The new 26,400-square-foot facility is consolidating the subsidiaries of Weaver Materiel Service Inc., Naco Truck Leasing and Stannard Properties LLC on a 5.5-acre parcel. Construction of the new facility created approximately 60 temporary construction jobs with contractor Kessel Construction. The entire project cost approximately $2.9 million.

Construction of the Stannard Group’s new headquarters in the Mason Industrial Park, located in the town of Ellicott, was started in September. In May 2019, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency approved a 15-year payment in lieu of taxes incentive for the new construction project, which kept the Stannard Group in Chautauqua County, retaining 35 employees and creating one new job. The approval of funding for Stannard, who distributes foundry and turf consumable products, supported the building of a new warehouse and office facility in Mason Industrial Park.

“It was worth doing for the Weavers to keep them in the community,” said Rich Dixon, IDA chief financial officer.

Mark Geise, IDA CEO, said the facility is the first new build at a county industrial park in the last five years.

Dean Weaver, Stannard Group, discussing the construction of the Stannard Group's new facility in the Mason Industrial Park in the town of Ellicott Wednesday during a tour of the facility. P-J photo by Dennis Phillips

“As was communicated back in August 2019, the IDA explored a number of scenarios to assist Stannard with its consolidation efforts and construction of a new facility was the most viable option,” Geise said. “It was imperative to keep Stannard in our community and to assist it in making its operations more efficient versus trying to find an existing building that was neither the right size nor configuration for their purposes, or relocating outside of the county, region or state.”

Dean Weaver of the Stannard Group said the company spent two years trying to find a new location to consolidate the three businesses that each had its own location in the city of Jamestown. Weaver said it was difficult to build a company-wide team concept with employees of each of the three businesses being located separately.

“It was just very difficult to manage,” he said.

Fred Weaver started the business in 1944 after cashing in a life insurance policy and borrowing $1,000 from his mother’s uncle. Drew Weaver also works for the fourth generation family-owned company that was founded in Buffalo as Weaver Materiel Service and relocated to Jamestown in the mid-1950s.

In recent years, growth has provided opportunities for diversification, including the acquisition of Naco Truck Leasing Inc. in 2013 and formation of its real estate holdings group, Stannard Properties, in 2017.

County Executive PJ Wendel said the Weaver family and Stannard Group are integral members of the community, providing employment and attracting business to the region for decades.

“Hard work and dedication is what this family is about,” Wendel said. “Being here for four generations is a testament to your hard work.”

In addition to the PILOT agreement, the IDA also approved $984,000 AL Tech Loan and $75,000 Chautauqua Revolving Loan Fund to support the new construction project. Southern Tier Enterprise Development Organization approved a $100,000 loan and Western Region Corporation approved a $70,000 loan, both of which are administered through Southern Tier West Regional Planning & Development Board located in Salamanca. Along with the personal financial investment from the Weavers, M&T Bank provided the remainder of the financing for the project.

“This is a tremendous project for our county and our community,” said Pat McLaughling, Ellicott town supervisor. “Our pro-development approach in the town of Ellicott is bearing fruit as we continue to work collaboratively with the county, the IDA and other stakeholders to attract and retain businesses.”