Dave Momberger, right, General Manager of Grower’s Grape Juice Cooperative, Westfield, presents check for $75,000 to Andrew Dufresne, Executive Director of the Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association.

Originally published in the Westfield Republican -

WESTFIELD Grower’s Cooperative Grape Juice Company, Inc. of Westfield, New York, is making a significant contribution to the development of a Grape Discovery Center in the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt region with a $75,000 contribution to the Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association’s Building Fund.

The company is a grower-owned cooperative first organized in 1929. Now, with over 110 grower members, about 20,000 tons of Concord grapes are processed into juice and concentrate each harvest season from some 3000 acres. The Lake Erie Grape Belt generates $343 million per year in direct economic impact through the grape industry according to a Cornell University study.

David Momberger, General Manager for the Grape Cooperative, has been very actively involved in the dream to have a Grape Discovery Center in the region. He brought back much useful information from his visit to the Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center, was the principal author of a Grape Discovery Center Conceptual plan, and has served as building chair for the project.

Momberger is enthusiastic about the progress to date, “this center will help us tell the 150 year old story of the grape industry in our communities. There is considerable potential to attract and connect with tourist that pass through the region and have little awareness what a unique place this area is.” Momberger also notes that “promoting local products made in this area will help our local economy and grape industry. The Grape Discovery Center can also be a very positive catalyst for providing information about other attractions, food and lodging in the area.”

Andrew Dufresne, Executive Director of the Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association said “this contribution was critical to the completion of Phase I of the project, the renovation of an old building structure on Route 20 west of the Village of Westfield. We are now beginning Phase II which includes fund-raising so that the interior of the building, the grape story displays and exhibits, and furnishing can be completed. We’ve come a long ways with this project, and we have a long ways to go yet before we can open a visitors center. There is momentum and we are looking for support from the regions’ businesses and citizens.”

The Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association is holding a fund-raising kick-off and opportunity to see the progress to date made at the center, 8305 West Main Road, Westfield with a “Discover Our Grape Progress” event from 4:30 to 6:30 PM on October 28th. Please visit the web site www.concordgrapebelt.org to RSVP for the event. Persons who plan to attend the Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards Banquet and “Worlds Learning Center Branding Initiative” at the Chautauqua Suites in Mayville should have adequate time to make a visit on their way to that event.