The following is from the Brooklyn Eagle:

Empire State Development (ESD) announced that Mesorah Publications, an internationally recognized publisher of Jewish literature known for producing ArtScroll, will retain 101 jobs and create seven new jobs through a $1.3 million investment in new machinery, equipment and building renovations for its facility in Sunset Park.

ArtScroll is an imprint of religious translations, books and commentaries from an Orthodox Jewish perspective.

Mesorah will utilize a $120,000 capital grant from Empire State Development, along with previously approved tax benefits from the New York City Industrial Development Agency (NYCIDA) to assist with costs of its renovations.

“The expansion of Mesorah Publications demonstrates that under the strong leadership of Governor Cuomo, New York is once again using its unique local assets to create jobs and rebuild our economy. Our investment in successful small businesses like Mesorah will go a long way toward improving New York’s business climate and kick-starting our economic recovery,” said Kenneth Adams, commissioner and CEO of the Empire State Development Corp (ESDC).

Mesorah Publications President Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz said, “All of the principals of Mesorah were born, raised and educated in Brooklyn. We are proud that with the help of the ESD grant and IDA assistance, we will be able to continue to thrive in Brooklyn. We would never have been able to remain in the Sunset Park area without the visionary assistance that these New York programs have offered us.”

Prior to reaching an agreement with New York state and city, Mesorah undertook a site search for new space in New Jersey, looking specifically at locations in Cartaret, Elizabeth, Hillside and Edison, where it was poised to take advantage of New Jersey’s Business Employment Incentive Program (BEIP). However, despite the prospect of attractive out-of-state incentives, Mesorah Publications held firm to its desire to remain in New York.

The $1.3 million Empire State project consists primarily of the purchase of new machinery and equipment and the renovation of Mesorah Publications’ current facility. Through a separate transaction approved in June, the NYCIDA issued nearly $1 million in benefits that will assist the company with refinancing an existing mortgage and other capital and soft costs with a bank loan. The NYCIDA tax exemptions include mortgage recording tax, sales tax, building tax and land tax abatement.

NYCIDA Chairman Seth W. Pinky said, “We are pleased to have worked together with the state to secure financing for Mesorah Publications, which will allow them to create or retain hundreds of crucial jobs here in the city. This partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to job creation that will not only benefit the local economy of Sunset Park and South Brooklyn, but will also lead to economic growth all across the city and state.”

Mesorah Publications, Ltd. was established in 1976 and was originally located in a small building on Coney Island Avenue in Flatbush. Not long after its founding, the company relocated to the first of three buildings where — along with its bindery affiliate, Sefercraft Inc. — it continues to operate in Sunset Park. Over the years, Mesorah Publications has grown to occupy three connected buildings at the same address.

State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery said, “I am very happy to learn that Mesorah Publications will continue and expand its operations at their Sunset Park location. This company provides good jobs for the community and I am grateful the ESDC has been able to structure a package that preserves this internationally important publisher and retailer.”

(Source: Brooklyn Eagle)