More than 25 National Grid executives and employees assisted Tifft Nature Preserve ecological technicians and staff employees in the planting of more than 115 new trees at Tifft Nature Preserve in efforts to replace invasive trees with ecologically friendly species. The day of tree planting is just one example of the commitment National Grid has in Western New York to be an environmentally responsible and good corporate citizen.

National Grid’s tree planting volunteerism was in conjunction with Tifft Nature Preserve’s tree regeneration project which is being funded by a $300,000 grant from the Greenway Ecological Standing Committee (GESC).  The Committee is affiliated with the Niagara River Greenways Fund, established by the New York Power Authority as part of the re-licensing of the Niagara Power Project.

Following a very successful soft opening at their spacious new location at 4557 Main St. in Snyder, Farmers & Artisans will host a grand opening celebration from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Guests will have an opportunity to meet several local food producers and sample many of their products during the day-long event.

A local food market and artisan bakery, Farmers & Artisans was previously located at 78 East Spring St. in Williamsville. The new location places even greater focus on local and sustainable food products provided by smaller producers and growers, according to owner Julie Blackman. Blackman’s family also owns Blackman Homestead Farm in Lockport.

Agency approves land sale to Canadian company and project applications from March 2013 board meeting

The Niagara County Industrial Development Agency (NCIDA) board of directors today accepted applications for assistance from Power Greenhouse Integration, LLC, for a greenhouse renovation project in the Town of Wheatfield and Plati Niagara Inc., LLC for another new hotel in Niagara Falls. Both projects will generate approximately $33 million of investment while creating 88 new jobs and 30 part time jobs as well as temporary construction jobs.

The board of directors also approved the sale of 7.5 acres of land to a Canadian manufacturing company for future development as well as approval of the two applications for assistance the agency received at the March 2013 board meeting.