Ellenville business receives an Upstate Blueprint Award.

Ellenville, NY- County Executive Hein today announced the award of an Upstate Regional Blueprint Grant for Canal Street Cutlery which will result in a product line expansion, investment in new equipment, and the creation of 8 jobs in the Village of Ellenville. The $75,000 grant, given to the Ulster County knife manufacturing company by the Empire State Development Corporation, will be fully disbursed when the company meets its job creation goals.

"This is a good day for Ellenville and a good day for Ulster County," said County Executive Mike Hein. "I am so pleased that Ulster County was able to leverage Empire State Development Corporation resources to support a local manufacturer. Targeted business assistance has a direct and positive impact in communities like Ellenville that have been hit hard by the recent economic downturn. Canal Street Cutlery is a valuable member of the Ellenville business community and I am encouraged we could help expand its employment base."

"Canal Street Cutlery cannot thank County Executive Hein enough for his assistance in helping us to obtain this grant," said Canal Street Cutlery President and CEO Walter Gardiner. "With his assistance, our company will continue to grow as we develop our new product line. I am grateful that Canal Street Cutlery can continue to thrive and grow in Ulster County"

"Empire State Development is pleased to have offered support to Canal Street Cutlery, a business with rich heritage in the Mid-Hudson region," said Empire State Development Mid-Hudson Regional Director Susan Jaffe. "We'd like to acknowledge the hard work of County Executive Mike Hein, who facilitated coordination between the State and our local partners, and congratulate everyone on this successful outcome for Ellenville and for the region."

"Ellenville is thrilled by this business expansion," said Village of Ellenville Mayor Jeff Kaplan. "Retaining and growing businesses such as Canal Street Cutlery is the key to economic revitalization in the Village of Ellenville."

"This is positive news for the Village of Ellenville," said Village of Ellenville Manager and County Legislator Mary Sheeley. "Canal Street Cutlery is a great local business and I am very pleased to see them growing their business in Ellenville. I commend County Executive Hein for working closely with Canal Street Cutlery to ensure their continued business growth in the Village of Ellenville."

"I applaud County Executive Hein’s advocacy for an Upstate Blueprint award to a growing business in the Village of Ellenville," said Town of Wawarsing Supervisor Leonard Distel. "It is about time that New York State recognizes the difficulties that communities such as Ellenville face in this economy."

Canal Street Cutlery is a specialty knife manufacturer located in Ellenville, NY. The company was started by a former Imperial Schrade employee, Walter Gardiner. It has been in operation since 2004, selling collectors’ knives to companies such as Cabela’s and A.G. Russell.

Canal Street Cutlery recently introduced a product line. To meet the demand for this line, Canal Street Cutlery must add equipment and staff at the Ellenville location. This $75,000 grant will allow Canal Street Cutlery to support their new product line. Under the terms of the grant they will be adding eight additional staff by 2014. Canal Street Cutlery currently has 12 full-time employees.

Go to www.canalstreetcutlery.com to view the full line of other products manufactured by Canal Street Cutlery in Ulster County.