The Exit 29 Redevelopment Project

A vision for the future, powered by a community redevelopment partnership.

A Community Partnership

Montgomery County, New York is working hand-in-hand with the Village of Canajoharie to transform the former Beech-Nut site located at scenic Exit 29 of the NYS Thruway into a productive, vibrant, walkable development. The site offers unlimited potential for development across a wide spectrum of industries from commercial and industrial uses to residential housing and entertainment venues. Both the County and the Village are striving toward a future where the site integrates with the existing fabric of the Village to enhance the quality of life, provide jobs, increase the tax base, and provide recreational and social benefits for the Village and the surrounding region.

We are looking for developers to work with both the County and Village to achieve common goals and be a member of a vibrant upstate New York community.

From breathtaking local scenery to a passionate community there is no better development opportunity in upstate New York.

Developer Opportunities

The former Beech-Nut site offers numerous opportunities for development backed and supported by both Montgomery County and the Village of Canajoharie. Located along the historic and scenic Mohawk River, this NYS Opportunity Zone site has direct access to the NYS Thruway and numerous secondary thoroughfares, the 26.9 acres of the Exit 29 site is prime real estate waiting for the right developer.

In May 2021, Montgomery County entered into a Purchase-and-Sale agreement with E29 Labs, a commercial cannabis production company, for the 19.6 acres that cover the eastern half of the site. The company is currently conducting a due diligence process while it completes the state’s licensing process.

The remaining western portion (approx. 7 acres) of the parcel offers a fully visible developable site with a car count of over 23,000 vehicles passing daily via the NYS Thruway. The site is electric and water ready and includes a high water, sewer, electric and gas infrastructure that has been maintained for future development purposes.

Community Feedback

This is going to make downtown better. Having that many jobs in town definitely impacts the community, as far as I’m concerned you tend to shop where you work. I can see it making a big difference economically here. Having jobs equals bodies downtown, and I just think it’s going to be huge for Canajoharie.

I think that would be great if it were accessible to the public. I would love to take the kids over and let them use the grounds, we don’t really have a place where we can do that currently.

The redevelopment of the former Beech-Nut site and downtown Canajoharie is of the utmost priority for our team. Not only is the Exit 29 site visible from the Thruway, it’s less than one hour from three larger cities. It runs parallel with the historic Erie Canalway Trail and has a walkable downtown. It’s truly an exciting opportunity for the village, county and region.

The Village’s commitment to its downtown and the redevelopment at the Exit 29 site is a top priority. The partnership between the Village of Canajoharie and Montgomery County has been very successful, and helped to move this project forward in a more effective manner. We are eager to see where the future leads and believe downtown Canajoharie is in a prime position to become even stronger.

LiRo has worked on numerous brownfield cleanup and redevelopment projects for a variety of clients over the years and have seen first-hand the benefits of returning abandoned industrial properties to productive use. We are very proud to help Montgomery County keep the process moving on this exciting project.

The redevelopment at Exit 29 is truly exciting to see. I am so thrilled as the owner of a local real estate company to watch the development, and how this progress will have such a positive impact on our community. This is a wonderful opportunity for growth. I am certainly looking forward to the future of downtown Canajoharie.

That said, I’m genuinely excited about what E29 Labs is proposing. It could be a game-changer for Montgomery County, and also for Canajoharie. It would transform an increasingly ugly industrial landscape into a green and tidy hub of production, creating jobs - up to 500, according to officials - and drawing tourists.

Exit 29 Aerial Tour

Drone footage courtesy of Joe Roberts

Project Updates & News Coverage

Montgomery County Set To Award Contract For Next Phase Of Demolition For The Former Beech-nut Plant

December 15, 2022 No Comments

(FONDA, NY) – Major redevelopment work will soon again be underway at the Exit 29 site, in Canajoharie, following the County Legislature’s approval of a ...

The Daily Gazette: Community hears details on cannabis facility proposal

May 28, 2021 No Comments

By Joshua Thomas | May 28, 2021 CANAJOHARIE — Operators of the proposed cannabis business at the old Beech-Nut site spelled out in more detail this week both ...