TOWN OF GOSHEN – The US
Army Corps of Engineers has granted Amy’s Kitchen the permit needed
from that agency to begin construction on the $95 million, 369,000 square
foot food manufacturing plant in the Town of Goshen.
The California-based, family-owned organic and natural food distribution
company needed the permit, which was secured with the aid of Senator Charles
Schumer, who earlier assisted Amy’s Kitchen in gaining other approvals
including wetlands jurisdictional determination and an agreement for the
recovery of significant information from archeological sites and consultation
on endangered species with US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Groundbreaking on the project is expected this spring with hundreds of
full-time workers, said Andy Berliner, a principal of Amy’s Kitchen.
As many as 700 people could be employed there.
Goshen Town Supervisor Douglas Bloomfield is thrilled that the red tape
is nearing a conclusion. He characterized the family business as a top-notch
business that produces quality products and treats their employees exceptionally
well.
County Executive Steven Neuhaus said Amy’s “has no more obstacles
in front of it and they should begin clearing last this winter.”
Tree removal must be done before March because of the endangered Indiana
bat population that cannot be disturbed as long as they are nesting in
trees in the warmer months.
The facility will be constructed on a 200-acre site between Echo Lake
Road and Route 17M.
