly to job creation and investment commitments, and a $1 million JOBS NOW grant to support the project. Additionally, the New York Power Authority is providing a nearly 1.2 megawatt low-cost power allocation under the Governor's ReCharge NY program, which provides qualifying businesses and nonprofits with lower energy costs in exchange for commitments to retain or create jobs in New York State. ReCharge NY is currently supporting nearly 14,000 jobs and more than $5.9 billion in capital investments in the Mid-Hudson region.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "Companies are moving to New York and creating good jobs that benefit communities throughout the state, and this new state-of-the-art facility from Amy's Kitchen will build a strong economy here while creating hundreds of new jobs in the Mid-Hudson region."

New York Power Authority President and CEO Gil Quiniones said, "This expansion project by Amy's Kitchen is great news for Orange County and signals the company's strong commitment to the area. ReCharge NY has been a significant economic development driver throughout the state under Governor Cuomo and NYPA is glad to be a part of this impactful state incentive package."

Senator Jen Metzger said, "As the State Senate representative for Goshen, it's exciting to welcome Amy's Kitchen which will bring hundreds of good jobs to the region and create new economic opportunities. Owners Rachel and Andy Berliner have shown a deep commitment to their customers, employees, farmers and the planet. This is just the kind of private investment that we want to continue to attract to the mid-Hudson."

Assembly Member Colin J. Schmitt said, "I am proud to welcome Amy's Kitchen to Goshen! This project is transformational for the entire region. With over 600 new jobs being created and the construction of a 389,000-square-foot specialty frozen food manufacturing facility Amy's Kitchen will stand as one of the cornerstones of economic growth for our entire region. Amy's Kitchen is a highly regarded family owned and operated business known for putting their employees first and partnering with local farms. This is exactly the type of company we are proud to welcome to our community and state."

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus said, "Amy's Kitchen will foster economic growth and the creation of hundreds of jobs in this brand new manufacturing facility, and I'm very pleased to see the project moving forward. I appreciated the opportunity to work closely with Governor Cuomo, the Berliner family and our community partners to help make this project a reality."

Middletown Mayor Joe DeStefano said, "Middletown is proud to support the new Amy's Kitchen facility that will bring hundreds of good jobs to the area and support the local community, and I thank Governor Cuomo and the state government for their assistance in making this project a reality."

Goshen Supervisor Douglas Bloomfield said, "I am so pleased Andy and Rachel Berliner, owners of Amy's Kitchen, have selected the town of Goshen for their next food manufacturing facility, and it is absolutely one of the most exciting decisions ever made regarding our town, and I pledge to do my best to support their venture in every way that I can."