Another deciding factor might have been the minimum wage levels each community requested. Bioberica, a privately owned company, is gearing up for its move to Geneva to begin producing chondroitin sulphate. It is obtained from beef by-products and plays an important role as a protective agent of joints, cartilage repair, dermatology and cosmetics, as well as other possible benefits. The company exports products to more than 40 countries. Downs said the local economic development corporation did not recruit Bioberica and had been unaware of its interest in this area.
Efforts are under way, however, to recruit other new industry to the Grand Island area.
But, as with Metal Tech, he said he cannot comment specifically on them until negotiations are complete. Downs, who joined the economic development corporation last year, added that the practice of offering incentives is relatively new to Grand Island. As he waits to see if those resources will be forthcoming, Downs said he is not unduly troubled at losing out to Geneva on the Metal Tech deal. This time we didn't. While Geneva seems to be on the recruitment fast track for now, Downs doesn't see that community as being a long-range competitor for new industry.