A Pendleton manufacturer of biotech, pharmaceutical, defense, and aerospace industry products is looking to embark on a major expansion, whether in Niagara County or elsewhere.
J.M. Canty, which was incorporated in 1977 and has been based at 6100 Donner Road since 1998, wants to expand its production capabilities by 40,000 square feet, doubling the size of its workforce. The $8.22 million expansion would expand the site’s machine shop and electronic assembly area, with the 41 jobs it’s expected to create ranging from engineers and machinists to administrative roles.
The company has created a specialized filtration system that can separate particulates down to a single micrometer, according to an application to the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency for tax incentives. This technology is useful for jet fuel, oil, and gas, and can be used for companies developing semiconductors and data centers.
“We do a lot of work with the increase in automation and AI,” said company President Colleen Kelly. Their camera-based monitoring systems have been used for the likes of the mining, glass and steelmaking industries, as well as making potato peelers that properly skin a potato and a beer that does not foam too much when poured.
The company is seeking $2.17 million worth of IDA tax incentives. That would be made up of $1.7 million in property tax exemptions, $424,000 in sales tax exemptions, and $37,500 in mortgage recording tax exemptions.
The company also has a sister company in Dublin, Ireland, JM Canty International, that serves European and Asian markets. Its owners, Tod and Jay Canty, currently live in Florida, where they do not have operations, but would explore expansion there or in Ireland if it were economically feasible.
“We’ve been very happy in the area,” Kelly said, noting their expansion plans are not finalized yet.
Expansion costs include $5 million in construction, $2.8 million in equipment purchases, and $420,000 in other soft costs. Funding sources include $5 million in bank financing, $2 million in equity, $636,000 in a shareholder loan, and a $584,000 state Office of Community Renewal grant.
A public hearing for the incentives will take place on June 29 at Pendleton Town Hall.