NEW WINDSOR - The Orange County Industrial Development Agency on Thursday approved giving $500,000 to Amy's Kitchen for infrastructure work at the 200-acre site in Goshen the company has selected as a possible location for a natural-food manufacturing plant.

The money from the IDA piggybacks on $800,000 New York state plans to give Amy's Kitchen for infrastructure work, including modification of an intersection on Route 17M and roadwork, according to a letter the company sent the IDA last week. Amy's announced last month that it would employ 681 people in a 350,000 to 500,000-square-foot natural foods manufacturing plant it proposes to build in the Town of Goshen.

The California company has been considering other sites, but the $500,000 helps Amy's advance in Orange County, said IDA Chairman Robert Armistead. The IDA will set a public hearing for the other benefits Amy's has requested, including a $4.5 million property tax abatement, $420,000 in mortgage tax exemptions and $6.5 million in sales and use tax exemptions.

The resolution the IDA passed Thursday states that Amy's would have to pay back the $500,000 if it ends up not coming to Goshen. Armistead said Amy's would not start the infrastructure work until it decides for sure to build the $95 million plant.

County Executive Steve Neuhaus, who attended Thursday's special meeting, said the money would ensure Amy's lands in Goshen.

“What you guys did today makes it a done deal,” Neuhaus said.