Securing Tulip’s Future in Niagara Falls

[Press Release]

Today Mayor Paul Dyster announced recommendation by the New York Power Authority’s Power Proceeds Allocation Board for the Tulip Molded Plastics Corporation, a long-time Niagara Falls maker of molded plastics.   This decision is the first step and must be approved by the NYPA Board at a later date.  It paves the way for the retention of 84 full-time equivalent jobs along with future employment growth and construction of a new facility for Tulip on the rehabilitated Brighfields brownfield site.  Tulip currently operates out of a 114-year-old, 125,000 square foot manufacturing facility that is not equipped to accommodate future growth in their business. The company plans to lease a 70,000 square foot, newly constructed building on land adjacent to its current Highland Avenue facility.

Mayor Dyster said, “I would like thank the WNY Power Proceeds Allocation Board for the role they played in securing Tulip’s future in Niagara Falls.  Tulip has a long and proud history in our great city and today’s action by the Power Proceeds Allocation Board will secure their future here.   Their proposed new facility is a prime example of how a tract of land, forgotten and neglected by some, can be   remediated, and repurposed.   This project is another step in my administration’s transformation of the Highland Avenue corridor.”

Tulip President and CEO Craig Kellogg said, “This is a major and important step towards enabling Tulip to grow. The dedicated workforce is committed to growth and continuous improvements.  Our vision is to be the supplier of choice to our customers.  New investment in a facility and the equipment will help us achieve our vision.  I’d like to personally thank Mayor Dyster and the Power Proceeds Board for their hard work in pulling this together.”

Empire State Regional President for Western New York, Sam Hoyt said, “Today’s decision by the Power Proceeds board is just another affirmation that New York is indeed open for business under the leadership of Governor Cuomo.  Mayor Dyster has ben a strong partner for the growth of his city and our region as a whole.  His leadership was an important part in the retention of the Tulip Corporation for Niagara Falls.”

Assemblyman John Ceretto said, “For 100 years, Tulip Corporation has been a fixture of our community. I’m proud to have worked there for 20 years and even prouder now to help deliver this funding so Tulip Corp. can continue providing 70 good-paying, full-time jobs in Niagara Falls.  Our efforts will allow Tulip Corp. to build a new state-of-the-art facility, create more jobs and help our local economy thrive. I’ll continue to fight every day to save and create jobs so that hardworking Western New Yorkers can afford to stay and raise their families right here at home.”

United Auto Workers Region 9 International Representative, Mark Barbee said, “Thank you to Governor Cuomo, Mayor Dyster for their work on this project and to the Power Proceeds Board for approving Tulip’s application.  The hard working men and women of Local 2571 can look forward to coming to work in the future as the same place they have.

John Williams of OSC said, “Brightfields is excited to be able to develop this project for Tulip, Tulip has a 100 year plus manufacturing history on Highland Avenue in Niagara Falls, NY.  This development, hopefully, will keep Tulip and their employees in Niagara Falls for the next century. ”

Victoria Ann Streitfeld Director, Corporate Communications for Honeywell said, “Honeywell, which has supported our community with their expertise and innovative programming, collaborated with Brightfields, state regulators, and the public for the demolition and cleanup of the site.”

About the Tulip Corporation: From custom products to battery components, the applications of Tulip’s Molded Products Division are as wide ranging and diverse as the many materials used in thermoplastic injection molding. With plants supported by a modern Technical Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Molded Products Division is ideally suited to serve its varied markets. By combining engineering and design experience with the benefits of advanced technology Tulip has emerged as a leader in numerous markets.

About the Power Proceeds Allocation Board and the Western New York Economic Development Fund:  The Western New York Power Proceeds Allocation Act, effective March 30, 2012, created the Western New York Power Proceeds Allocation Board (WNYPPAB), and required the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to establish the Western New York Economic Development Fund (Fund). The primary role of the WNYPPAB is to solicit and review applications, and make funding recommendations to the NYPA Board of Trustees.  Fund proceeds are comprised of the net earnings from the Power Authority’s market sale of unutilized Expansion and Replacement Power, which are two low-cost power programs associated with the Niagara Power Project.