IDA Funding Helps Two Westchester Businesses Grow

WHITE PLAINS-Several Westchester businesses have decided to expand their operations here rather than relocate outside of the county, due in part to some financial assistance from Westchester County government.

The two companies are a window and door installation business and a uniform sales company that sought tax exemptions from the IDA to help with the costs of remodeling and equipping their new offices. The companies are among the first to benefit from a new IDA program that specifically targets small- and medium-size businesses, IDA officials say.

“These firms may well have chosen to go somewhere else–possibly out of state–if we hadn’t stepped up and offered benefits,” says IDA Chairman William Mulrow. “We firmly believe that these projects will provide substantial employment, capital investment and an increase in the property tax base.”

Airmaster Corp., a window and door sales and installation firm, which currently operates out of offices at 550 Mamaroneck Ave., in Harrison, plans to purchase and renovate a 16,500-sf building at 615 Fifth Ave., in Larchmont. The company was approved for $980,000 in mortgage tax exemptions to help with its efforts to consolidate its operations at one location by mid-January. Currently, the firm operates two additional facilities in New Jersey and the Bronx. The relocation will improve efficiency and allow the company to more than double its 15-member workforce, according to Airmaster’s application filed with the IDA.

In addition, the IDA assisted S&H Uniform Corp., which outgrew its leased Port Chester space and was looking to move its uniform warehousing and distribution business to a larger location. Although the firm had received some relocation offers from out of state, the company now plans to purchase 41,000 sf of space at One Aqueduct Road in White Plains. In return, S&H’s application for $39,000 in mortgage and sales tax exemptions was approved by the IDA, which will help finance the renovation of its new headquarters property. The family-owned business expects to add five more jobs to its current full-time staff of 36 over the next 18 months.