Expand your Business to Buffalo Niagara

New Flyer is the largest manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses in North America with 3,800 employees and thirteen facilities across the U.S. and Canada. As part of the capital plan to upgrade public transportation in the New York City area, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) awarded New Flyer a contract to refresh the entire system’s bus fleet. The contract required a portion of the final product be manufactured in New York State.

Instead of contracting the work, New Flyer decided to establish a manufacturing facility in the State to build transmission and axle sub-assemblies. These high-value parts would then be shipped to St. Cloud, MN for final assembly. To minimize costs associated with shipping parts to the Midwest, the New Flyer facilities team wanted an assembly plant as far west in NYS as possible. By locating in the most southwestern area of the state, the company determined it can save at least $250 per truckload in shipping costs to Minnesota.

Headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, Whiting Group is an advanced manufacturer with multiple divisions and facilities including Lancaster, NY. The company needed to expand its AMDOR division, which manufacturers roll up doors for fire apparatus, ambulances and other specialty vehicle applications. AMDOR considered expanding at its existing facility in Burlington, or establishing its first U.S. site in Buffalo Niagara, Wisconsin or Florida.

The COVID-19 pandemic held a magnifying glass to many problems that already existed within our society and economy, one of those being the dependence on far away supply chains of personal protective equipment (PPE). This equipment – gowns, masks, face shields, etc. – has helped protect our frontline workers throughout the pandemic. As the globe braces for a potential second wave and attempts to safeguard against future crises, the community and local government has placed its attention on the revitalization of domestic manufacturing and supply of PPE.

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Both Jim Terhune Sr. and his son, James Terhune Jr. followed a similar career path. They both joined the United States Army and then entered a career in the metal and steel business. Today, with over 60 years of combined experience, the two decided it was time to expand Jim Sr.’s business and have his son James Jr. join him. James Jr. led the process and began looking for communities that fit the company’s brand, sites that would suit their needs, and options that would lower startup costs.

Plug Power is a fuel cell company that is “reimagining the energy ecosystem.” The company is building an end-to-end hydrogen power ecosystem including hydrogen production, storage, and delivery with the goal of assisting in the clean energy transfer and decarbonizing the modern economy. Plug Power’s fuel cells will enable the adoption of zero-emission freight transport and logistics handling equipment. The company already had operations in the Albany, NY area and was looking to expand its production capabilities further.

Incentives: Excelsior Job Tax Credits, IDA Tax Abatements, NYPA: Hydropower Allocation, WNY Power Proceeds Program