When the Tryon Juvenile Detention Center closed more than a decade ago, over 200 people lost their jobs. Fulton County, in partnership with the Fulton County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) saw this closing as an opportunity. The opportunity was to convert the developable land that existed at Tryon into shovel ready sites for new businesses.

Fulton County and the IDA converted approximately 220 acres of land into the Tryon Technology Park. The goal behind creating the Tryon Technology Park was to replace the jobs lost when the former juvenile detention center closed according to James Mraz, Executive Director of the IDA. Tyron’s initial occupant was Vireo Health NY, LLC, which built a pharmaceutical facility in 2016 and has more than tripled its employment from 12 to 49 in 5 years.

Vireo Health NY | Cannabis Investments

With the New York State legislature’s approval of adult use cannabis, Vireo has decided to make major cannabis investments and significantly expand its footprint at Tryon. Vireo Health NY has started construction on a 325,000 square foot facility that will house cultivation, processing, and manufacturing of cannabis products. This $55 +/- million project is forecast to generate up to 180 new jobs in the first two years.

Vireo’s CEO Kyle Kingsley described Tryon’s campus setting as:

• a perfect fit for business
• quick access to I-90
• cost-effective distribution to dispensaries throughout the state

Kingsley noted, “Vireo Health has found the IDA and the County’s whole economic development team to be highly adept, responsive and helpful. Through all phases – planning, construction and ongoing operations, the IDA and economic development team have been ideal partners. We are very pleased with our decision to locate at the Tryon Technology Park.”

Vireo Health NY Expansion a Win For Fulton County

Mraz sees the Vireo Health NY expansion as an exciting win for Fulton County:

“This is one of the County’s largest economic development projects based on total private sector investment. Once completed, Vireo will be employing over 220 people. This will result in the County and IDA of achieving its goal of having the Tryon Technology Park replace the jobs lost when the juvenile detention center closed.”

Tryon Industrial Park Campus Features

• Tryon currently has around 200 acres of shovel-ready land available to companies desiring a quiet, pastoral setting.
• Tryon has high-quality infrastructure in place including a new access road and a new underground primary electric service.
• Conveniently located between Exits 27 and 28 off I-90
• Businesses can take a 180° degree turn away from high-stress and high-costs of urban life and enjoy the park’s laid back, low-cost environment.
• Employees can walk around the new access road and enjoy the beautiful nature of the park and see all types of wildlife including deer, fox, turkeys, rabbits and others.

From state-of-the-art industrial parks like Tryon to beautiful, historic downtown areas, we have spaces perfect for every kind of industry, enterprise, artist, or maker.

Learn more in our 2021 Initiatives Guide.