Economic Development Week in Review – April 2 – April 6, 2018

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CEG IN THE NEWS

Times Union: Two local companies to pitch plans to venture capitalists

REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Death Wish Coffee will be in 2,000 grocery stores by the end of 2018

“Death Wish Coffee, the skull and bones-branded coffee produced in Saratoga County, New York, is expanding to hundreds of grocery stores this year after signing new deals with Walmart and Safeway.

The coffee, advertised as “The World’s Strongest Coffee,” has traditionally been a direct-to-consumer business, selling its coffee online at Amazon and on its website. That’s changing as Death Wish diversifies and starts offering its products in more grocery stores.”

Albany could get a seasonal weekend train to the Berkshires

“A group studying the feasibility of seasonal weekend passenger train service to the Berkshires has backed a plan that would extend existing Empire Service trains to Pittsfield from New York City and Rensselaer.

The Berkshire Flyer Working Group determined that the extension wouldn’t require any significant capital investments, unlike two other alternatives being studied. Gross cost of operating one round trip each weekend during the summer and fall would be $425,000 over a 20-week period.”

Paper manufacturer hiring 45 as part of $8 million expansion in Schenectady County

“Specialty Quality Packaging, a paper and packaging products manufacturer in Glenville, New York, announced today it plans to spend $8 million to expand its plant and hire 45 employees.

The plant is located in the Glenville Business and Technology Park in Schenectady County. Empire State Development is providing Specialty with $900,000 in tax credits.”

New GlobalFoundries GM Ron Sampson has big goals for 2018

“Ron Sampson wants to increase production by 20 percent this year at GlobalFoundries’ manufacturing complex in Malta, New York.

Sampson, 51, was promoted last month to senior vice president and general manager of the computer chip maker’s most advanced factory.”

Mohawk Fine Paper purchases Crane Stationery

“Mohawk Fine Papers of Cohoes has purchased Crane Stationery, a North Adams, Mass.-based producer of stationery and other products. The purchase price wasn’t revealed.

Mohawk said it would continue operating Crane’s factory and maintain its 270-person workforce, according to the Berkshire Eagle.”