Friday, January 21, 2022

Governor Hochul Announces General Motors to Invest Nearly $154M at Lockport Plant for Production of Electric Motor Components

 Electric vehicle car charging

Renovations to the Niagara County Facility will Begin Immediately

Helps to Reduce New York's Carbon Footprint by Accelerating Goals and Availability of Electric Vehicles


 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that General Motors plans to invest nearly $154 million in its Western New York Lockport Components plant. The investment will be used to renovate the facility and purchase and install new machinery and equipment used in the production of the stator module, a key component in an electric motor. Electric motors will be used in a variety of GM's future Ultium Platform-based electric trucks and SUVs. Facility renovations will begin immediately.  

"With this major investment at its Lockport facility, General Motors is taking the next steps to advance an all-electric future," said Governor Hochul. "Not only will this investment provide a boost to Western New York's economy, but it will play a critical role in supporting our efforts to electrify the transportation sector and reduce climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution." 

Gerald Johnson, GM Executive Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Sustainability said, "GM's investment in Lockport reaffirms our commitment to manufacturing in Western New York and our confidence in this team because they will build a crucial module in our electric motor assembly for our future EV trucks and SUVs. We appreciate the support from the state of New York, and it was an important factor in making this investment possible."

As Lockport Components, which is a unionized facility located on Upper Mountain Road, prepares for electric motor component production, the facility will continue to build a variety of components that support GM's current truck and SUV production. Lockport Components currently produces radiators, condensers, heater cores, evaporators, HVAC modules, oil coolers and other components used in a variety of GM trucks. GM currently estimates Lockport Components will add approximately 230 positions between 2023-2026.  Actual staffing plans will be finalized closer to the start of production as the facility transitions to support EV motor component production.

Empire State Development (ESD) will provide up to $5.65 million in Excelsior Jobs Program "green" investment tax credits in return for investment commitments to move the project forward.

Empire State Development Acting Commissioner and President & CEO-designate Hope Knight said, "The auto industry is a critical economic driver in Western New York. General Motors' renovations at its Niagara County facility will help the region continue to lead the way with the next generation of electric vehicles and support New York's transition to the green economy."

New York State has also been supporting the location through the allocation of 18 megawatts of low-cost hydropower from the New York Power Authority's Niagara Power Project in Lewiston.

NYPA Interim President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, "The decision from General Motors to expand in Lockport is great news for Western New York. General Motors has been a longtime hydropower customer of the Power Authority, so it's exciting to see the firm continue to grow and create jobs in the region."

Lockport Components was founded in 1910 as the Harrison Radiator Company for the purpose of designing, manufacturing, and selling automotive radiators and components. With more than 1,500 employees, the site is focused on continuous improvement through a joint team process between UAW Local 686, Local 55 and plant management.

About General Motors 

General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which powers everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, CadillacBaojunand Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at https://www.gm.com.

About Empire State Development 

Empire State Development (ESD) is New York's chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the New York State Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of "I LOVE NY," the State's iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, please visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.

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