Nearly $100,000 was gifted to one of High Falls' few industrial manufacturers, PK30, in hopes that it would spur job growth in the county, according to a recent press release from Ulster County Executive Pay Ryan.

“It feels great that the county is realizing the importance of promoting manufacturing career opportunities,” said PK30 founder and CEO Phillip Kerzner.

The Ulster County Office of Economic Development awarded $95,558 to PK30 System Inc., in High Falls, to purchase new equipment with the promise that local hands would work the machinery. The money was sourced from the New York State Office of Home and Community Renewal’s Community Development Block Grant program, which provides financial assistance to local municipalities, including counties with an area population under 200,000. For the past five years PK30 has occupied a generous chunk of the old IBM building, at 2452C Lucas Turnpike.

In order to grab the grant, PK30 went through an almost six-year process of submitting financials, tax reports, business details and other paperwork over to the county, which was looking for a company that wasn’t too big that the money wouldn’t be needed, but large enough that they could make good use of it. PK30 was perfect.

PK30 specializes in moveable glass walls, along with swing and sliding glass doors and foldable partitions. The company’s designs allow customers to earn points toward a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, run by the non-profit U.S. Green Building Corporation, which can give participants hefty tax cuts and grant opportunities, with enough points. During the pandemic, due to increased demand for services and other complications, many of PK30’s projects took as long as 20 weeks; they have recently made big strides, slicing the time down to eight to 10 weeks. Luckily, the grant money helped fund a solution to reduce such issues.

The main chunk of the new grant will go to purchase a computer-controlled machine center, which will increase manufacturing productivity and reduce human error. Components of the walls and doors they make are fastened to the machinery as it works away, carving out holes, slots and other important features on the product. It’s like packing a whole assembly line into one hunk of technology. At least four full-time positions will be created at the business, Kerzner said, as was required in the terms of the grant. Kerzner didn’t feel comfortable disclosing the wage range.

“These funds will enable us to provide direct financial assistance to a local manufacturing company and allow them to expand their business and provide jobs for our community,” Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said. “As we have with PK30, Ulster County will continue to work with and advocate for our small business owners so that they can expand, thrive, and create jobs.”