PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (WCAX) – Micro Bird will take over operations of the Nova Bus facility in Plattsburgh that was slated to close next year, according to the governor’s office.
The Canadian company, a joint venture between Blue Bird Corporation and Girardin, is the largest manufacturer of school buses in North America and builds both electric and non-electric buses. They plan to invest $38 million into capital expenses and training and create 350 full-time jobs over five years at the Plattsburgh facility.
“New York’s manufacturing sector is in the midst of a major renaissance and is a major driver of our economy. I am proud to welcome Micro Bird to the North Country where they can take advantage of our top talent, a thriving transportation cluster, and the major investments we have made across the region,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
The move will allow the more than 300 Nova Bus employees to transition to similar employment, Hochul said.
“This family-owned and operated company will be a welcomed addition to the North Country transportation manufacturing hub and will continue our welcomed partnership with Canadian companies as well as create job opportunities in our bustling manufacturing sector,” Assemblyman Billy Jones, D-Chateaugay Lake, said in a statement.
Nova Bus announced last year it would end bus production at the plant after the company’s owners, Volvo, said they made the decision to bring all their manufacturing back to Canada, citing continued financial losses over the years.
“This is a great opportunity for our company to expand our operations in the State of New York. This investment is part of a growth strategy to double production capacity and better meet the sustained and growing demand for its products,” Micro Bird president and CEO Eric Boulé said in a statement,
Micro Bird plans to begin production next summer.