Genesis Disposables awarded state grant funding for COVID-19 isolation gowns as firm works to expand, create jobs

FRANKFORT, N.Y. — Genesis Disposables LLC of Frankfort will use a $400,000 state grant as it pursues a larger facility to produce gowns that are needed as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

The Genesis project will entail a $6.8 million investment to expand production of Level 1 and Level 2 isolation gowns at 100,000 a month initially, then ramping up to 250,000 a month by the end of 2021, creating 55 jobs in the first year, per the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Genesis Disposables has reached capacity at its current manufacturing facility and is looking to move into a larger facility and purchase machines and manufacturing equipment to increase production.

The $400,000 grant for Genesis Disposables announced Wednesday represents the firm’s second state grant for pandemic-material production, per Cuomo’s office.

Genesis Disposables has been manufacturing disposable garments and accessories for a ‘diverse’ customer base for over 30 years at its facility in Frankfort. The company carries a range of raw materials that can be ‘quickly converted into finished goods, enabling it to deliver exceptional turnaround time,’ as described by Cuomo’s office.

The Herkimer County company is among five New York firms that to which the state awarded grant funding for the purpose. The other companies are in New York City, Western New York, and in the Mid-Hudson region.

These grants will help alleviate product shortages due to supply chain issues that ‘could lead to unfair pricing practices,’ Cuomo’s office said. The companies will also increase the state’s manufacturing capacity while creating new jobs and market opportunities.

To date, New York State has announced more than $20 million in grants to 36 qualifying New York-based companies to retool their business lines and pivot to manufacturing vital supplies for ongoing response and recovery efforts. These 36 companies will collectively create and retain over 3,500 jobs.