Area Development
Vapor Stone Rail Systems, a division of Wabtec Corporation, plans to expand its operations and create 52 new jobs in the Town of Plattsburgh, Clinton County, New York.

The company, which is known for its public transit components and has been operating in Plattsburgh since 1998, will lease 60,000-square-feet of manufacturing and warehouse space adjacent to the airport facility.

The company ‘s plans builds on the Governor's $38.1 million commitment to transform Plattsburgh International Airport into a modern transportation and economic development hub. The airport project, which is part of the Governor's Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, furthers the state's commitment to reimagine and rebuild transportation gateways across New York, and is expected to be complete this fall.

"The Plattsburgh International Airport is quickly becoming a 21st century transit hub, transforming the way residents and visitors travel while fostering new business opportunities throughout the region," Governor Andrew Cuomo said. "I commend Vapor Stone Rail Systems for not only investing in the expansion of its North Country facility, but for investing in employee training that will help provide the hard-working men and women of this region good-paying jobs for years to come."

Vapor Stone Rail Systems plans to invest nearly $2.5 million in machinery, relocation expenses and employee training to fit out a new 60,000-square-foot facility that is currently under construction. The new building, an element of the Plattsburgh International Airport upgrade project, is supported through a public-private partnership between the New York State Department of Transportation and the Plattsburgh-based Development Corporation.

Empire State Development will also provide up to $700,000 in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits to support the creation of at least 52 new full-time jobs. The company plans to also retain its current Plattsburgh-based workforce of nearly 100 employees.

The $38.1 million transformation of the airport was first introduced as a component of Round Two of the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, which was announced in Governor Cuomo's 2017 State of the State address. The most impactful components of this project focus on modernizing the facility to support the growing transportation equipment and aerospace industry in and around Plattsburgh and the entire North Country.

In March, crews completed the demolition of eight on-site buildings and the installation of a boarding bridge. They also began construction of the new multimodal terminal building, and the general aviation and cargo customs facilities. Renovations are underway on four light industrial buildings, two aircraft hangars and a rental car facility, along with the rehabilitation of the main terminal parking lot, and the build out of concessions in the terminal. The total project, which will support more than 800 construction jobs, is expected to be completed by this fall.