Empire State Development announces opening of new Niagara County Quicklee’s Travel Center

Fri, May 17th 2024 02:25 pm

Project supported by WNY Regional Economic Development Council Grant

Empire State Development Press Release and Photo

Empire State Development today announced the new Quicklee’s Travel Center has officially opened in the Town of Niagara. The facility, at 6021 Porter Road, offers a convenience store, Tim Hortons restaurant, laser vehicle wash, and other amenities for tour bus drivers, travelers and the trucking community. The bright, clean center was designed to attract truck drivers, tour bus operators, as well as families on road trips vacationing in Niagara Falls, and encourages them to spend a longer time exploring the region.

The center will also help alleviate some of the congestion at the border crossing bridges by providing a new option for truck refueling. To staff and maintain the travel center and its amenities, Quicklee’s is in the process of hiring 15 new, full-time permanent employees.

“It is essential for professional truck drivers and traveling families to have a place to rest, refuel, and get something to eat,” Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said. “Commercial truck traffic is vital to our state’s economy, as drivers haul billions of tons of virtually every commodity consumed. The new Quicklee’s Travel Center makes it easy for professional drivers to safely rest and refuel, while also catering to tourists who generate significant economic benefits to the region.”

Truck stops provide a pivotal role in truck and bus drivers’ well-being and overall job experience. The stops help ensure that drivers are getting proper rest, food, and social interaction with fellow drivers, which revitalizes them for the next leg of their journey. Safety is paramount, with the best travel centers providing robust security measures, well-lit parking areas, surveillance systems and a vigilant staff that prioritizes the well-being of its customers. A poorly operated truck stop puts both drivers and their cargo at risk.

In recent years, truck stops have evolved into travel centers, offering comprehensive conveniences beyond basic fuel and rest rooms. Quicklee’s 12,000-square-foot location near an Interstate 190 exit, includes ample parking, a 3,000-square-foot truck-washing building, a scale for weighing trucks, Wi-Fi, pet-friendly zones, and fuel pumps for both regular and diesel gasoline. Quicklee’s estimates it will sell approximately 5 million gallons of gas annually at the Porter Road location, bringing additional sales tax to Niagara County. The center also has shower facilities, which make it easy for truckers and travelers to refresh themselves without the extra expense of renting a hotel room.

Quicklee’s Operations Manager Don F. Mills III said, “We are very excited to bring the first Quicklee’s to the Town of Niagara Falls! This Quicklee’s Travel Center is our largest location to date housing a convenience store, fireside lounge, and Tim Hortons inside our main building. There is a designated area for truck and bus drivers with ample parking, a 3,000-square-foot truck- and bus-wash building, CAT scale for weighing, and shower and laundry amenities in the store. We would like to thank everything involved in bringing this project to reality, including but not limited to the Town of Niagara Council, Planning and Zoning boards; NYS Department of Transportation; Niagara County’s Planning Board and Community Development Block Grant program; and Empire State Development. We look forward to serving you and your family as a part of the Niagara Falls community. “

Tim Hortons USA President Katerina Glyptis said, “Today is an extra-special day. Not only is it an opening of this new Niagara Falls location, it is 60 years to the day from the opening of the very first Tim Hortons in Hamilton, Ontario. We’re so excited to continue celebrating 60 years of Tims – continuing to serve our communities always-delicious coffee, breakfast and baked goods.”

The well-located Quicklee’s facility was identified as a priority project in 2022 by the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council and was awarded a capital grant of $500,0000 for the project. Quicklee’s also received a 10-year tax incentive package from the Niagara County IDA. The total project cost was placed at close to $7 million. The travel center is expected to bring additional truckers and travel coaches to Niagara County, encouraging efficient transportation of goods while also attracting additional tourists to the area.

New York State Sen. Rob Ortt said, “Whether it be those tasked with transporting goods from Canada to the rest of our county, or families that have chosen to visit Niagara Falls as their vacation destination, having an accessible, and well-renowned rest stop just off the I-190 will make travel that much easier for all those traversing our interstate. I’d like to thank our partners at the Niagara County IDA, Western New York Regional Economic Development Council, and Empire State Development for identifying this as a priority project and bringing this vital rest stop to our region.”

Assemblyman Angelo Morinello said, “I’d like to congratulate Quicklee’s and Tim Hortons on the grand-opening of their new location in Niagara Falls. I’d also like to thank Empire State Development and the Niagara County IDA for their participation in the project. This travel center will not only provide a safe, convenient way for truckers and travelers to rest and refuel, but it will also provide jobs for our community and help to stimulate our local economy.”

Town of Niagara Supervisor Sylvia Virtuoso said, “Congratulations Quicklee’s and Tim Hortons on your new endeavor in Town of Niagara. We are very happy you are here to add to the great business climate of the town. We are proud you chose Town of Niagara to serve the commercial drivers and tourists passing through our area. Thank you to Empire State Development and all who contributed its support in bringing these businesses to our town and Niagara County. Wishing you many years of great success!”

City of Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino, “With the already steady stream of trucking and tourism traffic in our area, and indications of an increase in the future, this travel center is a welcome addition to our area. It is another location for travelers, both commercial and recreational, to stop and rest for the remainder of their journey. We welcome Quicklee’s to our community.”

Niagara County Legislature Chairwoman Becky Wydysh said, “This is a great project that was strongly supported by our tourism industry as they expressed a need for this type of facility to accommodate all the tourism buses that come to Niagara Falls. I commend local economic development officials, particularly the Niagara County IDA, for understanding the strategic importance of this type of project and how it will drive economic activity to our community.”

The Regional Economic Development Council initiative is a key component of the state’s approach to state investment and economic development. In 2011, 10 regional councils were established to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The regional councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom-up approach and establishing a competitive process for state resources. Learn more at regionalcouncils.ny.gov.

ESD is New York’s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov).