NY footwear company to restore 100 jobs outsourced to China, will get $1.75M from state

A footwear maker that has outsourced work to China says it will restore 100 jobs at its western New York factory with the help of $1.75 million in state tax credits.

PW Minor makes and distributes leather footwear and orthopedic products. The Batavia company was founded in 1867 and threatened with closing last year before new local ownership and management took over and kept more than 50 jobs after getting about $450,000 in tax credits.

The Cuomo administration and Batavia Shoes LLC said Monday the state incentives will support $7.35 million in automation projects that will make the Genesee County operations competitive with those in China.

It wasn't initially clear if the company will continue to manufacture in China.