The manufacturing transformation mini-grants were part of the Retool WNY initiative launched through the Accelerate the Southern Tier program, a multi-year grant funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. Dawson Metal, Weber Knapp, Anderson Precision, Stuart Tool & Die, Falconer Electronics, SKF and Blackstone Advanced Technologies have benefited from the grant program that ended in December 2024.

The funding supports companies that showed significant investment in purchasing equipment, conducting research and development or creating new supply chain opportunities for products/services in the clean energy/climate technology sector. The project effectively transforms their companies to accommodate the growing manufacturing needs of the clean energy sector.

“The Accelerate the Southern Tier grant has been an invaluable resource in supporting our community’s efforts to ‘retool’ and modernize our local industrial and commercial sectors,” said Kristofer Sellstrom, BPU Deputy General Manager-Electric. “Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of our community, and adapting to ensure its relevance and competitiveness in an evolving landscape is critical. Our Retool initiative, which enabled these mini-grants, is dedicated to achieving that goal. These mini-grants complement the broader Retool conferences, regional marketing initiatives, and the HVAC/BAS program at Jamestown Community College, creating a comprehensive approach to sustaining and advancing our local economy,” continued Sellstrom. “The BPU team is thankful for everyone that has helped with this initiative as it takes many small changes and a dedicated community working together to achieve long-term results.”

Ellen Ditonto, the BPU’s business development coordinator, has worked with companies throughout the Southern Tier to assess their ability to transform production lines to meet emerging clean energy sector needs. Insyte Consulting completed a detailed study as part of the NYSERDA grant. The analysis outlined the potential for existing manufacturers to expand into the clean energy sector through retooling, investments in research and development and direct outreach to companies looking for supply chain partners.

Stuart Tool Plant Manager George Watkins and PJ Degnan, Stuart Tool Vice President are shown with Ellen Ditonto, Jamestown BPU Business Development Coordinator during Retool WNY mini-grant check award presentation.

The Retool WNY initiative’s success over the last four years has included annual conferences on topics of interest to manufacturers, educators and suppliers. The Retool’25 Conference is planned for June 3rd. Details are available by contacting Ellen Ditonto at businessdev@jamestownbpu.com.

“Advancing local manufacturing, job creation and a robust supply chain helps to accelerate the pace of commercializing clean energy technologies. NYSERDA is proud to support the Jamestown BPU and the awarded companies in fostering innovation and economic growth across western New York,” said Stephen Bravo, NYSERDA commercialization director.

Dawson Metal, a custom sheet metal fabricator founded in 1946 and located in Jamestown, purchased a Haeger automated fastener machine. This equipment enables the manufacturer to make components for companies in the EV charging infrastructure and electric rail car assembly businesses. Dawson employs 100 people at its location on Allen Street.

Weber Knapp invested over three hundred hours in research and development and purchased new equipment to produce a line of hinges for refrigerators and freezers with greater energy efficiency standards. The first batch of hinges was produced in late 2024, and a second component line will be in production in two years. Weber Knapp expects to add two employees to assist with this new production work. The company is over one hundred years old and has two local production facilities, one on Chandler Street in Jamestown and a second on Allen Street Extension in Falconer.

Stuart Tool and Die, located in Falconer, purchased a Niagara stamping press, which provides new tooling options and the opportunity for new die builds requested by clean energy end customers. Stuart Tool has been building stamping dies for the solar industry, and the new equipment will allow the company to expand its capability to make stamped solar components. The company has added employees to assist with the projected increase in parts. If sales continue to trend upward due to increased production capability, three additional employees may be hired.

Falconer Electronics: Falconer Electronics President Roger Hall accepts the Retool WNY mini-grant check from Jamestown BPU Business Development Coordinator Ellen Ditonto. Looking on is Curt Anderson, B2Btail owner and marketing consultant.

Anderson Precision, situated on Livingston Avenue in Jamestown, has been in business since the late 1800s and services customers in the automotive, heavy truck and electric motors sectors. The company supports customer efforts to re-shore parts to North America and has started to produce a turned metal component for the battery cell in a Jeep hybrid model. The company has invested in tooling and fixtures to allow for one hundred percent optical quality inspection and test materials to meet the requirements for its end customer. The company has increased its employee count by two due to this new business opportunity.

Falconer Electronics has been in business for 40 years, manufacturing wire harness assemblies, ground straps and heavy-duty industrial power strips for large retail customers. Due to changes in the industry and foreign competition, owner Roger Hall realized the company needed to expand its ability to become connected to customers in the clean energy sector by using new marketing techniques. The company developed an enhanced online marketing profile with multiple software tools, allowing customers to build and customize parts in an online model.

This move by Falconer Electronics appealed to customers in the solar, wind and EV markets, and according to the owner, has been a game-changer. Ground straps and wiring harnesses are critical components to electric motors, inverters and other parts used in the clean energy sector. Falconer Electronics has seen a sizable increase in orders from companies seeking these parts with a “Made in America” label.

Blackstone Advanced Technologies used the grant funding to assist with purchasing a laser welder. The machine provides cleaner welds at a faster speed and has allowed Blackstone Advanced Technologies to produce parts for the climate technology sector, including enclosures used in wind power production.

“We are grateful to NYSERDA for its continuing support of our “Accelerate the Southern Tier” multi-year grant,” said BPU General Manager David L. Leathers, “especially regarding these recent mini-grants that have been awarded over the last several months to seven companies located in the Jamestown BPU electric service territory. We congratulate the local manufacturers that are retooling their production lines to meet the State’s goals of clean energy/climate technology.”

Jamestown BPU Business Development Coordinator Ellen Ditonto delivered Retool WNY mini-grant check to Jeff Parks, CEO of Dawson Metal.

Pictured L-R at the Retool WNY mini-grant check presentation is Blackstone Advanced Technologies CFO Sarah Drake; Senior Manufacturing Engineer & Facilities Manager Paul Silzle; Jamestown BPU Business Development Coordinator Ellen Ditonto; Blackstone Advanced Technologies Owner Heather Turner; Engineering Consultant Wayne Berg, and CEO Richard Turner.

Wayne Rishell, CFO, and Rhonda Johnson, President of Weber Knapp, accept Retool WNY mini-grant check from Jamestown BPU Business Development Coordinator Ellen Ditonto.