Schenectady Ge Will Add 500 Jobs

 
Posted by Hugh T. Farley on Wednesday, October 31st, 2007
<P align=left>GE Energy, 4200 Wildwood Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339 </P> <P align=left>SCHENECTADY, NY - October 31, 2007 - Responding to the growing demands of the global energy industry for power generating equipment and services, GE Energy is adding 500 professional positions and over $39 million of investment at its Power Generation business headquarters in Schenectady.&nbsp; As part of the expansion, GE will receive more than $7.5 million in both state and local incentives. </P> <P align=left>The new positions, which will be filled over the next 18-24 months, will support the full range of GE's Power Generation technologies from renewables such as wind and solar to fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal.&nbsp; To provide office space for the expansion, GE also plans to renovate Building 53 at GE's Schenectady campus. </P> <P align=left>"This is an excellent example of the global market driving local growth," said Steve Bolze, President-Power Generation for GE Energy.&nbsp; "We are seeing a dramatic, global increase for cleaner and more efficient ways of producing energy.&nbsp; By expanding our existing resources, we are investing now to ensure we continue to deliver technology solutions that will meet our customers' growing requirements in the years ahead." </P> <P align=left>According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, world demand for all forms of energy is expected to grow by more than 50% over the next two decades.&nbsp; Energy use in developing countries is forecast to soar by more than 90%, while industrialized nations will see an increase of 33%. </P> <P align=left>"GE's decision to expand its operation in Schenectady, and create 500 new jobs demonstrates that the economic tide is turning upstate," said New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer.&nbsp; "GE has been a part of the Schenectady community for over 120 years and today's $5 million state investment will provide a spring board to its future growth and the economic health of the region." </P> <P align=left>"GE's ammouncement to 500 good-paying jobs and make a $40 million investment in its power generation business is great news for Schenectady and the Capital Region," said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.).&nbsp; "This news confirms what I have been saying for years: with our skilled and dedicated workforce, there is no better place to grow or expand your business than right here in upstate New York.&nbsp; I applaud GE's decision to grow their company in the Empire State and wish them great success in this new endeavor." </P> <P align=left>"This is a great day for GE and for the city of Schenectady.&nbsp; The investment GE is making is a testament to their understanding of a global economy that is searching for alternative sources of clean energy," said U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.). "With the addition of 500 new jobs, it is also an investment in furthering the growth and revitalization of the Schenectady area.&nbsp; I have seen firsthand GE's commitment to quality and to the community, and I look forward to watching them continue their partnership with the city as they move forward in the future of energy innovation." </P> <P align=left>&nbsp;"General Electric's latest efforts to expand their wind turbine and renewable energy divisions will address a major problem that is crippling small businesses throughout New York State - rising energy costs - and will create good-paying jobs for New Yorkers," said State Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno (R-Brunswick).&nbsp; "GE is one of the most successful corporations in the world and I am proud that they have decided to continue to expand here, where they began so many years ago.&nbsp; I'd like to congratulate GE on their success and their latest expansion, and applaud them for their continuing commitment to the Capital Region and New York State." </P> <P align=left>"I am grateful to GE for investing in our region," said U.S. Rep. Michael R. McNulty (D-Green Island).&nbsp; "Schenectady has great possibilities for economic growth and at a time when high energy costs are an enormous burden for many Americans, I am thrilled that GE is choosing to invest in finding alternative energy solutions while creating 500 jobs for residents of the Capital District." </P> <P align=left>"This is tremendous news that GE is creating high-paying, engineering jobs in upstate New York," said U.S. Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-Greenport), founder of the Congressional High Tech Caucus.&nbsp; "Creating good paying jobs for our community based on the high-tech industry is one of my top priorities in Congress and I look forward to working with GE in the future to strengthen their alternative energy business even further." </P> <P align=left>"I am thrilled to participate in another announcement of GE's new-millennium commitment to Schenectady," said State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R,C-Schenectady).&nbsp; "In recent years we have seen tremendous growth at the Global Research Center, while today's announcement continues to invigorate the downtown plant.&nbsp; GE came to Schenectady to build the cutting edge technology of the 19th century, and has again chosen our community for highly visible 'ecomagination' projects, which will become the technology standards for future generations." </P> <P align=left>"GE's decision to place 500 high paying engineering jobs in upstate New York is a commitment by one of the world's largest businesses to grow its future here. We are committed to making New York the global leader for clean and alternate energy industries," said Empire State Development Upstate Chairman Daniel C. Gundersen. </P> <P align=left>"Economic development is our number one priority in SchenectadyCounty and this is the biggest win yet in our effort to bring new jobs to our community," said Susan E. Savage, chair of the Schenectady County Legislature.&nbsp; "When we learned of this opportunity to create 500 new high-paying jobs, we immediately reached out to the governor's office to put together a state and local package that helped to convince GE to place these 500 new jobs in Schenectady County.&nbsp; We appreciate Governor Spitzer's support for this project.&nbsp; The governor is a strong partner in our efforts to rebuild the economy here in Schenectady County and across Upstate." </P> <P align=left>"This is great news for Schenectady.&nbsp; We are grateful to the company and to Governor Spitzer for his help in bringing these new high-paying jobs to GE's growing tech campus located in downtown Schenectady," said Schenectady Mayor Brian U. Stratton. "As we have made tremendous strides in rebuilding the city, we have estblished a cooperative, positive relationship with GE and today's announcement is further proof that the company is investing in Schenectady's future." </P> <P align=left>In addition to serving as the management, engineering and commercial operations headquarters for the Power Generation business, the Schenectady complex also includes GE's steam turbine and generator manufacturing facilities, as well as the company's Renewables Global Headquarters." </P> <P align=left>&nbsp; </P> <P align=left>About GE Energy </P> <P align=left>GE Energy (<A href="http://www.ge.com/energy">www.ge.com/energy</A>) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, with 2006 revenue of $19 billion.&nbsp; Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy works in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels.&nbsp; Numerous GE Energy products are certified under ecomagination, GE's corporate-wide initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet pressing environmental challenges. </P> <P align=center>### </P>