With assistance from the Community and Rural Development Institute (CaRDI), the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt conducted an economic impact study showing the enormous contribution the Concord grape juice processing industry makes to Chautauqua County, New York, and Erie County, Pennsylvania. Local leaders are impressed and pleased to have such an important and stable industry during uncertain economic times for the Western New York region.

The Concord grape belt of Western New York and Pennsylvania is the largest grape-growing area east of the Mississippi, and home to several of the largest juice processors in the world, including the National Grape Cooperative (which owns the Welch`s brand). However, the region has fallen on hard times and is losing population and jobs. The food processing industry is one of the few stable economic engines in the region.

The Community and Rural Development Institute (CaRDI) in the Department of Development Sociology worked with leaders in the Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association and a faculty member at Pennsylvania State University to conduct a study of the economic impact of the grape juice industry. This involved a phone survey of juice processors and use of statistical modeling software to measure the Concord grape belt’s contribution to the regional economy in terms of jobs and income. Results showed that the entire value-added chain from the grower to the processor has a substantial impact on the region’s economy. We estimated that grape-related production activities (i.e., growing, processing, and wineries) supported 1,923 jobs and contributed $340 million in total economic impact to the two main counties of the Concord grape belt (Chautauqua County, New York, and Erie County, Pennsylvania). We also estimated that total fruit and vegetable processing annually support 5,281 jobs and contributes over $1 billion to the two-county region by processors who became established in the region largely because of the grape industry.

The Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association released the report at a press conference that included local government officials and state legislators. Grape juice industry leaders have also done a number of presentations, radio interviews, and the like about the study results. The results of the study have now taken on a life of their own as local government officials and newspapers have begun, in turn, touting the role of the Concord grape belt in helping stabilize the regional economy. A next step being considered is a survey of grape growers and juice processors about strategies for retaining and expanding food processing industry jobs and income. This could include local and state policies to further encourage growth of the grape juice industry.