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Manufacturer coming to Ogdensburg to make oxidizers used in explosives for mining, clearing earth

Posted 9/11/15

By JIMMY LAWTON OGDENSBURG – Maxam North American, an explosives manufacturer, is up and running with approximately six employees at the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority’s Heavy Industrial …

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Manufacturer coming to Ogdensburg to make oxidizers used in explosives for mining, clearing earth

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG – Maxam North American, an explosives manufacturer, is up and running with approximately six employees at the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority’s Heavy Industrial Park.

OBPA CFO Frederick Morrill says the company manufactures oxidizers that are used to create explosives for mining and clearing earth for roads.

Morrill says the company will soon employ about six, as much of the work is automated, but added that the impact on shipping by land and sea will also benefit the area.

Morrill said the company also has plans for expansion in the future.

“They plan to succeed and to grow,” he said.

The company will enjoy some sales and property tax breaks provided by the IDA. A standard “payment in lieu of taxes” is believed to have been arranged with the company, which would provide tax breaks for approximately 10 years.

Since the company purchased the property from the OBPA, it will eventually go on to the tax roll.

Morrill said in order for the materials to explode they need to be in a confined space and introduced to a blasting agent.

“The oxidizers won’t even burn by themselves,” he said.

Morrill said the oxidizer is also deceptively tasty looking.

“It looks like lemon pie filling, but they told me it doesn’t taste like it,” he said.

Morrill said the OBPA is pleased that MAXAM purchased one of its buildings and chose to locate in Ogdensburg.

He said access to the port, border and rail spurs all helped make the location appealing.

“It’s a proud day for us here at the OBPA and Ogdensburg. To have a world class companying bringing a state of the art facility is great of our area,” he said.