Deckorators Opens $77M Manufacturing Plant in Lackawanna, NY
Western New York Lands a Major Win as Michigan Composite Decking Giant Plants Its First New York Flag in Erie County
The Deckorators manufacturing plant in Lackawanna, NY is now open for business, and it is already reshaping the economic landscape of Western New York. On June 25, 2026, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the grand opening of a $77.2 million state-of-the-art facility at 300 Commerce Drive in Lackawanna, marking the first time Michigan-based Deckorators Inc. has set up operations anywhere in New York State. The 253,310-square-foot facility will create approximately 50 skilled jobs and signals a powerful new chapter for a city with deep manufacturing roots.
Why the Deckorators Manufacturing Plant Matters for Western New York
Lackawanna has long been defined by its industrial past. For decades, the city was synonymous with steel production. However, like many Rust Belt communities, it faced the painful reality of deindustrialization. This new facility breathes fresh economic life into that legacy.
The project involved renovating an existing 168,310-square-foot industrial building and adding a new 19,000-square-foot structure. Rather than building on greenfield land, Deckorators chose to invest in an existing industrial footprint, a decision that reflects both economic pragmatism and community commitment.
According to www.governor.ny.gov, the $77.2 million capital investment breaks down as follows:
- $52.5 million for advanced manufacturing equipment
- $8.9 million for facility construction
- $7.57 million for infrastructure upgrades
- $6.75 million for property acquisition
- $1.5 million in soft costs
The bulk of that investment, more than two-thirds, went directly into manufacturing equipment. That tells you something important: this is a serious, long-term production commitment, not a warehouse operation dressed up as manufacturing.
What Deckorators Actually Makes and Why It Chose Lackawanna
The Surestone Technology Advantage
Deckorators is a subsidiary of UFP Industries (NASDAQ: UFPI), a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based holding company founded in 1955. The company is best known for its patented Surestone technology, a mineral-based composite decking material made primarily from crushed limestone.
Unlike traditional wood-composite decking, Surestone contains no wood fiber. That means it resists bending, bowing, and warping. It also absorbs less heat than conventional decking and offers superior slip resistance, making it attractive to both DIY homeowners and commercial builders.
Previously, Surestone technology was manufactured exclusively at a facility in Selma, Alabama. The Lackawanna plant represents a strategic Northeast expansion designed to meet growing demand across the region more efficiently.
The Northeast Market Pull
Deckorators Executive Vice President Ryan Kemp explained the company’s thinking clearly. “This state-of-the-art facility represents a critical milestone in our Northeast expansion strategy, allowing us to meet aggressive customer demand by initially doubling our manufacturing capacity for Surestone technology,” Kemp said. “Lackawanna offers a fantastic community partner and a site with rich manufacturing history.”
The facility also features a dedicated multi-branch CSX rail spur for high-volume inbound delivery of raw materials. That infrastructure investment suggests the company plans to operate at significant scale from day one.
The Public Investment Behind the Private Win
Large-scale manufacturing projects rarely happen without public support, and this one is no exception. Several state and local agencies contributed incentives to help close the deal.
State and Local Incentive Package
Empire State Development (ESD) is providing up to $724,000 in performance-based tax credits through the Excelsior Jobs Program. Importantly, these are performance-based credits, meaning Deckorators must actually create and sustain the promised jobs to receive the full benefit.
The Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA) approved $1.82 million in sales and property tax incentives over a 10-year period. Additionally, the New York Power Authority previously awarded the company 2,080 kilowatts of low-cost Niagara hydropower to support the expansion. National Grid is providing supplemental utility assistance.
In total, the public incentive package amounts to roughly $2.54 million in direct financial support against a $77.2 million private investment. That is a public-to-private leverage ratio of approximately 1 to 30, which by any standard measure represents strong value for taxpayers.
What Officials Are Saying
ESD President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight framed the project in broader terms. “By transforming a historic industrial site into a state-of-the-art facility, this project brings 50 high-quality jobs and millions in private investment to the region,” Knight said. “Empire State Development is proud to support this expansion, which further solidifies New York State as a premier hub for next-generation industrial growth.”
New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll highlighted the role of affordable energy. “Deckorators’ expansion project, supported by low-cost NYPA hydropower, represents a significant investment in Western New York that will energize and reinforce the region’s manufacturing momentum,” Driscoll said.
Lackawanna Mayor Annette Lafallo offered perhaps the most grounded perspective. “This $77 million project is a massive win for our community, turning an existing industrial footprint into a vibrant, active powerhouse that puts 50 of our neighbors to work,” she said.
50 Jobs: Modest in Number, Meaningful in Context
Some readers may look at 50 jobs and wonder whether the fanfare is proportionate. That is a fair question worth addressing directly.
