{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/governor-hochul-and-senate-majority-leader-chuck-schumer-announce-completion-of-renowned-clothing-manufacturer-tom-james-acquisition-of-former-hickey-freeman-facility-in-rochester", "GOVERNOR HOCHUL AND SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER ANNOUNCE COMPLETION OF RENOWNED CLOTHING MANUFACTURER TOM JAMES ACQUISITION OF FORMER HICKEY FREEMAN FACILITY IN ROCHESTER", "2023-07-26", "2023", "2023-07", "Democrat", "Senate", "NY", "Charles E. Schumer", "S000148", "www.schumer.senate.gov", "schumer", "https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Governor and Senator\u2019s Intervention Ensures Continued Operations at the Storied Factory and the Creation and Retention of 245 Majority Union Jobs\n\n$ 7 Million NYS Investment Complements \u201cFinger Lakes Forward\u201d \u2013 The Region\u2019s Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy\n\nGovernor Kathy Hochul and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced the completion of renowned clothier Tom James Company\u2019s acquisition of the 112-year-old former Hickey Freeman manufacturing facility which will proudly be recognized and branded as Rochester Tailored Clothing. Tom James will utilize the highly skilled workforce to produce tailored suits for other brands as well as its own clothing line at the North Clinton Avenue facility in the City of Rochester. As part of the acquisition, Tom James will retain 200 jobs previously at risk had the factory closed and has committed to growing employment on site to 245 net jobs over the next five years.\n\nGovernor Kathy Hochul said, \u201cThis agreement with the Tom James Company marks the start of a new chapter at the historic Hickey Freeman Building and will ensure that its legacy as an economic driver endures in Rochester. For more than a century, this facility has been Rochester\u2019s gateway to the world of fashion and an important source of stable, union jobs. Now, thanks to state investment and the support of the Majority Leader and partners at every level of government, Tom James will continue to make the quality products and employ hundreds of workers in the heart of Rochester.\u201d\n\nU.S. Senator and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said, \u201cIt\u2019s official Rochester will continue its long tradition of making high quality suits, powered by our top notch union tailor workforce! This 112-year old factory is a Rochester institution \u2013 woven into the very fabric of the community \u2013 and that is why I\u2019ve fought time and again to keep it in business whenever it faced challenges. Last month, after I had personally called the CEO to urge him to look at Rochester, I announced Tom James Company\u2019s plans to acquire this iconic factory, and today, I\u2019m thrilled to announce that Tom James has officially closed on its purchase of this Rochester institution \u2013 not only providing stability for its 200 world-class union employees, but also adding additional jobs in the coming years,\u201d said Senator Schumer. \u201cWhen I visited this Rochester facility a few years ago and walked the floor alongside the factory\u2019s hardworking employees, many of whom have worked there for decades, I committed to making sure their future was secure for years to come. Tom James Company, fueled by its own Workers United union workforce, has become an industry leader and is tailor-made to sew success now for Rochester\u2019s future. Now that the deal is officially closed, I\u2019m excited to see what the future holds for this beloved Rochester factory and its hundreds of skilled Rochester union workers.\u201d\n\nSchumer and Hochul announced Tom James\u2019s plans to acquire the Rochester factory earlier this summer. This official closing comes after a personal appeal to Tom James CEO Todd Browne from the Schumer after the factory was put up for sale earlier this year. Schumer called on the company to move forward with plans to take over the factory and provide stability and growth for this long-time Rochester facility.\n\nThe Hickey Freeman Tailored Clothing factory was struggling and running out of capital to continue operations. Tom James Company was approached to consider acquiring the assets and establishing operations at the factory. Tom James then committed to acquiring the facility\u2019s assets and to continue to operate the downtown retail factory store. To ensure the factory\u2019s future, New York State is providing up to $ 7 million over the next five years through the regionally designed Upstate Revitalization Initiative to support the company\u2019s success. The total project cost of the acquisition, capital investments and upgrades to the facility has been placed at $15 million.