Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that SpencerARL New York, Inc., a leader in the transportation assembly industry and a New York State certified woman-owned business, is expanding its operations in Plattsburgh. The company has signed a five year lease for an 80,000 square-foot building in The Development Corporation’s Air Industrial Park in addition to continuing to operate out of its current facility nearby, with the combined square footage of 110,000 square feet. The expansion has already created 47 new jobs in the local community, and the company plans to hire additional people over the next year.
“By expanding their operations in Plattsburgh, SpencerARL has made an investment in the future of the North Country – one that will create jobs and new opportunities,” Governor Cuomo said. “This is another example of how Upstate is on the move, and I am proud that we were able to step in and support the local economy.”
SpencerARL New York specializes in providing third-party logistics services to the transportation manufacturing industries. In 2009, SpencerARL New York opened its facility in Plattsburgh to supply these logistical services, sub-assembly and sequencing to Nova Bus, which had recently begun production at its assembly plant in TDC’s Banker Road Industrial Park. Nova Bus is a leading world-class manufacturer of sustainable transit solutions in North America. Its portfolio includes electric-hybrid, natural gas and bus rapid transit vehicles.
SpencerARL New York’s move to Plattsburgh was a strategic decision by corporate management to use Plattsburgh as a base for continued expansion to other mass-transportation manufacturers in New York and the United States. SpencerARL New York has since signed a contract with Prevost Bus, the leading North American manufacturer of premium passenger coaches and conversion coaches for high-end motorhomes and specialty conversions. SpencerARL New York’s commitment to provide logistics solutions to Nova Bus and Prevost has prompted the need for expansion of both its facility footprint and employment base.
Spencer CEO Lori Fisher said, “SpencerARL New York has worked with Empire State Development, TDC, the transit manufacturing industry and other local officials to bring new jobs to Plattsburgh and is excited about its continuing participation in the revitalization of the Plattsburgh area. We see our training program and the additional on-the-job training as key to our continued success in Plattsburgh.”
To support this expansion project, Empire State Development is providing SpencerARL with $300,000 in Excelsior Jobs Program performance based tax credits which are tied directly to job creation and investment commitments, and will allow the company to reinvest cost savings to make it more competitive when bidding on contracts.
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams said, “By supporting SpencerARL’s expansion, ESD is not only helping to create new jobs but also bringing new investment into the local community. The additional capacity will allow the company to better serve its customers and strengthen the thriving transportation equipment industry in the region.”
TDC’s President and CEO Paul Grasso said, “We are delighted that TDC was again able to accommodate Spencer’s growing business model and meet their business specifications and timing. SpencerARL New York’s success in the region confirms the International Economic Development Council’s belief that on average 80 percent of job creation will come from existing companies in any given region. This is precisely why TDC developed and launched a business retention program for our Parks in 2012. As I have said before, at TDC we feel that our success is defined by the successful companies that are in our region - and clearly success breeds success.”
In addition, SpencerARL New York has submitted a Consolidated Funding Application to New York State Homes and Community Renewal to help with their training needs. The project was designated as a regional priority by the North Country Regional Economic Development Council.
NCREDC Co-chair and President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce Garry Douglas said, “SpencerARL is a great company and a valuable part of our transportation equipment cluster. They are unique in that their skills and expanded operations will not only support Nova Bus and Prevost but hold real possibilities for helping us to draw other contracts and product lines here. And they are good corporate citizens too, engaging in the chamber, the community and workforce development efforts. We thank them for their commitment to Plattsburgh and look forward to continuing to work with them for years to come. Thanks also to Governor Cuomo and the state for all of their assistance and support.”
NCREDC Co-chair and President of Clarkson University Tony Collins said, “Through the NCREDC plan to create jobs and economic growth by focusing on regional strengths and assets, we have transformed the outlook for emerging clusters like the transportation equipment sector into growing realities with critical mass. The expansion at SpencerARL is a terrific example of how the North Country used Governor Cuomo’s new approach to economic development to build unprecedented cooperation among public and private organizations at state, regional and local levels.”
SpencerARL New York, Inc., is run by President and CEO Lori Fisher and is a New York State certified Woman Business Enterprise. Fisher oversees an executive management team that has extensive experience providing material management services to automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers including the Ford Motor Company and General Motors.
Nebe Tamburro, a member of the SpencerARL New York management team, said, “Our relationship with the TDC, the local Department of Labor, the North Country Chamber, the State of New York, especially Empire State Development and Homes and Community Renewal, is ultimately why we have been successful from day one in Plattsburgh. I will once again say that in all of my years building over 70 outsourced facilities in eight different countries that the Plattsburgh team is far and away the best.”
Congressman Bill Owens said, “This is great news for Plattsburgh and the surrounding community, bringing good jobs and growing manufacturing in the region. SpencerARL's decision to expand this facility is a testament to the employees who have helped make the existing facility a success, showing once again that northern New York is a great place for businesses to grow and succeed.”
Senator Betty Little said, “The growing transportation industry is continuing to move the Plattsburgh region’s economy ahead. This expansion adds to that momentum. It really is wonderful to see SpencerARL New York, a New York State certified woman-owned business, thrive and create more jobs. It’s also great to see a local company succeed in partnership with The Development Corporation, Empire State Development, the North Country Chamber and local officials.”
Assemblywoman Janet Duprey said, “I am pleased with the large facility expansion and subsequent addition of new jobs at SpencerARL. As Plattsburgh continues to grow as a transportation hub, this expansion will assure the smooth and timely sub-assembly services to manufacturers such as Prevost and Nova Bus. Congratulations to The Development Corporation for the foresight in providing adequate space for this expansion, and thanks to Governor Cuomo and Empire State Development for their continued investment in the North Country.”
Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Bernie Bassett said, “SpencerARL New York’s expansion is great news for Plattsburgh and a testament to our strategic location and skilled workforce. It is our hope that this project will ensure the company’s competitiveness, allowing them to remain in the Town of Plattsburgh for the long-term. I thank Governor Cuomo for his support in growing the North Country economy.”
Clinton County Legislature Chair Sam Dyer said, “This expansion project has already led to the creation of dozens of good jobs for Clinton County families with the promise of additional jobs in the future. We congratulate SpencerARL on this new venture and thank Governor Cuomo, New York State, TDC and all partners involved in making this project possible.”