TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WKBW) — After Sumitomo Rubber shut down more than one month ago, leaving more than 1,500 people without a job, all eyes are on what to do with the sprawling facility in the Town of Tonawanda.
“It is a long road,” Town Supervisor Joe Emminger said. “A lot of 2 million square foot users in our region who need it. So, you know, it’s going to be a nationwide search, I would imagine, you know, looking for industrial users of the site.”
Emminger and Assemblyman Bill Conrad said they toured the facility earlier this month with members from Sumitomo and other top officials.
“I thought it was very productive,” Emminger said. “Everybody trying to just get our hands around, you know, what’s out there, and trying to get a reuse for the site.”
“I have to say, though, you know, we’re watching folks come in to gather their belongings, and that was really tough to watch,” Conrad said…