Project Timeline

Former Beech-Nut Site Revitalization Process

In June 2011 both the County and Village to began the Beech-nut site revitalization process.

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Clean Up

Resolve ownership
100%
Complete environmental site assessment
100%
Remove asbestos-contaminated debris
95%
Demolish east side warehouse structures
95%
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Reuse Planning

Conduct community outreach
80%
Gather community and stakeholder goals and vision
80%
Develop reuse concepts and reuse planning summary
20%
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Feasibility

Conduct targeted market analysis
50%
Perform structural assessment of Church Street buildings
50%
Refine reuse concepts
30%
Share with redevelopment experts for input
40%
Develop master plan
30%
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Implementation

Build awareness of site plan and opportunities
40%
Adopt policies and codes compatible with master plan
30%
Secure funding
80%
Market property for redevelopment
20%
Solicit developer proposals
30%

Project History

June, 2010

Beech-Nut Relocation

Beech-Nut relocated to new state of the art facility in the Town of Florida.

June, 2010

2013

Beech-Nut Site Sold

Former Beech-Nut facility sold to Ohio developer for potential site redevelopment.

2013

2014

Beech-Nut Site Abandoned

$2 million in back taxes owed.

2014

February, 2016

Exit 29 Task Force

County Executive establishes Exit 29 Task Force to bring stakeholders together to review the site.

February, 2016

August, 2016

Environmental Work Begins

Environmental assessment work begins on the former Beech-Nut site before EPA funds from TBA.

August, 2016

December, 2016

LWRP Grant Secured

County Receives $85K LWRP (Local Waterfront Revitalization Program) Grant.

December, 2016

August, 2016

Public Meeting Held

County & Village host Public Meeting for community outreach and public input.

August, 2016

January, 2017

Restore NY Grant Secured

Montgomery County receives a $500K Restore NY Grant.

January, 2017

February, 2017

National Grid Grant Secured

Montgomery County receives $300,000 grant from National Grid.

February, 2017

July, 2017

Montgomery County Forecloses

With $2 million in back taxes owed, Montgomery County foreclosed on the site and took ownership.

July, 2017

March, 2018

$5 million grant was announced with the $1 million in March 2018

Village of Canajoharie – $6,000,000 – The only project in New York State to receive a “special project” designation, this award will allow for the demolition of abandoned and condemned warehouse space at the former Beech-Nut facility, that sits on a 26.9 acre parcel of land, creating a 15-acre shovel-ready site.

Learn more about this.

March, 2018

Spring, 2018

East Side Demolition

East side structures near Exit 29 off ramp demolished and site cleaned, leaving bare concrete slabs.

Spring, 2018

May, 2018

County & EPA Collaborate

County & EPA Collaborate to remove debris piles located on the exterior of the former Beech-Nut facility.

May, 2018

July, 2018

Engineering Firm Hired

Engineering Firm LiRo hired to conduct an engineering study to determine the cost to demolish remaining structures at the former Beech-Nut facility.

July, 2018

October, 2018

Community Outreach & RFEI

Meetings are held to engage the community for input on future use. Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) are solicited by the Exit 29 Task Force.

October, 2018

January, 2019

Demolition Firm Hired

Binghamton-based demolition contractor Gorick is hired to remove the remaining structures on the east side of the Beech-Nut site. 

January, 2019

May, 2019

Website Launched

Exit29Project.com website Launched to Enhance Redevelopment Efforts

May, 2019

August, 2019

Demolition Continues

Demolition of East Side structures completed by Gorick.

August, 2019

August, 2019

Cleanup & Planning

Asbestos Abatement RFP Issued, Contractors Tour Site.

August, 2019

October, 2019

Apollo Dismantling Services, LLC. Selected

Montgomery County Legislature Selects Apollo Dismantling Services, LLC., for Further Demolition and Asbestos Abatement Work.

October, 2019

November, 2019

Further Debris Removal

National Grid Grant Paid for Debris Removal.

November, 2019

November, 2019

Billboards Installed

Exit 29 Redevelopment Billboard Installed.

November, 2019

January, 2020

Asbestos Remediation

Asbestos Remediation & Abatement Begun.

January, 2020

August, 2020

Canajoharie Village Board Updated

County Executive Ossenfort Provides Site Update to Public Canajoharie Village Board Members.

August, 2020

October, 2020

Second Round of Asbestos Abatement

Second Round of Asbestos Abatement Work Completed.

October, 2020

April, 2021

Signing of Purchase-and-Sale agreement with E29 Labs for 19.6 acres

In April 2021, following New York State’s passage of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) Montgomery County entered into a Purchase-and-Sale agreement with E29 Labs, a prospective commercial cannabis production company.

The investment, which would encompass 19.6 acres of the 26.9 acre site, has the potential to realize significant private investment by the company, as well as the creation of union manufacturing, office and executive support employment opportunities. Returning the property to private ownership will also help generate critical new revenue streams for Montgomery County as well as the Village and Town of Canajoharie.

Learn More

April, 2021

December, 2022

Montgomery County Set To Award Contract For Next Phase Of Demolition For Former Beech-Nut Plant

Montgomery County has authorized an agreement with Ritter & Paratore Contracting that includes demolition of 22 buildings, as well as the canopy structures over the former northern and southern loading docks at the vacant Exit 29 site.

“This is one of the few remaining hurdles for the redevelopment of this important property,” said County Executive Matthew Ossenfort in a statement. “It’s been a long road, but we’ve been making marked progress toward having a site ready for redevelopment.”

Learn More

December, 2022

Grant Summary

Received Grants Amount
NYS DOS LWRP $85,000
Restore NY $500,000
National Grid Brownfield Redevelopment $300,000
Restore NY $1,000,000
Restore NY Special Project (Only in NYS) $5,000,000
Total: $6,885,000

Project Resources

Project Overview

Learn more about the Exit 29 Redevelopment project, view the site plan and more.

Site Conditions​

26.9 acres and 35 structures are available for development and the site is electric and water ready.

Use Considerations

The Exit 29 site offers exciting developer opportunities along with direct NYS Thruway access.

Unlimited Potential

The former Beech-Nut site located at Exit 29 on the NYS Thruway in upstate New York offers unlimited potential for development across numerous industries from commercial and industrial uses to residential housing and entertainment venues. The Exit 29 Redevelopment Project is fully supported both by Montgomery County and village residents who are eager to welcome the right developer to their vibrant and enthusiastic community.

From breathtaking local scenery to a passionate community there is no better development opportunity in upstate New York.

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