Chautauqua County’s top elected official is seeking to get to the bottom of why Refresco chose to cut ties with local grape growers. County Executive P.J. Wendel, who was a guest on WDOE’s “Viewpoint” program on Monday, says the local beverage processing company’s decision last week to cancel all of its grape contracts came as a shock to him. Wendel says he plans to hold a meeting with Refresco representatives and the Chautauqua County IDA to find out more…
P.J. Wendel: finding out what caused this
In a statement released to a news outlet in Erie, Pennsylvania, Refresco said its decision was “the result of sustained grape market challenges and supply imbalances that we do not expect will recover in the foreseeable future.” Meanwhile, Wendel indicated that there may be some new opportunities for local growers to sell their product…..