Vacant for 13 years, Guilford Mills is closer to being filled again.
Green Recycling Solutions International, a New Jersey company, is waiting for state approvals before making an offer on the Cobleskill plant owned by Schoharie County.
GRSI is an umbrella company representing several firms. All would bring jobs here.
"I don't want to over-state the number of jobs or under-state the number, but it will be significant enough to make an impact," said Barbara Acuff, GRSI spokesperson.
The key to the sale is including part of the factory in SUNY Cobleskill's START-UP NEW YORK program, which would give GRSI tax-free status for 10 years.
Each SUNY campus has 200,000 square feet of START-UP NEW YORK space that can be on or near a campus. The thrust is to not only create jobs but also offer opportunities for students.
SUNY Cobleskill has designated 125,000 square feet for Guilford, according to Professor Jason Evans, who's handling START-UP for the college and has been working with GRSI.
"We only have 200,000 square feet, and we don't want to spend it all at the first store," Mr. Evans said.
Unused square footage from other campuses could be applied to Guilford if GRSI expands, Mr. Evans said.
The state must approve the college's application and inclusion of the 125,000 square feet for Guilford. That's essential to the deal, Ms. Acuff said.
She's optimistic that state approval will come, and GRSI is registering its companies with Albany.
Ms. Acuff described GRSI's group as innovative, "political game-changers."
GRSI itself has a patent for a process to break down tires with compressed air, which is "much more ecologically friendly" than the standard practice of using nitrogen, Ms. Acuff said.
GBD, a company under GRSI, developed an additive for plastic bottles that allows them to decompose within five years instead of 50, Ms. Acuff said.
The company has letters of intent from the Dominican Republic and Poland for the product, she added.
Several companies doing business at Guilford will make the plant more viable, she said. Having one large company there runs the risk of losing all the jobs if it closes--as Guilford Mills did in 2001, when 565 jobs ended at once.
"That property's had a bad run," Ms. Acuff said. "We'd bring five, possibly six companies to that property.
"With five or six companies, there's a greater chance to succeed and expand instead of having just one."
Ms. Acuff admitted that there's still much to do--the plant needs renovations--but she hoped that work could begin in August.
County Treasurer Bill Cherry, who's marketing Guilford, said GRSI wants to inspect the plant once more.
"The building is solid, but certainly a great deal needs to be updated," he said. "They know that."
After the potential Guilford sale to Butternuts Beer and Ale fell through last summer, Mr. Cherry said he's hopeful and optimistic about GRSI.
"Everything they've done and said has been up front and optimistic," Mr. Cherry said.
"It's a great opportunity for Schoharie County. . . .good jobs at good salaries. We're looking forward to their written purchase offer."