\n\nFounded in 1966, the Tom James Company is a made to measure clothing manufacturer headquartered in Tennessee with factories in 8 other states. The company employs 3,000 workers globally, with locations in the U.S, Canada, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom and in the Netherlands. The company is 100% employee-owned and is the largest custom clothing manufacturer in the world. The Rochester factory will mark the company\u2019s 10th domestic facility.\n\nTodd Browne, CEO of Tom James said, \u201cTom James is very excited to welcome the legacy of fine tailoring from Rochester Tailored Clothing into the Tom James family. Tom James remains firmly committed to preserving, and enhancing, the art of garment-making in the United States. We know of no workforce more qualified to further this mission than the men and women of Rochester Tailored Clothing. Tom James expresses its gratitude to Senator Schumer, Governor Hochul, and a host of supporters in New York, for helping to level the playing field for garment manufacturers in the United States, allowing us to compete fairly on the merits of our products and our people against any product made anywhere in the world. If it were not for the combined efforts of Senator Schumer, Governor Hochul, Empire State Development, and many others, we would not be where we are today.\"\n\n\u201cThe Hickey Freeman factory has been an iconic part of Rochester\u2019s community fabric for more than a century, and I am pleased that legacy will now continue under the Tom James Company,\u201d said Congressman Joe Morelle. \u201cI am especially grateful for their commitment to retaining local jobs and investing in our skilled workforce. I look forward to working alongside Tom James as well as Governor Hochul, Senator Schumer, and all of our local partners to continue growing the future of our regional economy.\u201d\n\nIn addition to the Tom James operation, in August of 2022, Empire State Development also provided a $2.5 million Regional Council Capital Grant to Home Leasing, LLC to support the reuse of part of the site for senior housing. That project is being spearheaded by NYS Homes and Community Renewal and is called \u201cTailor Square\u201d. The project will convert part of the historic four-story manufacturing building home into 134 affordable apartments, including 45 homes for seniors in need of supportive services. The energy-efficient design will incorporate geothermal and photovoltaic solar technology to manage the heating and cooling systems.\n\nEmpire State Development President and CEO and Commissioner, Hope Knight, said, \u201cI want to thank Tom James for their investment in this historic facility- one that will support the continued operations at the site where generations of skilled workers have crafted top-quality products. Known around the world for its top-notch products, the company\u2019s commitment will also create and retain high-quality jobs and support the continued, promising future for this celebrated facility that truly functions as the heart of that important city neighborhood.\u201d\n\nRochester Mayor Malik Evans said, \u201cGovernor Hochul and Senator Schumer continue to work seamlessly with local leadership to ensure that we retain critical jobs for residents, and for that, I am grateful. We are all dedicated to creative solutions as industries adjust and change in an ever-evolving economic landscape. Creating opportunities for companies like Tom James and the hundreds of people they employ is integral to creating a hope-filled city that will attract further investment.\u201d\n\nMonroe County Executive Adam Bello said,\u201cBy acquiring the iconic Hickey Freeman factory and preserving its legacy, Tom James Co. is safeguarding an important piece of Rochester\u2019s history while becoming a key part of its future. I am grateful to Tom James for their commitment to continuing operations at the North Clinton Avenue location and creating or retaining union and salaried jobs for more than 240 workers skilled in the art of garment-making. Thanks to U.S. Senator Charles Schumer for his longtime support for Hickey Freeman, and to Empire State Development and Gov. Kathy Hochul for supporting this acquisition and their continued commitment to expanding our region\u2019s economy.\u201d\n\nState Senator Jeremy Cooney said, \u201cI am pleased to see Rochester\u2019s proud tradition of fine clothing manufacturing will continue under Tom James. I am grateful to see a company committed to local jobs and workers, with a worldwide reputation, choosing our community for investment. I look forward to working with them and thank Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Governor Hochul for their efforts to keep jobs in Rochester, and jump start a new chapter in our manufacturing history.