Company Expanding Thanks to Partnership with County Business Development Center
AMSTERDAM — Ushering in the
next chapter in the story of another growing Montgomery County business,
Vida-Blend, a manufacturer of premixed vitamin blends, formally broke ground
today in special ceremony to begin construction of a new, state-of-the-art
production facility in Montgomery County.
The new $1.4 million, 14,000 square foot new facility is a major step forward
for the company. Vida-Blend is the third company to locate at the Florida
Business Park Extension, joining the newly completed Dollar General
Distribution Center and Hill & Markes. Vida-Blend will build its new
manufacturing facility after purchasing the property and negotiating a PILOT
through the BDC. In addition, the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development
Council has awarded Vida-Blend a performance-based, capital grant of $240,000
through Empire State Development for additional machinery and equipment, in
exchange for 11 new jobs.
“We are all looking forward to this new facility as
it will open up many more exciting opportunities for us in the near future,”
said Freddy Luna, founder of Vida-Blend.
The business’ expansion is being celebrated by the officials from Montgomery
County and the County’s Business Development Center as an exciting addition to
the Route 5S corridor which is already home to major name-brand companies like Beech-Nut, Dollar General and Target, as well as
long-standing local employers like Alpin Haus and Hill & Markes.
“Vida-Blend is a wonderful local success story and
another example of how our county’s employers are growing and creating jobs,”
said Montgomery County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort. “Montgomery’s economy is
strong because companies like Vida-Blend, government and local communities are
working together to ensure success. We’re proud to support companies that
invest in our community. Congratulations to Freddy and the whole Vida-Blend
team on this exciting next step.”
“Vida-Blend has become an important part of the
vibrant and diverse Mohawk Valley region by producing quality products and
giving back to the community it calls home,” said Empire State Development
Acting Commissioner, President & CEO-designate Eric Gertler. “This is
another great step forward for the company, Montgomery County and the region,
and we are proud to have supported its expansion.”
“Vida-Blend’s development and expansion is an exciting example of the good that
comes from community support for a local entrepreneur who is willing to make investments
in our area. Helping businesses construct state-of-the-art facilities that meet
the needs of their employees and customers encourages them to stay and grow in
Montgomery County. Freddy and the team at Vida-Blend have come a long way and
we are proud to play a part in helping them realize even greater potential,”
said Montgomery County Business Development Center CEO Ken Rose.
Founded by Freddy Luna in 2013, following a successful career in the vitamin
fortification industry, Vida-Blend has a long-standing working relationship
with the Business Development Center. The company received the
globally-recognized “Food Safety System Certification 22000,” in
2016. The safety designation helped Vida-Blend reach new customers requiring a
larger production facility.
Luna worked closely with the BDC for find a suitable new site. “We’re staying
here and we’re growing here because Montgomery County has always been willing
to help us on our road to success,” he said.
Luna worked closely with the BDC for find a suitable new site. “We’re staying here and we’re growing here because Montgomery County has always been willing to help us on our road to success,” he said.
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