|
|
|
 |
|
About Tech Valley
|
Things to Do
|
Employment
|
Housing
|
Relocation
|
Education
|
Site Selection
|
News & Events
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Tech Valley News
Nova Bus to Build Facility in Tech Valley
Nova Bus held a ceremonial ground breaking at the site of its planned $25 million bus-assembly plant in Plattsburgh.
“I'm pleased to announce today that after looking at a number of Northeast states, they picked the best one and are relocating their bus-manufacturing facility right here in Plattsburgh,” New York Gov. David Patterson said. “So many Canadian companies are looking to expand to the United States. That is why Nova Bus is here today.”
Operations at the 136,000-square-foot plant are set to begin in early 2009 with production to begin in March and the first bus to roll off the assembly line in December.
Nova Bus will assemble its LFS (Low Floor System) buses at the facility. They feature a stainless steel body, fiberglass body panels and PVC ground skirts, which eliminate the need for a mid-life overhaul after 8 to 10 years and significantly speed collision repairs.
More than 3,500 of its LFS buses are in service in the United States and Canada.
At peak production, the plant would produce two buses a day.
“This is a world-class company that has recognized the power of Plattsburgh's connectivity with Montreal and will now become another central player in our emergence as a North American hub for transportation equipment manufacturing and service," Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas said.
The plant will initially employ 150-175 workers which is expected to increase to 300 at full capacity. The workforce could expand to 435 employees if business is strong.
There is room for expansion of the production area and office space.
Nova Bus Chief Project Engineer Francis St-Cyr said production jobs are likely to be filled with local residents.
New York state will provide a $1.3 million JOBS NOW capital grant through the Empire State Development Corp., and $1.65 million could come from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the New York Office of Small Cities.
By locating in Plattsburgh, Nova Bus also meets Federal Transit Administration Buy America requirements allowing it to compete for large metropolitan transit contracts.
Nova Bus is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volvo Bus Corp., the second largest motorcoach and transit bus manufacturing group in the world.
|
|
|
|