O’Mara: New Alstom contract will bring another 'foundation of manufacturing' for Southern Tier ~ Read more (UPDATED, July 26)

Hornell, N.Y., July 25—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) applauded today’s announcement that the contract is expected to be finalized this week for Amtrak to select Alstom Transportation Inc. to manufacture the rail cars as part of a $2.5-billion program to build its next fleet of high-speed trains, a contract that’s expected to create over 750 manufacturing jobs, including 400 directly at Alstom’s Hornell facility.

O’Mara, a member of the Senate Transportation Committee, said, “The creation of approximately 400 manufacturing jobs at Alstom is unbelievably great and important news for the Southern Tier economy and especially for Alstom’s workers and their families together with the entire Hornell area.  It’s another foundation of manufacturing that’s critically important to job growth in Steuben County, across the Southern Tier and all throughout Upstate New York.  It’s an unbelievable testament to the quality of Alstom and its workforce, as well as to the perseverance of Senator Schumer, Congressman Reed, Mayor Hogan and so many community leaders. Very simply, it’s going to make a huge difference for the future of economic development across the Southern Tier.”

The announcement of the final contract was first made earlier today by United States Senator Charles E. Schumer and Congressman Tom Reed.  According to Schumer’s announcement, the finalized contract will create approximately 400 jobs in Hornell as well as potentially an additional 350 or more across the upstate region.  Alstom employs over 1,000 people throughout upstate New York and is expanding.  Alstom facilities, particularly in Hornell, have delivered steam, diesel-electric, electric, and high-speed rail technology, including more than 7,000 transit vehicles, to customers throughout the nation.

[UPDATE, July 26: see attached article above from today's Hornell Evening Tribune]