New York Governor Paterson Announces 300 New Jobs For The North Country

Volvo Group’s Nova Bus to Build New Assembly Plant in Plattsburgh

April 16, 2008 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that Nova Bus, an international transportation company, will operate its new transit bus assembly plant in Plattsburgh, creating 300 new jobs and securing millions in private investment.

New York Governor David Paterson: Photo courtesy New York Governor's office

New York State will provide a $1.3 million JOBS Now capital grant for Nova Bus, a North American leader in the design, production and marketing of urban transit buses. The new $25 million manufacturing facility will allow Nova Bus to better compete in the United States market.

“This is the kind of targeted investments we need to make to revitalize communities and secure the good, stable jobs that are the bedrock of any economy,” said Governor Paterson. “We have made a commitment to Nova Bus and in turn this company is making a commitment to this community that will pay dividends for years to come. I am proud to welcome Nova Bus to the North Country.”

The Quebec-based company, a subsidiary of Volvo Group will operate from a new assembly plant whose construction will begin immediately at the Banker Road Industrial Park in Plattsburgh. Nova Bus anticipates completing the building by January 2009, starting test production in March 2009 and full production in the summer of 2009. Nova Bus will employ 160 workers by the end of 2009, 240 by the end of 2010, and 300 by the end of 2011. Nova Bus will purchase and install more than $5.7 million in machinery and equipment and initiate a $1.5 million worker training program.

The 135,740-square-foot facility will manufacture urban transit buses for the United States mass transit market. Nova Bus has been supplying buses predominantly to Canadian public transit systems and a small number of U.S. customers. To better compete in the U.S. transit bus market, Nova had to establish a U.S. assembly plant to comply with the Federal Transit Administration’s Buy America requirements. Those rules mandate that a majority of a bus’s parts must be manufactured and assembled in the U. S. in order for the bus to be purchased using FTA funds.

After considering locations in several east coast states, Nova Bus chose Plattsburgh because of its proximity to its headquarters in Quebec and the opportunity to sell to New York State’s many transit authorities. New York State currently has over 10,000 transit buses and is home to five of the top 50 public transportation bus systems in the country.

Nova Bus President and CEO Gilles Dion said: “Today represents a significant milestone in the history of Nova Bus. We thank the Town of Plattsburgh and New York State for the warm welcome, and we look forward to building new partnerships with operators and to contributing to the development of American public transit.”

Senator Elizabeth Little: “Nova Bus's investment in Plattsburgh is exciting, beneficial to our area, and truly appreciated. I am grateful to Governor Paterson for the state financial grant and to all who have worked so hard to attract this company. And I thank our area workforce whose reputation gets a company the size of Nova Bus to select Plattsburgh as their location.”

Assemblywoman Janet Duprey said: “I am pleased to welcome Nova Bus to Plattsburgh and the North Country. The investment of our Canadian neighbors is a further testament to the outstanding workforce and welcoming business community in Clinton County. I look forward to working with Nova Bus and regret the Assembly Session prevents me from personally attending this groundbreaking event.”

Upstate Empire State Development Chairman Daniel C. Gundersen said: “This is yet another international company that has chosen to locate its manufacturing operations here, proving that New York State is a great place to do business. Companies like Nova are vital to our economy because, according to recent statistics, foreign direct investment in New York is $62 billion and 378,000 New Yorkers are employed by these foreign-owned companies.”

Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Bernie Bassett said: “I am thrilled to have the new Nova Bus plant come to the Town of Plattsburgh. This announcement is another sign of our town's growing economy and one more example of the many new job opportunities that are becoming available. I have visited their plant in Saint-Eustache, Quebec, and observed the quality production line and team approach to their work environment. I believe our strong North Country work ethic, as well as the many excellent education programs available for training, will be an asset to Nova Bus and their long term success in the Town.”

The Development Corporation of Clinton County is the developer of the Banker Road Industrial Park.

Adoré Flynn Kurtz, President of The Development Corporation in Clinton County said: “The decision by Nova Bus to locate its U.S. facility in the Town of Plattsburgh is a confirmation that our location, New York State’s economic development incentives and the skills of the local workforce are a winning combination. The selected site is a shovel-ready Build-Now NY site and is designated in the City of Plattsburgh Empire Zone. The cooperation of the Town and City of Plattsburgh with The Development Corporation has positioned the community to be able to capitalize on this remarkable project with Nova Bus. The bus assembly plant’s tight construction schedule and the short North Country construction season can both be accommodated as a result of the economic vision, infrastructure development and the long-standing collaboration of the Town, the City and The Development Corporation.”

In addition, Nova Bus is eligible for an estimated $8.6 million in Empire Zone tax credits and can apply for up to $400,000 from the NYSERDA New Construction Program, and up to $500,000 from NYSERDA’s Enhanced Commercial and Industrial Performance Program.

The Town of Plattsburgh or Clinton County may also apply for a $750,000 Small Cities grant on behalf of Nova Bus to be applied to costs associated with this project.

Source: New York Governor

Bookmark/Search this post with:

 •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •