Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the state is making a $9 million investment in the Genesee Brewery toward its $49 million expansion project.
He made the announcement during a noontime news conference at the Genesee Brew House.
Cuomo says Genesee's parent company, North American Breweries, is investing $49 million to create an "Eco-Brewery District," a sustainable destination for brewing, tasting and learning about beer in Rochester.
"Breweries, wineries are now big business for the state of New York. Numbers have increased exponentially," he said.
Cuomo says the investment, through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, will create 128 new jobs, with half of those jobs going to people currently living in poverty.
North American Breweries CEO Kris Sirchio says companies like his are growing the state's thriving beverage industry.
"We are growing, we are innovating, and as the governor says, we're securing the future legacy for the generations to come and we're thankful for that," he said.
Cuomo says the Genesee Brewing Company has been a fixture in New York for many years, and the story of Genesee's turnaround is in many ways a metaphor for what's going on in upstate New York.
During his visit, held on National Beer Lover's Day, Cuomo also held a signing ceremony, signing into law legislation that modernizes New York's antiquated Alcoholic Beverage Law.
He says that should allow entrepreneurs, new wineries and breweries to develop and flourish.