Press Release

Montgomery County Requests Proposals for Next Phase of Demolition at Former Beech-Nut Plant

Sealed Bids Due to the County Purchasing Agent by 11am ET on Friday, October 14

(FONDA, NY) – Redevelopment of the Exit 29 site in Canajoharie is set to take another major step forward in the coming months as Montgomery County accepts bids for demolition work on the western portion of the former home of Beech-Nut Baby Foods. 

Last week, Montgomery County released an RFP for demolition of 22 buildings at the vacant site, as well as the canopy structures over the former northern and southern loading docks. This next phase of activity on the site follows other demolition and prep work that has been completed on the eastern portion of the site as well as the signing of a Purchase-and-Sale agreement with E29 Labs to redevelop a portion of the site. 

“Successful redevelopment of the Exit 29 site has been a longstanding priority for my administration and the community,” said Montgomery County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort. 

“Canajoharie relied on the economic impact of Beech-Nut for over a century. We are making marked progress toward breathing new life into this site and making it an economic engine again. Securing the bids and completing this demolition work is going to be another major accomplishment on the road to redevelopment. I look forward to working with my partners in the County Legislature to secure a contract that will make for a positive start to 2023,” Ossenfort said. 

“Demolition of these remaining structures is one of the final hurdles to creating a shovel ready site that we believe will be enticing to additional developers and businesses. When completed, the work will truly demonstrate the significant potential for the property. The Exit 29 site remains one of our most active and important economic development projects, and our team is anxious to engage a contractor to get this next phase of demolition underway. The Business Development Center also continues to be proactive in our efforts to market the property for new investment,” said Montgomery County Business Development Center CEO Ken Rose, whose office manages the property and is leading the redevelopment efforts. 

In 2019, grant funding provided by National Grid allowed the BDC to engage a contractor to remove large debris piles from the eastern half of the property. The following year, Apollo Dismantling Services completed the interior asbestos remediation work, removing 1,400 tons of material from the former manufacturing facility. 

Under the terms of the RFP, all proposals must be received no later than Friday, October 14 at 11:00am to the Purchasing Agent at 20 Park Street, Rm 109, Fonda, NY 12068.  The County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. Specifications regarding the work associated with this RFP and complete details about the bid submission requirements can be found at: https://www.co.montgomery.ny.us/web/sites/departments/purchasing/details.asp?id=3686.