Press Releases

FRIENDSHIP ZONE ANNOUNCES 2006 BUSINESS AWARDS

FRIENDSHIP, NY – The Friendship Empire Zone a division of ACCORD Corporation, presented its 2006 Business Awards at their annual dinner held recently at the L’Italia Restaurant in Wellsville. Wendall Brown, Zone Director presented the awards to recognize outstanding economic development contributions of two Allegany County businesses: Northern Lights Enterprises, Inc and Phillips Angelica Forest Products Inc. .

Andy and Tina Glanzman co- owners and founders of Northern Lights Enterprises were presented with the “2006 Large Business of the Year Award for its continued capital investment and job creation in the Friendship Empire Zone in Wellsville. Acepting the Large Business Award Andy and Tina Glanzman Northern Lights Enterprises

In January 2004, Northern Lights Enterprises, Inc had 96 employees when it became a Zone Certified Business. This company needed to enlarge their facilities through construction, consolidation of operations, investment in capital equipment, and hiring of new employees.

In 2004, Northern Lights purchased a vacant 92,000 sq-ft Empire Zone facility to consolidate manufacturing operations. The company installed new automated equipment for candle pouring.

In 2005, the company purchased the vacant 124-130 North Main Street building. In 2006, Andy and Tina opened the new Wellsville Creative Arts Center, enhancing the quality of life for the people in Allegany County. 2006 was a year of records sales for Northern Lights Enterprises. The company has continued to grow and invest in the Friendship Empire Zone and has created jobs for over 160 full time employees.

The Friendship Empire Zone chose Phillips Angelica Forest Products, Inc. owned by Jeffrey Phillips for the “2006 Small Business of the Year Award” for its continued capital investment and job creation in the Friendship Empire Zone.

Accepting the Small Business Award 2006 for Jeffrey Philips, Philips Angelica Forest Products. Four years ago, in 2003, Jeffrey Phillips started a business in Angelica and became Zone Certified. He started with 6 employees. Jeffrey Phillips experienced in Wood Products manufacturing, bought an out of date sawmill in Angelica. Jeff has invested over $1.5 million in creating this automated manufacturing facility and presently employs 20 full time workers.

At the end of the dinner program, Brown gave a presentation outlining the 12 year history of the Friendship Empire Zone.