Feldmeier Equipment, a fabricator of stainless steel storage and processing equipment, plans to invest $8m to build a new 50,000ft² manufacturing facility in the Herkimer County city of Little Falls.

The project also involves up-gradation of machinery and equipment at Syracuse headquarters and existing Little Falls facility.

Empire State Development (ESD) is supporting the expansion and upgrades with a total investment of $750,000 through the combination of a capital grant ($200,000) and Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits ($550,000).

Feldmeier Equipment president Robert Feldmeier Jr said: "We are excited to be staying and expanding here in Little Falls and are very appreciative of the State and local officials who worked hard to keep us here to continue our long tradition of manufacturing in the Mohawk Valley. As family run business, we have a long history in Upstate New York and are committed to keeping it that way."

Feldmeier’s expansion supports the food and beverage industries, including New York companies such as Chobani, FAGE, Matt Brewing and Brooklyn Brewery.

Together these projects will allow the company to be more competitive and help it maintain a strong presence in the Northeast.

The expansion will result in the creation of 80 new jobs and the retention of nearly 300 existing jobs in New York State.

Governor Cuomo said: "The creation of this new facility and added investment in the company’s existing local operations not only support the creation and retention of nearly 400 jobs, but it also furthers the commitment that this family-run company has made to New York State and our other industries such as breweries and yogurt producers."