 All photos courtesy of Alden Pellett Photography |
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Rouses Point, NY – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today joined with Akrimax Pharmaceuticals Inc. Chairman Joseph Krivulka, and Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas, to tour the Akrimax facility in Rouses Point. Senator Clinton played a key role in helping to bring Akrimax to the Wyeth facility in Rouses Point following the announcement that Wyeth would be closing the manufacturing facility in 2008. The decision by Akrimax to come to Rouses Point will allow the local economy to retain approximately 800 jobs, and will help preserve one of the largest pharmaceutical manufacturing operations in New York State.
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“In 2005 when Wyeth announced they would be closing operation at the plant it could have been a devastating blow to the region, but the people of Rouses Point saw it as an opportunity and a call to action,” said Senator Clinton. “With the assistance of Garry Douglas and the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce we were able to show Akrimax that there was a top-notch operation and dedicated workforce waiting in Rouses Point for the right company to move in. This is a victory for the North Country and for the hundreds of dedicated employees who depend on the success of this facility. I am proud to have had the opportunity to help make this connection, and I am glad that our hard work has resulted in a solution that benefits Akrimax and the local community.”
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“Senator Clinton personally engaged with our entire team from day one, helping to maximize benefits for the Wyeth employees while also helping us to market the facility. Within months, she called us at the Chamber to connect us with Joe Krivulka and his partners and the rest is now history. Make no mistake. This was an extremely complicated deal and we were in direct competition with sites in other states. But she was right there, along with our other state and federal partners, every step of the way lending support and encouragement,” said Garry Douglas, President of the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce. “And the North Country needs to know that she continually calls us with prospects and contacts, and reaches out to prospective companies for us whenever asked, including an aerospace company just last week.”
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“Senator Clinton was our first call when we considered acquiring this North Country facility. We are deeply grateful for her strong support and look forward to an ongoing relationship as we fulfill the legacy of manufacturing excellence at this facility,” said Joseph Krivulka, Chairman of Akrimax Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The announcement in late 2005 that the Wyeth Pharmaceutical operations would be closing could have been a devastating blow to the village of Rouses Point and the entire region. Following the Wyeth announcement, Senator Clinton worked closely with Gary Douglas and a team of others to help find a dynamic company to come in and assume operations at the plant. After having met with Akrimax to discuss bringing their business to the North Country, Senator Clinton was able to facilitate the connection between the emerging pharmaceutical company, the area’s local leaders and the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce. Senator Clinton and her staff maintained this relationship throughout the process in order to assist Akrimax and the community with issues related to the transition.
During a two-year transition period, Akrimax will lease a portion of the manufacturing facilities to Wyeth, and Wyeth will continue operations until Akrimax integrates its own products into the facility’s operations. Akrimax will eventually hire nearly 800 employees from Wyeth. If a suitable company had not been found to take over operations, the closing would have resulted in the loss of hundreds of jobs and the need to redevelop a plant of considerable size.