While a couple of retail businesses shut their doors within the last two weeks and at least two longtime dining and drinking establishments are looking to sell, companies are still looking to Bayonne to either set up warehouse operations or expand them, city officials said last week.
AP&G, Fluitec, Wind, Gel Spice, and Royal Wine are beginning to invest, or continuing to invest, in Bayonne because of the benefits they feel the city offers.
Fluitec Wind, which deals with wind turbines and mechanical lubricants, moved into the old Brass Foundry site in early August, bringing 30 employees.
“They consolidated their operations and are headquartered in Bayonne now,” said Business Administrator Joseph DeMarco.
AP&G, a maker of professional products for the pest control industry, has moved into a Lexington Avenue building downtown, bringing at least 75 employees, DeMarco said. AP&G makes products like flying-insect traps and glue traps for rodents.
It’s a good neighbor and a “green” company, according to DeMarco.
“They’re very efficient; there’s no chemical processing, no smell,” he said.
AP&G spokesman Steven Frisch said his company moved into Bayonne because of incentives offered by the state of New Jersey.
To receive those state tax credits, the company must bring jobs to the city and stay here for 15 years.
“We create jobs, we create business in New Jersey, and they give us tax credits for the business we created,” Frisch said. “It’s definitely exciting. We’re looking forward to it.”
Royal Wine also has invested more in Bayonne, expanding its warehouse. The company has operations on both Coleman and Lefante ways. The company is said to be the largest producer, importer, and distributor of kosher wines and spirits in the world. It is also a wholesale distributor and owner of kosher food products.
“It’s definitely exciting. We’re looking forward to it.” – Steven Frisch
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Gel seeking to expand
The Gel Spice Company on New Hook Road, a manufacturer and importer of spices, seeds, and bakery ingredients, is also looking to ramp up its local operations. It’s currently talking with city officials about how it would expand, since adjacent properties are city owned.
“They’re talking to us about how they can become a bigger business within the city,” DeMarco said.
Best Food site interest
The city has received inquiries about the availability of the former Best Food property in the southwest section, near Avenue A. That also would be for warehousing.
“We should be in a position in the next month as to what is happening there,” DeMarco said. “That’s still up in the air.”
Industrial and technology companies are showing interest in Bayonne due to its proximity to New York City and its lower leasing prices, Municipal Services Director Robert Wondolowski said. That trend seems to be continuing.
Wondolowski said he has also been working to attract companies with between 60 and 120 employees, particularly in the technology sector, in an effort to turn the city into a small tech center.
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com. To comment on this story online visit www.hudsonreporter.com.