At a glance
The Allegany County Industrial Development Agency (ACIDA) has executed a contract to build Crossroads Development, a multi-million-dollar project that will serve Allegany County colleges, businesses, and visitors along Interstate 86 at the Belmont exit.
The Allegany County Industrial Development Agency (ACIDA) has executed a contract to build Crossroads Development, a multi-million-dollar project that will serve Allegany County colleges, businesses, and visitors along Interstate 86 at the Belmont exit.
Rochester-based Hemisphere Management LLC and Novat Corp. LLC signed a contract for development, construction, and operation of a nationally branded upscale hotel and conference center, full-service restaurant, and modern fueling station. The site consists of approximately 32 acres and is the location of a previously operated truck stop at the intersection of State Route 19 and County Route 20.
“Crossroads Development will add construction and permanent jobs along with substantial sales taxes and bed taxes as the project opens,” stated Board of Legislators Chair Curt Crandall.
The developer anticipates that construction will begin in 2018, at a cost of approximately $15 million, and will provide 50 permanent full-time and part-time jobs. Early designs call for a 90 room hotel, with 5,000 square feet in conference space, and a 3,500-square-foot restaurant. This summer, the ACIDA and developers will hold meetings for the community to discuss details during the design phase of the Crossroads Development.
“On behalf of my partner Tarpan Patel, President of Hemisphere Management LLC, he and I are looking forward to working with the Allegany County community in bringing the long-time dream into reality,” stated Novat Corp. LLC President Pepsy M. Kettavong.
“This project has been high on a wish list to advance economic development in Allegany County for several years and now is becoming a reality,” stated ACIDA President Mike Johnsen.
Three world‐class colleges and universities are a major resource for Allegany County, with Houghton College in the north, Alfred State and Alfred University in the south. ACIDA Executive Director Craig Clark said, “The Crossroads Development is important to all three colleges and businesses throughout the county to be competitive and assure economic growth.”
“The three colleges in the county, local businesses, and tourism are all in need of more facilities like this for accommodating visitors,” stated Alfred State President Dr. Skip Sullivan.
Alfred University President Mark Zupan said, “This is a great step forward for Allegany County. We have been pleased to partner with the ACIDA, Alfred State, Houghton College, and other organizations in our county in support of the endeavor.”
Houghton College President Shirley Mullen stated, “We are grateful to Craig Clark and his team for their hopeful, persistent, and patient pursuit of the most appropriate partner for developing the crossroads property. This is a great benefit to all the educational institutions of Allegany County. We look forward to the many ways this project will leverage further economic development in our county.”
"Local, state, and federal leaders have worked tirelessly to develop this site, and now those efforts are bearing fruit. New jobs, an increased tax base to help take pressure off local property taxpayers, and more opportunity and prosperity will result. It will provide accommodations to grow tourism so that visitors can experience our region's rugged, scenic beauty, outstanding small businesses, and rich history. It was a challenge to secure funds for the waterline, but it was an economic priority for me and I'm thrilled that we invested $400,000 in state grants to help make it happen. Sincere congratulations to the IDA, Allegany County legislators, and everyone who worked together, believed, and never gave up," said state Sen. Cathy Young.
The Crossroads Development project includes a new waterline under development by Allegany County supplied by water from the Town of Friendship. The waterline project is in the final design phase now, anticipated to be ready for construction bids in 2017, and installed in 2018. The waterline will make additional sites for development possible, since access to water is often needed to attract investment.
“The Allegany County IDA is extremely excited about the project and its impact on the county and the community for jobs and economic development,” stated Clark.