By Pamela Fisher
Below are just a few of the many local businesses that have come to Washington County Local Development Corporation seeking advice, mentoring, planning help and/or financing to take the business to the next level. Each has a different reason to applaud the assistance they found there.
Eagle Bridge Custom Meat
Eagle Bridge Custom Meat, located at 139 Center Road in Eagle Bridge, is a family owned and operated USDA full-service meat processing facility. The business slaughters and processes meat for others who raise their own animals. Eagle Bridge has an onsite smokehouse, specializes in individual cuts of meat, and also sells specialty products such as sausage.
When the business wished to expand and add a USDA inspected slaughterhouse, it turned to the LDC to obtain financing for the expansion. Having federal certification enables farmers working with Eagle Bridge to grow their business, as they can sell their product anywhere in the US, stated owner Deb Ball.
“The LDC does a great job at showcasing small businesses and helping businesses to grow. Tori understands that the business’s success is not just about me making a living, but that we support all the people working for us, and all the farmers that work with us within the county. It is also very important for the region to be able to get the products processed and to the market so people can have access to local meat.”
For more information call (518) 677-2702 or visit www.eaglebridgecustommeat.com.
Adirondack Plastics and Paper Recycling
Adirondack Plastics and Paper Recycling, Inc., located at 453 County Route 45 in Argyle, is a full service plastics and paper recycler equipped with multiple shredding and grinding systems for a hands-on reprocessing of post-industrial plastic and paper scrap. Now housing over 120,000 sq. ft of warehousing, President John Aspland started the business more than twenty years ago out of a barn in his backyard. Aspland
approached the LDC for coordinating financing for a large expansion in 2002. As the business quickly grew, he sought help from the LDC again for an additional expansion in 2005. He states he regularly refers area businesses and entrepreneurs to the LDC for assistance.
“Most people starting don’t even know the LDC exists, and they have some really superior programs, especially for a new entrepreneur in today’s economy. During the Microenterprise Assistance Program, the LDC staff bends over backwards to work with students and make them understand the needs of their businesses so people can get the funding they need to be successful.”
For more information call (800) 797-2878 or visit www.plasticsworldwide.com.
Express Computer Restore
Express Computer Restore, located at 10 LaCrosse St. in Hudson Falls, restores and maintains healthy computers. Their restoration and tune-up services often double a computer’s life, remove viruses, and provide frustrated home users with faster internet speeds.
Prior to starting the business, owner Rick Van Lent built computer boards for a manufacturer that ended up closing its facility. As he questioned the next step in his career path, relatives and friends regularly approached him to assist with computer repair issues. Van Lent previously worked on jet engines and electronics technology while serving in the Navy, and drew upon this experience for computer repairs. While visiting the Washington County building to have his driver’s license renewed, Van Lent saw a flyer for the LDC’s Microenterprise Assistance Program. He applied and was accepted to the program, graduated in 2008, and received first year financing with the LDC’s assistance.
“When I graduated the class, I had all the elements I needed to run a good business. I had never run a business before and I thought to myself, Why stumble and fall when I can get the building blocks I need to be successful? MAP built my confidence. I learned how to build a business plan, and met like-minded individuals who were able to assist with budgeting and help me problem solve.”
For more information call (518) 747-5720 or visit www.expresscomputerrestore.com.
Argyle Cheese Farmer
Located at 990 Coach Rd. in Argyle, Argyle Cheese Farmer is in its fifth year. Owned by Marge and Dave Randles, the business uses milk produced on-site at the family farm to create high-quality yogurts and artisan cheeses. In addition to selling their products at an on-site store and online, products can be found in shops such as Rooted in Nature in South Glens Falls, Four Seasons in Glens Falls, and the Cambridge Co-Op. The business is also present in farmer’s markets throughout the area.
The LDC assisted the business with initial financing for equipment and real estate. Mrs. Randles has a long history with the LDC; prior to making cheese full time, she was a financial planner and taught accounting at the LDC’s Microenterprise Assistance Program.
“I think in this economy and in Washington County, we need to foster an entrepreneurial spirit, but also help people to be better entrepreneurs. The LDC helps provide information to help people make better decisions.”
For more information call (518) 638-8966 or visit www.cheesefarmer.com.
Manchester Wood
Manchester Wood, located at 1159 County Route 24 in Granville, has designed solid wood American furniture for over thirty years. The business’s plant is approximately 66,000 square feet in size and houses Manchester Wood’s office and outlet store, which offers wood furniture product seconds. The business manufactures solid wood furniture and accessories that are distributed through premier furniture stores, mail order, online catalogs, and also the business’s website.
President/Owner Ed Erickson reports working with the LDC since the business first moved to Granville. Manchester Wood initially received an equipment loan for a new finishing system. Most recently, the business reached out to the LDC for help with marketing and developing a retail website.
“With the Internet coming, and lower priced goods coming from China and Vietnam, it forced us to rethink our market. We have been hit hard with imports undercutting us, and it is not a level playing field globally, and that has hurt us. The Washington County LDC has assisted us most recently with a loan to develop our own retail website to help on our margins. We are very fortunate to have already seen a slight increase in business and we have hired about a half dozen people.”
For more information, call 1-800-660-6930 or visit www.manchesterwood.com.