I walked away disappointed…that’s what Wellsville Mayor Randy Shayler said regarding his meeting Tuesday with representatives of the potential buyer of the Siemen’s (Dresser-Rand) property on Coats Street. The company closed up shop earlier this year, sending hundreds of workers to the unemployment line and relocating many others. Shayler said earlier this week he would meet with the potential new buyers of the site, but today told Wellsville Regional News exclusively that “there was some miscommunication.” He said “if it’s real, it’s in the very, very early stages.” The Mayor said the group is a manufacturing business that does not currently operate in Allegany County. Shayler said “there’s no question in my mind it (the property) will sell. There is no question in my mind that eventually there will be people working there.” He added “I’m not in a position to say that it will be these guys and they’ll be owning by any date.”
The Mayor hasn’t lost hope in the purchase deal, but noted “if”
is the big word. He concluded regarding the meeting - that “nobody lost anything
today.”
There has been plenty of speculation about what entity might take over the now
idled manufacturing facility.
Village, county, state and federal officials have been
working to fill the vacant site. The closure of the former Dresser-Rand plant
was a major economic blow to the region.
