Ë®¹ûÅÉAV

The city will use the funding, which is provided through the state's Community Resiliency, Economic Sustainability and Technology Program, to buy EarthPlanter self-watering hanging baskets and planters from Bo-Mer Custom Manufacturing, an Auburn company.

Auburn already has several EarthPlanter self-watering pots in the downtown area. However, Mayor Jimmy Giannettino noted that they are still using older hanging baskets and planters.

The state grant will allow the city to have 100% EarthPlanter self-watering hanging baskets and pots beginning next year. Giannettino said it will increase the efficiency of the city's beautification program.

In a statement, May, D-Syracuse, said she is pleased that her office secured the funding to "enhance the area with self-watering planters designed and made right here in Auburn."

Andrew Simkin, who owns the Phoenix Building and chairs the Auburn Downtown Business Improvement District's board of directors, lauded May for securing the funding to support the purchase of new planters. Auburn City Councilor Ginny Kent added that there have been positive comments about the flowers in downtown Auburn. The city's Flower Power program, she continued, supports businesses by creating a "very welcoming appearance."

Giannettino said the grant is a "win-win for Auburn" because the city can buy new pots while also highlighting a local manufacturer. Bo-Mer, which is located on Pulaski Street, was founded in 1946. The company has 65 employees.

Ë®¹ûÅÉAV featured the manufacturer in its "Made in Auburn" series in 2024. Tom Herbert, who owns Bo-Mer, told the newspaper that the manufacturer has 190 customers. Some of its clients include Amazon, SpaceX and Walmart.

EarthPlanter is a division of Bo-Mer. The company was acquired in 2010 and continues to grow. Herbert told Ë®¹ûÅÉAV last year that EarthPlanter's business is growing by 30 to 40% a year.

Auburn is among more than 2,500 municipalities and over 500 colleges and universities that use EarthPlanter's self-watering pots.

EarthPlanter has been receiving more attention this summer due to The Business Council of New York State's second annual "Coolest Thing Made in NY" contest. The Auburn company is one of two finalists in the competition. The winner will be announced on Sept. 18.

"With this grant, we want to send a message to the world that these great products, made here in Auburn, can help you not only beautify your downtown but attract business as well," Giannettino said.