Herkimer County
Remington Arms successor RemArms closing Ilion plant
RemArms, the current version of Remington Arms, will close its Ilion facility in early March, according to a letter the company sent union officials on Thursday.
“I am writing to inform you that RemArms, LLC (“the Company”) has decided to close its entire operations at 14 Hoefler Avenue, Ilion, NY 13357 (the “Ilion Facility”),” begins the letter ending two centuries of history. “The Company expects that operations at the Ilion Facility will conclude on or about March 4, 2024. The Company did not arrive at this decision lightly.”
The layoffs should take place between March 4 and March 18, wrote Brian Wheatley, director of benefits and compensation for the firm in Kernersville, North Carolina, to officials with the United Mine Workers of America. A view of the Remington Arms factory from the top of Second St. in Ilion.
Remington, the nation’s oldest gunmaker, was founded in Ilion, producing firearms there since 1816. Over the years, the facility has seen layoffs, temporary closures and bankruptcy, but through it all, generations of local families have worked at the plant, which currently employs about 270 workers, according to its union.
Black River Valley
Looking at this 3D rendering of the Black River Valley, I never realized how nearly all the agriculture is on the west side of valley, climbing up into the Tug Hill Plateau. I am most of that has to do with the soils -- the east side is very sandy and infertile with a lot of timber stands. This picture starts around Boonville and heads north of Lowville, the town that rhythms with cow-ville for good reason.
Plantation Island Wildlife Management Area
Little Falls, what you can see from a kayak
Paddling up to Canal Village, Little Falls Hydro Dam and the Falls. I stayed my distance from the hydro dam for obvious safety reasons.
Old River Road in Little Falls
Heading down what remains of Old River Road in Little Falls. You can put a kayak in under the Theodore Wind Bridge, however there is no formal kayak launch, just a good place to put in near the sewage treatment plant.