\u201d\n\nState Assemblyman Harry Bronson said, \u201cAs Chair of the Assembly\u2019s Committee on Economic Development, I am thrilled to see the Hickey Freeman legacy reinvigorated and expanded due to the investment from Tom James Co. Their commitment ensures that new jobs are created, and existing skilled trade jobs remain in our community. Additionally the 100+ year-old historic building and storefront will be utilized for a new generation of Rochestarians.\u201d\n\nState Assemblyman Demond Meeks, \u201cI would like to thank Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Workers United for their efforts in ensuring the continued operations at the former Hickey Freeman Facility in Rochester. The creation and retention of these 245 majority-union jobs is crucial to the members of our community. Congratulations are in order for Todd Browne, CEO of renowned clothier Tom James Co. for acquiring the facility. I am grateful for the commitment and investment in our city's workforce. I would also like to thank Empire State Development as well as NYS Homes and Community Renewal for securing quality and affordable housing for our seniors through their collaboration on project Tailor Square.\"\n\nLynne Fox, International President of Workers United union, along with Rochester Regional Joint Board Manager, Gary Bonadonna, Jr. said, \u201cMany thanks to Senator Schumer for staying focused on preserving the Rochester Tailored Clothing factory jobs, together with the support of Governor Hochul. We are also grateful to the Tom James company for our excellent working relationship and staying the course until completion. We look forward to the future. \u201c\n\nHome Leasing CEO Bret Garwood said, \u201cHome Leasing welcomes Tom James to Rochester and is thrilled that they will join our project at Tailor Square. With their experience and investment, the former Hickey Freeman facility will continue the manufacturing operations as we compete the transformation of the facility to also include much needed affordable housing.\u201d\n\nPedro Azagra, CEO of Avangrid, parent company of RG&E and NYSEG said, \u201cPreserving skilled labor jobs in our service areas is one of the top priorities of our economic development programs and an example of RG&E\u2019s commitment to continue investing in New York. \u201cThe support we provided for the redevelopment of the former Hickey Freeman facility will reinforce many families in the Rochester area and contribute to the healthy economy of Upstate New York.\u201d\n\nGreater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO and Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chair Bob Duffy, said, \"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Senator Schumer and Governor Hochul for their tireless efforts in preserving over 200 jobs at the historic Hickey-Freeman factory in Rochester. Their exceptional teamwork and leadership have paved the way for this accomplishment, securing the factory's future under the world-class ownership of Tom James and the talent of its dedicated employees. The factory's significance to the neighborhood cannot be overstated, and we recognize that this win would not have been possible without the relentless advocacy of Senator Schumer and Governor Hochul. This moment is truly cause for celebration, as it demonstrates the power of collaboration and the positive impact it can have on our community.\"\n\nGreater Rochester Enterprise President and CEO Matt Hurlbutt, said, \"We are pleased that the Tom James Company senior leadership team has made the decision to expand its operations in the Greater Rochester, NY region. This expansion will not only leverage the assets and talent available in Rochester, but also continue the city's long history of crafting high-quality clothing.\n\nAccelerating Finger Lakes Forward\n\nToday\u2019s announcement complements \u201cFinger Lakes Forward,\u201d the region\u2019s comprehensive strategy to generate robust economic growth and community development. The regionally designed plan focuses on investing in key industries including photonics, agriculture\u200e and food production, and advanced manufacturing. More information is available here. \u200b\n\nAbout Empire State Development\n\nEmpire State Development (ESD) is New York\u2019s chief economic development agency (www.esd.ny.gov). The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of \u201cI LOVE NEW YORK,\u201d the State\u2019s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:18:03Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.schumer.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/governor-hochul-and-senate-majority-leader-chuck-schumer-announce-completion-of-renowned-clothing-manufacturer-tom-james-acquisition-of-former-hickey-freeman-facility-in-rochester"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.4153590891510248, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}