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New York Wine & Grape Foundation Praises Cuomo Budget Proposal
The New York Wine & Grape Foundation applauds the Executive Budget released on January 17 by Governor Andrew Cuomo, particularly for its strong support of New York agriculture including the New York Wine & Grape Foundation.
The budget proposal includes $713,000 in funds for the Foundation, the same as in the past year, as well as funding for other important agricultural initiatives like the New York Apple Association, Pro-Dairy, Integrated Pest Management, and the Geneva Experiment Station. The Cuomo proposal is by far the most pro-agriculture budget initiative of the past several years.
"We applaud Governor Cuomo for recognizing the importance of agricultural economic development to the vibrancy of the State's economy, and his leadership in proposing these programs," said Jim Trezise, President of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation. "He has assembled a top team of agricultural adocates such as Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Darrel Aubertine and Assistant Secretary for Agriculture & Markets Jackie Moody-Czub, and their positive contributions are clear."
The New York Wine & Grape Foundation is the only statewide organization representing the grape, grape juice and wine industry. It was created by unanimous vote of the State legislature and signed into law in 1985 by then-Governor Mario M. Cuomo during an economic crisis in the grape and wine industry. The Foundation's status as the exclusive organization to receive and manage State funds for promotion and research was reaffirmed by the Wine Market Fund law of 2004.
Since the Foundation's creation in 1985, the public-private partnership has transformed the once-struggling industry into a major economic engine, and the fastest growing industry in the agriculture and tourism sectors. From fewer than 50 wineries in 1985, the industry has grown to over 315 in 55 of New York's 62 counties including Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. Tourist visits to wineries have multiplied from fewer than 340,000 to over 5,000,000, bringing benefits to hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, limousine services, restaurants, gift shops, gas stations, and State and local tax coffers. The grape and wine industry is a major money-maker for the State, generating more than $3.76 billion in economic benefits annually.
"Our industry is a powerful engine for economic development," said Trezise. "Every new winery means new investment, new jobs, new tourism, and new taxes, and the economic benefits touch many sectors from real estate to construction, manufacturing and packaging."
The grape and wine industry also invests in its own future by matching the State dollars for research and promotion programs which the Foundation manages. In addition, the Foundation and two other grape-focused organizations have petitioned Agriculture Commissioner Aubertine to begin the process for a Research and Development Order which will provide more reliable private-sector funding for research in the future.
Since its creation in 1985, the Foundation has been recognized nationally and internationally for its innovative and successful programs, and for its productive partnership with the State of New York.
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