Irving Tissue receives $500,000 National Grid grant | Business

National Grid in upstate New York is awarding a $500,000 economic development grant to Irving Tissue, Inc. of Fort Edward to offset the costs of upgrading electric service at Irving Tissue’s expanded facility.

National Grid provides economic development grants and other incentives to businesses within its market area to foster economic growth.

The award comes from National Grid’s Capital Investment Incentive grant program which provides funding to support business expansion projects located in National Grid’s upstate New York service territory. The grant is awarded to those applicants who plan projects that will improve National Grid’s electric or natural gas system, such as line extensions or upgrades to transmission lines or distribution feeders, that require a customer contribution; conduit, trenching, and backfill associated with National Grid owned infrastructure; customer owned substations and related equipment where a new or expanding customer increases their service.

“Supporting the upstate New York economy and jobs is at the core of National Grid’s commitment to the communities we serve,” said Susan Crossett, National Grid vice president of economic development and community investment in a prepared statement.” We applaud Irving Tissue on this major expansion project, and are pleased to be their partner in success.”

The Irving Tissue project included demolition of nine buildings, construction of three new buildings, a new paper machine and the new 115kV substation and upgraded gas service, all part of a $150 million expansion.  

“We are committed to sustaining and growing jobs at our Fort Edward plant,” said Robert Irving, president of Irving Consumer Products. “This is an investment in our future and the skilled men and women at Fort Edward have made it possible with their commitment to superior quality and outstanding customer service. Since acquiring this plant in August 1996 we have grown to a team of 325 full time employees. We appreciate the vote of confidence from National Grid. Their grant and dedicated efforts were key to the success of modernizing our energy infrastructure required for this project. This current expansion has meant over 485,000 man hours of work for contractors. About 1,300 contractors have been employed throughout the course of this project.”