Soft-Tex International, a leading producer of bedding and home comfort products based in Waterford, has opened a facility in Sugar Land, Texas, which it said will provide an immediate improvement in overall shipping efficiency and double the company’s production capacity for fiber-filled products, adding hundreds of new jobs over the course of 2021.

In the first half of 2020, Soft-Tex previously announced an expansion doubling capacity and set an aggressive target of continued domestic expansion by at least 20 percent per year for the next five years. The ramp up of the new facility will double the total of domestic capacity, far exceeding the annual growth target.

The company also has plans to add 40,000 square feet of storage and office space. The mattress and pillow maker received approval from the Halfmoon Planning Board in March to add warehouse space at 430 Hudson River Road in Halfmoon, next door to an existing Soft-Tex factory.

The Sugar Land facility will begin immediate warehousing and distribution operations that will improve overall shipping efficiency to both retailer warehouse networks and direct-to-consumer shipments with three-day or better ground service coverage, as Soft-Tex scales inventory balancing, officials said in a news release.

In parallel, Soft-Tex will add new production equipment for fiber-filled products and personnel in Texas and hopes to begin manufacturing at the facility by June 1.

“As promised, Soft-Tex has delivered and now continues to expand upon its commitment to growing its domestic footprint,” Soft-Tex principal Mark Smiderle said at the opening of the Sugar Land facility. “These efforts will continue to improve Soft-Tex’s, and in turn, our partners’, overall service quality, speed, and costs, which we recognize is critical to driving continued growth.”

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors has approved more than $48 million in grants, interest-free loans, and low-cost loans to support vital drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects across New York state, including two local projects.

The 2022 Enacted Budget adds a $500 million appropriation to support clean water, raising the state’s total investment to $4 billion and continuing to fulfill the state’s $5 billion clean water commitment, officials said.

“Clean water and functioning water infrastructure are essential parts of the standard of living and qualify-of-life for all New Yorkers, and towns and villages across the state have an ongoing need for wastewater treatment plants and water tanks that needs to be filled,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “The newly enacted budget dedicates $500 million to support clean water initiatives which increases our investment and brings the state closer to fulfilling its commitment to New Yorkers. These projects will underscore our pledge to help protect the environment and the health of New York’s residents and families.”

Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Joseph Rabito said, “By approving these grants and low-cost financing for critical water infrastructure work, the EFC Board of Directors has ensured that communities statewide can cost-effectively undertake important projects that help protect our precious water resources.”

MVP Health Care and The University of Vermont Health Network announced the launch of a partnership between the two local nonprofit health care organizations in order to offer a patient-focused, physician-designed Medicare Advantage health insurance plan to better meet the needs of residents of Vermont and northern New York.

Services for this plan is expected to begin on Jan. 1, 2022.

“With a shared mission of creating innovative solutions and sustaining healthy communities, MVP Health Care and the UVM Health Network will enthusiastically co-create a health plan that supports stronger relationships between members and physicians, and will positively impact the communities we serve,” said MVP Health Care President and CEO Christopher Del Vecchio. “By reinforcing vital provider relationships, focusing on improving the lives of people in our communities, and leaning on the patient-centered missions of our two organizations, we will make health insurance more convenient, more supportive and more personal.”