Coca-Cola Bottling uncaps expansion plans-- company improves operations through investment in  its Milens Road facility and aggressive marketing efforts. Acquisition of the nearby TNT Overland property--a 3.4 acre parcel and 10,000 sf. building--will house the cold drink vending operations and bring 14 new jobs to the town. The company owns an adjacent 10-acre parcel for future expansion. In addition to physical improvements, sales volume has grown by 25% in the last three years, including exclusive 'pouring rights' for school districts in Kenmore-Tonawanda, Lancaster and Lockport.

The Town of Tonawanda Development Corporation (TTDC) has retained Custom Graphics and Restyling, a town-based company, to refurbish its message board along the I-290 (Youngmann Highway). The sign, which should be installed before the end of the year, is intended to increase public awareness of economic development opportunities in the town. Using a removable message board, the TTDC will be able to convey general data, information about existing companies and special events or announcements (Source: TTDC).

Elmwood Tank and Piping Corp., a family business that dates to 1922, has been sold. The mechanical construction contracting company was bought by Gerard Sheldon, who is now the president and CEO of the company on Fire Tower Drive in Tonawanda. Sheldon had spent 19 years at Praxair, where he oversaw field construction contracts throughout the Southeast, Southwest and West Coast of the United States. The company, which employs 14, has a customer base that stretches throughout the Northeast, providing complete service and installation capabilities for its petroleum industry clients including piping, tank repair and installation, tank cleaning and waste disposal. (Source: Business First).

GM Officials Want to Meet With Giambra. Discussions with Giambra and county economic development representatives will center on a manufacturing site for a new generation of automotive engines, GM wants to know what state and local economic incentives might be offered if it chooses the Powertrain engine plant in the Town of Tonawanda (Source--Business First).

It has been reported that the General Motors Powertrain facility in the Town of Tonawanda is a leading candidate for production of the new 'Atlas' engine set to debut in 2002. The expansion (estimated at up to $500 million) would represent the largest single private sector investment in Erie County in the past 50 years and secure the jobs of some 4,000 local GM workers for the long-term. The facility was selected in 1996 to build a new 2.2-liter engine which went into production this year for Saturn's midsize sedan (Source: Buffalo News).

The ECIDA has received a request from area developer, Don Enderby, for a 7,500 sf. facility on Pearce Avenue for Preferred Medical Supply.  Enderby is seeking a $308,000 bond package. Preferred Medical will retain nine jobs and create another five once the expansion is finished (Source: Business First).

In other news, Business First has released its list of employers with 500 or more full-time employees. The Town of Tonawanda is host to eight: General Motors Powertrain (4,000); American Axle and Manufacturing (2,800); Dunlop Tire (1,494); DuPont (1,194), Ken-Ton School District (1,010); Praxair (975);  Kenmore Mercy Hospital (581); and the Town of Tonawanda (558).

London Norway Corporation leased 5,100 sf. of office/warehouse space at 1667 Military Road, Tonawanda to Mechanical Insulation Contractors, Inc (Source--Hunt Commercial Real Estate Record).

Dunlop Tire Corp., Tonawanda, receives low cost power allocation. The company's 6,000 KW power allocation will be transferred to a joint venture named Goodyear Dunlop Tires North America. The joint venture involves Goodyear Tire and Rubber and Sumitomo Rubber Industries. The joint venture will retain 1,439 jobs (Source--Business First, Nov. 1, 1999).

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