STATE ANNOUNCES TWO MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP ONEIDA BUS MANUFACTURER EXPAND

DATELINE: ALBANY, N.Y.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer, D-N.Y., has issued the following news release:

Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced that DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses of North America, Inc., a leading manufacturer of transit buses in Oneida County, has been awarded $2 million in state economic development assistance to support a planned expansion designed to retain 500 jobs and create nearly 60 new jobs.

The company will receive $945,000 from the Empire State Development Corporation and $750,000 from the Office for Small Cities, a subsidiary of the Housing Trust Fund Corporation, which will be used toward the renovation of Orion's Oriskany plant, acquisition of machinery and equipment, and expenses related to the company's health insurance costs for new employees. The State Department of Labor has provided $350,000 in matching funds and is already at work training workers in project management, leadership, graphic design, and other skills.

"For 25 years, DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses has contributed to the Utica economy, providing economic security for countless families," said Governor Spitzer. "Targeted economic development grants like these are essential to growing the economy and strengthening Upstate communities."

President of DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses North America, Andreas Strecker, said: "All of us at DCCBNA very much appreciate the Governor's support of our operations as we continue to build the highest quality Orion brand city transit buses for the North American market. Our leadership continues with our deliveries of hybrid electric buses for major customers such as New York City Transit as we help them to address issues such as environmental emissions and energy security."

Upstate Chair of Empire State Development, Daniel C. Gundersen, said: "The Department of Labor, Small Cities and Empire State Development all recognized how important this business is to the Mohawk Valley, and worked together to ensure Upstate would be the preferred location for DaimlyerChrysler Commercial Buses' consolidation. I'm pleased Empire State Development supported the retention of 500 jobs here, and hope this project demonstrates that New York State is working hard to stimulate Upstate New York's economy."

Senator Joseph Griffo said: "DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses Inc. is a top notch company that provides a quality standard of living for a number of people in Central New York. I am pleased to see the State work with the leaders of Orion to ensure that they will continue to thrive in our Community."

Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito said: "DaimlerChrysler's Whitestown facility continues to be one of the largest employers in the Mohawk Valley, and this grant is an extremely important step to ensure that we retain these vital manufacturing jobs, and work toward the creation of new jobs. We are all very excited about the potential growth of the upstate economy under Governor Spitzer's administration, and this state support will only continue our efforts to retain five hundred jobs and add another fifty-nine for our community."

Chair of the Housing Trust Fund Corporation, Deborah VanAmerongen, said: "We need to do all we can to revitalize our Upstate economies and this project is pivotal in that effort. Governor Spitzer has shown a real commitment to supporting New York businesses and making it possible for working families to get ahead."

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner, Patricia Smith, said: "The Department of Labor is proud to have played its part in the STRAP program that allowed DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses to maintain and train its current workforce. This interagency effort to keep DaimlerChrysler in upstate New York and strengthen the skill set of their workers is a model we should continue to follow throughout the state."

In addition to the plant expansion, DaimlerChysler Commercial Buses also has been selected by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to develop an updated version of their highly successful hybrid (diesel-electric) transit bus powertrain. A $500,000 NYSERDA contract will help share the costs of the first phase of development.

President and CEO of NYSERDA, Paul D. Tonko, said: "NYSERDA has worked over the years with Orion and other New York companies to advance hybrid-electric transit bus production right here in the State. Orion has just been selected through our competitive program, to update their power train for more efficient, cleaner operation. The $500,000 NYSERDA contract may serve as a first phase of a three-phase development program that would see new models on the street by the end of the decade."

Orion Bus Industries, a division of DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses of North America, Inc., (DCCBNA) is a full-line bus manufacturer, offering products from mini-shuttle buses to full-size highway motor coaches. It is a leading manufacturer of transit buses and in the past five years has manufactured over 1,000 buses for the New York City Metropolitan area.