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Allegany County Industrial Development Agency Launches New Local Development Corporation to Expand Financing for Local Projects
BELMONT, N.Y. (January 1, 2026) – The Allegany County Industrial Development Agency (ACIDA) is proud to announce the official Allegany County formation of the Allegany County Local Development Corporation (ACLDC). Established to bolster the region's economic landscape, the ACLDC will offer low-interest loans to support expansion and retention of Allegany County local businesses. The creation of the ACLDC is a complement to the hard work of Executive Director Craig Clark and the Board of Directors. Over the past eight years, their strategic management has ensured the ACIDA is profitable enough to have the ability to provide the administrative support and capital necessary to launch the LDC. This effort has put the LDC in a position to serve as a strategic financial partner, designed to provide a critical "piece of the puzzle" within a project’s total capital stack. Rather than serving as a primary lender, the LDC will focus on filling financing gaps to ensure viable county capital projects reach the finish line. “The ability to support and work with the Allegany County formed ACLDC represents a significant step forward in our commitment to fostering a thriving business environment in Allegany County,” said Judith Hopkins, Board Chairman, on behalf of the ACIDA Board. “By offering flexible, low-interest financing, the ACLDC is providing the necessary tools for our local entrepreneurs and established businesses to grow, create jobs, and invest in our community’s future.” Loan Program Highlights:
About the Allegany County Local Development Corporation (ACLDC) The ACLDC is a non-profit corporation formed by Allegany County. Its mission is to support the economic welfare of Allegany County by facilitating projects that create or retain jobs and promote local commerce through innovative financing solutions. About the ACIDA The Allegany County Industrial Development Agency (ACIDA) is a public benefit corporation dedicated to promoting sustainable economic development in Allegany County, New York, through public-private partnerships, infrastructure development, and financial incentives.
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At the Allegany County Industrial Development Agency (ACIDA), we believe that our small businesses are more than just shops and services—they are the backbone of our economy and the soul of our Main Streets. Since 2021, we have been proud to partner with Allegany County and the NYS Office of Community Renewal to deliver critical capital through the MicroEnterprise Grant Program. Today, we are thrilled to share the remarkable results of this initiative, which has funneled over $680,000 in direct investment into 24 of our local small businesses. Real Dollars, Real ImpactThe program targets "true" microenterprises—businesses with five or fewer employees. By providing flexible grants ranging from $10,000 to $35,000, we are helping entrepreneurs modernize, expand, and create local jobs. The Results Through December 2025:
 Jason Milburn (left) and Josie Kozlowski (right), owners of Canaseraga Soup and Coffee Co., stand in front of their original Canaseraga café. Following the success of this flagship location and support from the Allegany County MicroEnterprise Grant Program, the duo expanded their operations by opening a second café in Wellsville. Success Stories Across Allegany County From agribusiness to high-end retail, these grants are fueling diverse industries across our region:
More Than Just a Check: Building Resilience Success in a rural economy requires a solid plan. That is why every grantee receives professional entrepreneurship training through ACCORD Corporation or IncubatorWorks, with final business plan development guided by The Harrison Studio. This hands-on approach ensures that our smallest operations have the same professional backing as a large corporation, creating a resilient foundation for years to come. Join Our Growing Community The ACIDA remains dedicated to promoting sustainable economic development through these vital public-private partnerships. Whether you are a start-up or an established micro-business, we are here to help you thrive. See the full report HERE. Keep an eye out for upcoming news about our request for another round of MicroEnterprise Funding! New Cuba Business Park will support warehousing, light manufacturing, and local job growth
Cuba, N.Y. — December 3, 2025 -- The Allegany County Industrial Development Agency (ACIDA) today announced a major redevelopment initiative: Cuba Business Park, a multi-tenant business park on the former Great Lakes Cheese site in the Town of Cuba. The project builds on the ACIDA’s efforts to revitalize underused commercial properties across Allegany County. "Redeveloping the former Great Lakes Cheese plant is a prime example of our strategic approach: taking a high-value, underutilized industrial asset and putting it back to work,” said ACIDA Executive Director Craig Clark. “This site has the scale and location to attract significant new investment and create sustainable employment opportunities for our residents." "We are excited about the investment into the former GLC site in South Cuba, that will bring new economic development opportunities and growth to Cuba and the County," said Town Supervisor Lee James. "The Cuba Business Park will be developed as a multi-purpose facility, and initial indications show the potential of 30 manufacturing jobs, as well as other development investments. We look forward to working with owners Joseph Meindl and Alan Knauf, who have a proven track record for redevelopment in Allegany County." Great Lakes Cheese donated the property to the ACIDA, enabling the agency to move quickly to repurpose the site and prevent it from remaining vacant. Matt Wilkinson, Vice President, Technology & Business Development for Great Lakes Cheese noted, “The Cuba community has graciously hosted us since 1993, and we are proud that many of our employees continue to call the town home. It was important to us that this land be a tangible part of the community’s future. We appreciate the partnership of the ACIDA and the town of Cuba in facilitating this transition and hope Cuba Business Park will facilitate growth to benefit the community and its residents.” The site comprises 34 acres and four existing buildings totaling approximately 190,292 square feet along County Road 6. The new owners, the Cuba Business Park LLC, will initially invest more than $1 million to renovate the facilities and prepare space for warehousing, light manufacturing, and commercial tenants. The ACIDA’s financial assistance package for the redevelopment includes sales tax, mortgage recording tax, and real property tax exemptions under a lease-leaseback and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) structure. In return, the project is expected to deliver public benefits including job creation, retention and expansion of local business activity, and increased long-term tax revenue. The Cuba Business Park is expected to initially support 30 full-time jobs across warehousing, light manufacturing, and other commercial uses—providing important employment opportunities for the Cuba community and Allegany County. The developers of Cuba Business Park previously partnered with the ACIDA on the Wellsville Business Park, located at 37 Coats Street in Wellsville, N.Y. That campus offers more than 400,000 square feet of warehouse and manufacturing space plus over 50,000 square feet of office space, and features high-bay clearances (up to 55 feet), multiple loading docks, rail and road access, low-cost municipal electric service to lower tenant operating costs, secure fenced perimeter and video monitoring, and a location within a Federal Opportunity Zone. “Working with the ACIDA has been essential in moving these projects forward,” said Joe Meindl, one of the owners. “In partnership, we’re transforming two underutilized sites into productive business parks that can support new tenants, new jobs, and long-term economic growth in Allegany County.” Both the Cuba and Wellsville Business Parks are actively being marketed to prospective tenants for warehouse, manufacturing, and office space. Interested lessees should contact Joe Meindl at 585-370-7291 or [email protected]. About Cuba Business Park LLC Cuba Business Park LLC is a New York–based developer focused on transforming underutilized properties in Allegany County into modern, multi-tenant business parks that support regional economic growth. About the ACIDA The Allegany County Industrial Development Agency (ACIDA) is a public benefit corporation dedicated to promoting sustainable economic development in Allegany County, New York through public-private partnerships, infrastructure development, and financial incentives. Media contact: Craig R. Clark, Ph.D., P.E. Executive Director, Allegany County Industrial Development Agency Phone: 607-968-0214 Email: [email protected] The Allegany County Industrial Development Agency (ACIDA) is proud to share the impact of 14 solar-energy projects completed across the county as of November 2025. A recent analysis highlights how these projects are generating significant economic returns while utilizing less than 0.4% of the county's farmland.
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Access the full Fact Sheet here: Nov 2025 ACIDA Solar Projects Fact Sheet * We will periodically update these figures as new projects come online. |