Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature, called approval by IUE-CWA Local 301 of contract changes a key step in bringing a new $100 million GE battery plant to Schenectady County creating 350 jobs yesterday.
We are deeply grateful to the membership of IUE-CWA Local 301 for supporting efforts to bring this new business to GE’s Main Energy Campus, said Savage-D, Niskayuna, in a written statement.
`We have worked very hard for more than a year to land the advanced battery manufacturing plant. This project has the potential to be one of the largest investments in the history of Schenectady County,` said Savage.
Savage added that if the project is approved by GE, `it will position Schenectady County to be a leader in renewable energy, an industry expected to create thousands of new jobs in the years ahead.`
In 2007, GE selected Schenectady County as the home for the company’s Renewable Energy Headquarters creating 500 new jobs.
The new battery plant will create 350 jobs and represents a $100 million investment. GE CEO Jeff Immelt, in announcing plans for the battery facility in May, said that thousands of additional jobs would be created by suppliers to the new battery plant.
Governor Paterson committed $15 million to the battery project in May of this year. Federal officials are expected to announce awards from a $2 billion fund established by President Obama and Congress for advanced battery projects very shortly. GE has submitted an application for a share of this funding.
A final decision by GE on the location of the battery plant is expected at any time now that the union has approved contract changes.
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