Apples Making an Impact on Local Economy Apple Industry Boosts Local Economy

Many themes come to mind when October is mentioned. Some think of the beautiful leaves that change colors. Others may think of football games on Friday nights and weekends. While New Yorkers have those experiences too, nothing says Fall in the Empire State like apples. And few know this more than Keith O’Neill, the owner of O’Neill’s Orchard in Lafayette. Upstate New York is one of the best places to grow apples as far as the climate, and… people like a fresh product. They like a good apple…and…everybody that lives here and moves South when they come back they come here. They come to the New York State apples which they can’t get in other places. Keith has owned and operated O’Neill’s since 1986, and he is not wrong about the local apples. The produce not only tastes great, but helps local businesses as well. A Cornell University study finds that the apple industry creates over 12,000 jobs and brings in more than $2 billion dollars to the state’s economy. This year’s harvest is steady even though weather became a concern when the apples were initially planted says O’Neill. Well from my perspective it’s a pretty good crop. It was a little bit on the light side because of the damage to the buds last November. Late last fall there was a hail storm that destroyed some of this year’s produce Although there might be a smaller selection, O’Neill says his business is as steady as ever, and apples are at the core of his success. I wouldn’t have a business if I didn’t have the apples…so no apple no business.