Press Releases

Washington, DC – Today, during National Small Business Week, U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19) announced Rob Salamida, owner of the Rob Salamida Co., makers of State Fair Spiedie Sauce in Johnson City, has accepted his invitation to participate in the Small Business Showcase on May 1. The event is hosted by the House Committee on Small Business and is an opportunity for committee members to invite one local business owner from their district to showcase their products on a national stage and discuss solutions to challenges they face.

Rob Salamida is a local business owner in Broome County who got his start at age 16, cooking Spiedies on a charcoal grill in front of a tavern and later becoming a vendor at the New York State Fair. Rob started his own business in 1976, coming up with the idea of bottling his famous marinade sauce and seasoning. His company continues to be family owned and now offers sauces in over 12,000 locations across 40 states.

Rep. Molinaro said, “Spiedies are a staple in our community. The nation, and world needs to know about them. I am beyond excited to have Rob Salamida in DC for the Small Business Showcase. He understands firsthand the challenges and rewards that come with entrepreneurship. Turning his small stand at the New York State Fair into a renowned business and local phenomenon, Rob will share his story with other local business owners and the House Committee on Small Business."

Rob Salamida, Founder of Rob Salamida Co. said, "For many people, the American Dream began with owning your own business and persisting through the obstacles of financial risk. Like many startups, I quit a corporate job to start my business, bottling a homemade marinade recipe on top of a pool table in my parent’s basement. I sold cases out of the trunk of my car and barely got by that first year, but we grew to grocery stores across the nation. American small businesses are the backbone of our nation’s economy with six million independent owners employing over 61 million workers.  These enterprises are as vital as any large corporation today." 

Rochelle Layman, Regional Director of NYS Small Business Development Center at Binghamton University said, "The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Binghamton University is thrilled to help celebrate National Small Business Week in Washington DC, joining long-time Broome County small business person and prior SBDC client Rob Salamida, of Rob Salamida Co. We look forward to the opportunity to advocate for all entrepreneurs and start-ups as we strive to provide small businesses with the highest quality confidential counseling, training and industry research at no cost."