Sen. Schumer visits Micro Bird to discuss expansion plans

PLATTSBURGH | With a tour and roundtable discussion held at the Micro Bird Inc. manufacturing facility, Sen. Charles Schumer committed his efforts to increase federal transportation support for expansion. At a press conference after the meetings, Schumer said he was impressed by the workforce and systems in place for building small- and mid-sized buses at Micro Bird's newly opened American plant. "This is the first time I'm touring the Micro Bird facility," he said. "It is impressive, boy, going through the tour of the factory. Each line is timed to 74 minutes, exactly. That's impressive." The plant was slated for closure by Nova Bus in June 2023. But a combined push led by Schumer and Gov. Kathy Hochul established new facility use for Micro Bird. "Almost exactly a year ago, we received official word that Micro Bird would be taking over this plant," Schumer recalled. "And with the factory up and running, we have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving season." Schumer was joined by Micro Bird Executive Chairman Steve Girardin whose family founded the manufacturing company's minibus brand in Quebec in 1966. They established a joint venture with the U.S.-based Blue Bird Corporation in 2009. The partnership builds small to mid-size bus designed by Girardin. Plattsburgh operations moved a large portion of Micro Bird production to the U.S. this year. "When they started, they thought it would be about 210 (employees)," Schumer said. "But I asked Mr. Girardin, and they've got a lot of back orders coming in. They need some things legislatively, but this is good news for future workers." Micro Bird invested $38 million in the facility and has expanded its workforce, Schumer said, employing close to 300 people in Plattsburgh with plans to increase that number to 350. "Because of this investment, America's buses will be stamped with Made in Upstate New York, courtesy of the world class Plattsburgh workforce. "And I went and met some of the workers. They are skilled and diligent and they also seem happy," Schumer said at the press conference. "Because the company treats them nicely." They are making shorter buses now, Schumer added, "but next year they hope to expand production to include the larger 'Low-No', Low-or-No-Emissions vehicles, as they do in Quebec, which is why I'm fighting to boost funding for U.S. Transportation's Low-or-No-Emission Bus Grant Program. We have a budget coming up and this is one of my priorities." Transportation systems in New York have received over $364 million through the Low-No program since the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Act was passed in 2021 to support U.S. innovation in transportation technology. "These grants help local communities buy buses and support American manufacturers like Micro Bird's growth in the North Country." Clinton County, New York has long been the heart of American transportation manufacturing, the senator said. "We have great infrastructure, a top-notch workforce. Companies across the world want to build their buses, trains, cars here." Jeffrey Lambert, general manager for Alstom in Plattsburgh, attended the tour and meetings with Schumer and Girardin at Micro Bird. Schumer pointed to Alstom's state-of-the-art subway and railcar assembly operations nearby. "As Congress begins to work on our next transportation funding bill, I am thinking of Micro Bird and the powerhouse workforce here in Plattsburgh and will be fighting to deliver federal dollars to support transportation upgrades across New York State. "Upgrading our transportation is important for everyone, whether you are a daily commuter on Long Island, ride a bus rapid transit route in Albany or Syracuse or are one of the hundreds of hardworking employees here in Plattsburgh making subway cars or buses." Micro Bird invested $38 million in operations to refit the 156,000 square foot plant previously owned by Nova Bus. A push to retain manufacturing operations at the site was facilitated by Schumer, Gov. Hochul, North Country Chamber of Commerce President Garry Douglas and key area business leaders. The facility refit was supported by $10 million in Empire State Development (ESD) Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits and a $2.5 million capital grant through the North Country Regional Economic Development Council. Area business and elected leaders joined Schumer in the discussion, including Douglas; Assemblyman Michael Cashman; Charles Kostyk, Town of Plattsburgh supervisor; Clinton County Administrator Christine Peters; Clinton County Industrial Development Agency Executive Director Molly Ryan and CV-TEC Director Michele Friedman. ARTS CENTER LAKE PLACID After leaving Plattsburgh, Schumer traveled to the Lake Placid Center for the Arts (LPCA) where he announced $1 million in federal funding for the center's new Arts and Early Childhood Education Hub. "This new hub is a win-win-win that will improve access to arts and education for Essex County residents, boost tourism for the entire North Country, and solidify the center's status as a gem of the North Country, as I have long known it to be," Schumer said in a news release. "I was proud to deliver this federal funding and will always fight to deliver resources for Essex County and the North Country." LPCA broke ground on the $33 million renovation project in September and will rebrand their organization as the Arts Center Lake Placid. Construction is expected to continue through September 2027. The $1 million in funding for LPCA, becoming the ACLP, was allocated in the recently passed FY2026 Agriculture-Rural Development Budget bill. Schumer also provided $1 million in federal funding for the center's renovation from the Northern Border Regional Commission.

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Sen. Schumer visits Micro Bird to discuss expansion plans

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