Empire State Development (ESD) has announced the grand opening of Graft Cider’s new $1.3 million production facility, The Orchard, in Newburgh.
Graft Cider has redeveloped the former Powder Creek Mill textile manufacturing complex to grow its manufacturing operations into a 16,000 square foot production and distribution facility with a dedicated testing lab and equipment to ensure better tracking and quality control.
“Graft Cider’s expansion contributes to the growth of the region’s vibrant food and beverage sector, and further supports the Mid-Hudson Region’s strong agribusiness industry,” Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said. “The company’s adaptive reuse of a former textile mill into a modern cidery will attract visitors and welcome residents to explore and experience Newburgh and its surrounding communities. Cheers to Graft’s continued success!”
Graft Cider Owner Kyle Sherrer said, “We are thrilled to announce that The Orchard, our new production cidery that makes our in-house brands of Hudson North Cider, Graft Cider, and Ritual Hard Kombucha, is finally opening its doors! This new project will create job opportunities for the local community while also expanding our brands. We can’t wait to welcome visitors to our taproom and become a destination for Orange County and Newburgh.”
Graft Cider produces a robust portfolio of artisan ciders and all-natural wine spritzers, and this new facility will allow the company to house larger tanks that increase production capacity to accommodate growing demand. Overall quality will improve by substituting jacketed stainless-steel fermenters for the existing plastic fermenters currently used, improving sanitation and providing greater temperature control. By implementing these changes, product consistency is expected to increase from 80% to 95%. Empire State Development has agreed to support this project with a $264,000 capital grant, recommended by the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council. As part of this expansion, Graft Cider will create eight new jobs and retain 13 existing full-time positions.
“It’s exciting to see Graft Cider expand from its original Ann Street location into a 16,000 square foot location and still remain in the City of Newburgh,”
Assemblymember Jonathan G. Jacobsen said. The new facility will create jobs and help in the revitalization of Newburgh. “It is heartening to see that Empire State Development recognized the importance of this business with its capital grant to help Graft Cider build its new $1.3 million production facility.”
Newburgh City Manager Todd Venning said, “Graft Cider’s $1.3 million expanded production facility will provide one of our most valued small businesses the opportunity to grow right here at home in the City of Newburgh, while breathing new life into the former Powder Creek Mill manufacturing facility. This is a tremendous win for Newburgh’s flourishing craft beverage industry and for all city residents. We look forward to the final build out of the tasting room where Newburgh will soon welcome visitors for tastings of Graft Cider on the banks of the Quassaick Creek. We are grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul, Empire State Development, and the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council for their partnership and commitment to expanding economic opportunities in the City of Newburgh and all of Orange County.”
New York State is home to more than 125 licensed cideries, a national leader according to the New York Cider Association. Its latest study reports that cideries in New York generate an economic impact of $1.7 billion and support more than 6,100 jobs, making cideries a pillar of the state’s economy. New York also ranks in the top five in the U.S. for its number of craft beverage producers in every category. second in craft distillers and breweries, and fourth in the country for the total number of wineries.