Why Water Works Here:
How Fulton County Helps Businesses Flow
When you’re evaluating a site for your next expansion—whether you’re guiding a corporate relocation, leading a manufacturing operation, scaling a food production line, developing industrial space, or launching a life sciences venture—infrastructure matters. And in Fulton County, water is not just available—it’s an advantage.
Abundant Water Supply for Thirsty Industries
Fulton County is built to support manufacturers, processors, and innovators who require reliable, high-volume water to operate and grow. With four reservoirs providing 710 million gallons of storage capacity, companies operating in Gloversville and throughout the county have access to one of New York’s most under-tapped water assets.
For site selectors, this translates to infrastructure certainty. No guessing games. No supply gaps. Just a region with the proven capacity to meet industrial-scale water demands and the technical readiness to support rapid deployment.
Nation-Leading Wastewater Management for Specialized Needs
The Gloversville-Johnstown Joint Wastewater Treatment Facility (GJJWTF) is a standout—the first and only facility in the U.S. that generates more power than it uses, thanks to its renewable methane-powered combined heat and power system. The plant can process up to 13.8 million gallons per day and currently operates at only 50% of its design load—leaving ample room for new industrial users.
For COOs and operations leaders, this means operational savings and sustainability built in. Manufacturers—especially in the dairy, food, and beverage sectors—can bypass expensive pre-treatment systems thanks to direct pipelines from factory to facility, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars annually and accelerating regulatory approval timelines.
Specialized Solutions for Dairy and Food Processors
Food manufacturers benefit from the county’s unique capabilities. The GJJWTF has a dedicated processing unit for high-strength whey and washwater, converting waste into clean energy through anaerobic digestion. No trucking. No odor. No lag time. Just a seamless, closed-loop process that makes Fulton County one of the most sustainable places to make food in the Northeast.
This isn’t just greenwashing—in 2019 alone, the facility processed over 211 million gallons of wastewater from dairy manufacturers. For companies needing to meet increasing ESG mandates, Fulton County delivers a powerful story of efficiency and environmental stewardship.
Infrastructure That Attracts and De-Risks Industrial Development
For industrial developers, the wastewater infrastructure and future-focused investment—like plans for thermal sludge dryers to reduce landfill use by 80%—enhance lease value, reduce tenant risk, and strengthen marketing efforts to ESG-conscious occupiers.
Coupled with shovel-ready parks like Tryon Technology Park and Johnstown Industrial Park, and 60–90 day permitting windows, developers get a speed-to-market edge and assurance that utilities won’t be a bottleneck.
Lab-Friendly Wastewater & Utility Clarity for Innovation Companies
Even life sciences and biotech entrepreneurs gain critical benefits. The county’s water and wastewater ecosystem is engineered to handle complex biological and chemical loads—backed by one-on-one support from FCIDA to help early-stage companies align grant applications and lab operations with compliance protocols.
There’s no need to worry about whether zoning, power, and waste handling are aligned—FCIDA ensures it’s all coordinated, supporting everything from first-phase buildouts to future clinical scaling.
Bottom Line: If Your Business Requires Water, Fulton County Delivers
Across industries and business models, Fulton County is the right place for companies that can’t compromise on water or wastewater support. And with the Fulton County IDA’s full-stack support—financial incentives, shovel-ready sites, permitting assistance, and workforce development—this isn’t just a great place to do business. It’s a place built for smart, sustainable growth.
Ready to find your site?
Contact the Fulton County IDA today to explore available shovel-ready properties with full utility access and economic development incentives that match your project needs.