Govenor Cuomo announces Crown Holdings officially opens in the Southern Tier

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced that Crown Holdings, Inc., a global leader in metal packaging technology, has officially opened its Tioga County manufacturing operations in the company’s first newly constructed U.S. facility in more than two decades. Crown has invested more than $150 million to build the facility, which will enable the creation of more than 160 new jobs by 2018.

“Through innovative and strategic investments in advanced manufacturing, New York is driving economic growth in the Southern Tier and across the state,” Governor Cuomo said. “Crown Holdings’ new facility will create good-paying jobs in Tioga County, advance the state’s growing manufacturing industry, and support a stronger, more viable economy for years to come.”

Coinciding with Crown’s 125th anniversary, the company’s new facility is now operating in the Tioga County Industrial Park in the Town of Nichols. The plant will enable the company to increase production capacity for specialty beverage cans in order to better service strategic North American markets. Crown’s presence in New York also provides the potential for further development in the area as part of the Southern Tier Soaring regional economic development initiative.

In order to encourage Crown Holdings to move forward with the project in the Southern Tier, Empire State Development has offered performance-based incentives, including up to $8.1 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits and a grant of up to $6.9 million. The company committed to invest more than $150 million in the new facility and create and maintain at least 164 new jobs in the Southern Tier. The incentives offered by the state were a key factor in Crown’s decision to build in Upstate New York.

The project also received local support from the Tioga County Industrial Development Agency and from New York State Electric & Gas Corporation, which facilitated utility installations at the project site, and is providing an economic development Energy Infrastructure Grant to assist with these efforts.

Timothy J. Donahue, president and chief executive officer of Crown, stated, “This new facility reflects Crown’s commitment to support its customers with capacity when and where they need it and underscores our philosophy of delivering innovative metal packaging that responds to demands of modern consumers. On behalf of Crown, I would like to thank our many partners that supported this initiative, including New York’s Empire State Development, Tioga County, the Town of Nichols and New York State Electric & Gas Corporation.”

Senator Fred Akshar said, “We’re thrilled to see new doors open to opportunity in Tioga County through Crown Holdings. Economic growth like this is only possible thanks to the hard work and tenacity of our local community leaders. I applaud Economic Development Director Lee Ann Tinney, the Tioga County IDA, our local Empire State Development staff and our local elected officials for working closely together for years to help transform a possibility into a tangible success story.”

Assemblyman Chris Friend said, “When an international corporation makes a commitment to our community such as this impressive new facility, it is a wonderful reminder and affirmation of all we have to offer. Our people and community resources offer a strong world-class competitive asset that we are proud and grateful to be recognized.”

Martha Sauerbrey, Chair, Tioga County Legislature said, “It was in June of 2015 that Tioga County first planted the seeds of our partnership with Crown Cork and Seal, and I anticipate that we will continue to nurture this relationship in the coming years.  I am pleased to officially welcome Crown Cork and Seal to Tioga County as we look forward to celebrating their great results and important achievements in the Southern Tier.”

Ralph Kelsey, Tioga County IDA Board Chair said, “For the Tioga County IDA it has been exciting to have been a part of a project such as Crown Cork & Seal. The capital investment Crown has made in Tioga County, and the jobs that have come along with the investment, will have a positive financial impact on all of us for years to come. What we see here today only came about because of people like Lee Ann Tinney and her staff, as well as, Bryant Myers who worked hard as a team to pull various organizations and state agencies together to make this project happen.”

The project directly aligns with the Southern Tier Soaring regional economic development plan; specifically, efforts to build up the region’s advanced manufacturing sector and establish it as a global leader for next generation development.

Crown Holdings, which employs approximately 23,000 people worldwide, services a broad spectrum of markets – both nationally and internationally – in the beverage, food, health and beauty, household, industrial, luxury goods and promotional industries. Crown’s headquarters are located in Philadelphia, Pa. 

For more information about Crown Holdings, Inc., visit www.crowncork.com.