Erie County, N.Y., Aids Companies to Expand Facilities, Create Jobs.

Byline: Brian Meyer

Jul. 13--Seven companies that plan to invest $55 million in new or expanded facilities and create nearly 800 jobs were awarded incentives Wednesday by the Erie County Industrial Development Agency.

Several other proposed projects that would generate $75 million in new investment have been submitted to the ECIDA board for future consideration. Executive Director Ronald W. Coan claimed the wave of development activity is further evidence of the region's improving economy.

"The boom we've been feeling in Western New York manufacturing is continuing," said Coan. "And most of these projects will continue well into next year."

The largest project that was awarded tax breaks …