Archive: Around Town

New York State Senator Mike Nozzolio congratulated local grape growers on a record harvest this year, which will help support the continued growth of New York's job-producing wine and tourism industry. Growers across New York State are reporting record, high quality harvests and Nozzolio is encouraging local residents to visit our region's wineries.

"The Finger Lakes wine and tourism industry has become a driving force in our local economy," Nozzolio said. "It is estimated that, in addition to creating over 50,000 jobs in the Finger Lakes, the industry has a $2.7 billion economic impact on our region. This year's record harvest will continue to support the growth of our local, job-producing wine and tourism industry, while helping local growers expand production and increase sales."

Figures from this year's harvest are not yet available, but reports from across the State have been very positive, with many grape growers reporting record harvests and excellent quality grapes. Currently, New York ranks third nationally in wine and grape production.

Nozzolio has worked aggressively with local entrepreneurs, farmers, educators and businesses to promote the continued development of the Finger Lakes wine and tourism sector and led the effort to build the Finger Lakes Viticulture Center in Geneva at the Cornell Ag-Tech Park. The Center will serve as a permanent home for the Finger Lakes Community College Viticulture and Wine Technology Program - the only program of its kind in the Northeast United States.

The Ag-Tech Park location provides significant potential for the expansion of the viticulture program in the future through its direct partnership and affiliation with Cornell University. Finger Lakes Community College's Viticulture and Wine Technology curriculum will offer students a unique opportunity to be trained for employment opportunities for a variety of jobs in New York's wineries.

"As the art of winemaking continues to gain in popularity, we are witnessing an unprecedented growth in the number of wineries here in the Finger Lakes region and the construction of the Viticulture Center will support the continued growth of this important, job-producing industry," said Nozzolio. "As State Senator, I will continue my aggressive efforts to grow jobs and reduce the burden on our hardworking taxpayers to create a better future for our young people, friends and community."

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