Fifty skilled manufacturing jobs in a mid-sized city like Lackawanna carry significant weight. These are production, logistics, and administrative roles in a sector that typically offers wages above the regional median. Furthermore, manufacturing jobs generate multiplier effects. According to the Economic Policy Institute, each manufacturing job supports an estimated 1.4 additional jobs in local service industries.
Moreover, this facility establishes Deckorators’ first New York State presence. If the Northeast expansion succeeds, additional hiring and investment become realistic possibilities. The 50-job figure is a floor, not a ceiling.
What This Means for the Mohawk Valley Region
While the Deckorators plant sits in Lackawanna rather than the Mohawk Valley proper, its significance resonates across Upstate New York. Western New York manufacturing success stories send a clear signal to other companies evaluating the region: New York can compete for industrial investment.
The Mohawk Valley has pursued a similar playbook in recent years, attracting semiconductor and advanced manufacturing investment through coordinated state and local incentive packages. The Deckorators deal reinforces that this approach is working across the broader Upstate corridor.
Additionally, the use of Niagara hydropower as an economic development tool is directly relevant to communities throughout Upstate New York. Affordable, clean energy remains one of the region’s most competitive advantages in attracting energy-intensive manufacturing operations.
For readers interested in regional economic development trends, our coverage of Mohawk Valley economic development and Upstate New York manufacturing provides additional context on how these investments connect across the region.
Voices from the Community
State Senator April N.M. Baskin connected the project to Lackawanna’s broader identity. “For generations, Lackawanna has been a city built by hardworking men and women. From its history as a center of steel production to today’s advanced manufacturing economy, the opening of Deckorators’ new facility honors that legacy and creates new opportunities for the future of Western New York workers,” Baskin said.
Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz emphasized the collaborative nature of the deal. “This $77 million investment is the result of close teamwork and dialogue between Deckorators and numerous partners, including ESD and ECIDA with support from others, to make today a reality,” Poloncarz said.
Assemblymember Patrick Burke kept it simple. “Lackawanna was built by working people, and projects like this make sure its future is built by working people too,” Burke said.
The Bigger Picture: New York’s Manufacturing Comeback
Governor Hochul framed the Deckorators opening within a larger economic narrative. “New York is continuing to grow its manufacturing economy by attracting companies that are investing in our communities and creating skilled jobs and supporting local suppliers,” Hochul said. “Deckorators’ decision to establish its first New York State facility in Lackawanna is a strong vote of confidence in Western New York’s workforce, infrastructure and long-term economic potential.”
That narrative has data behind it. New York State has seen a steady uptick in advanced manufacturing announcements over the past three years, spanning semiconductors, clean energy components, and now sustainable building materials. The Deckorators plant fits squarely into that trend.
Furthermore, the sustainable angle matters. Surestone technology uses crushed limestone rather than wood or petroleum-based plastics. As builders and consumers increasingly prioritize environmentally responsible materials, demand for products like Deckorators’ composite decking is likely to grow. Lackawanna is now positioned at the center of that supply chain for the entire Northeast.
Key Takeaways
- Deckorators Inc. opened a $77.2 million manufacturing facility in Lackawanna, NY on June 25, 2026
- The 253,310-square-foot plant at 300 Commerce Drive is the company’s first New York State location
- Approximately 50 skilled jobs will be created in production, logistics, and administration
- The facility manufactures Surestone composite decking, previously made only in Alabama
- Public incentives total roughly $2.54 million against $77.2 million in private investment
- Low-cost Niagara hydropower and a dedicated CSX rail spur support operations
- The project reinforces Upstate New York’s competitive position for advanced manufacturing
Conclusion: A Blueprint Worth Watching
The Deckorators manufacturing plant opening in Lackawanna is more than a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It is a working example of how coordinated public-private partnerships can transform idle industrial space into active economic engines. For communities across Upstate New York, including the Mohawk Valley, this is a blueprint worth studying closely.
If you want to stay informed about manufacturing investment and job creation across Upstate New York, subscribe to our newsletter and follow our ongoing coverage of regional economic development. The decisions being made today will shape this region for decades to come.
Sources & References
This article was compiled and fact-checked using the following sources:
- www.governor.ny.gov – Original reporting and official announcement
- www.deckorators.com – Company background and product information
- www.ufpi.com – UFP Industries corporate information
- esd.ny.gov – Empire State Development Excelsior Jobs Program details
- Economic Policy Institute – Manufacturing job multiplier effect research
Sources consulted: http://www.governor.ny.gov, http://www.deckorators.com, http://www.ufpi.com, esd.ny.gov, Economic Policy Institute
