PLATTSBURGH — Another Nova Bus supplier is set to start production in renovated space at Imperial Industrial Park in the City of Plattsburgh.

SOLVE Composites has signed a five-year lease for 39,028 square feet of space.

Erin Hynes of The Development Corp. said SOLVE will create 44 jobs within the first two years of production.

"These are quality jobs, with good compensation and benefits," she said in a news release. "Local employment opportunities will range from engineers and technicians to logistics personnel and laminators."

DEC PERMIT

SOLVE recently received New York State Department of Environmental Conservation approval for its Article 19 Air State Facility permit. That has allowed it to move into production.

The company was formed by BFG International CEO Samer Aljishi and Damien Jacquinet, an entrepreneur with extensive experience in composite technology.

BFG is a global company that specializes in production of integrated systems for railcars, railcar panels and front ends and many other components for rail, air and automotive customers.

FOCUS ON QUALITY

Jacquinet said the company's proven composite technology and efficient processes will allow it to design and manufacture composite parts for the transportation and building industries that can compete on both price and quality.

"Our goal is to provide our customers with fast turnaround, exceptional quality, unparalleled customer service and competitive pricing," he said.

"Moving forward, we plan on positioning SOLVE as a forward-thinking company that continually invests in new ideas and technologies."

JOINT EFFORT

City of Plattsburgh Mayor Donald Kasprzak said that bringing SOLVE to Imperial was the culmination of a strong collaborative process between The Development Corp., Empire State Development, State Office of Community Renewal, city employees and Imperial Industrial Park Manager David Bray.

"This hard work and cooperation resulted in bringing new jobs to the city, which not only benefits the City of Plattsburgh but also the entire North Country as well," the mayor said.

"My office was pleased to be part of this process and ultimate success and looks forward to participating in bringing future jobs and quality companies like SOLVE Composites to the area."

'HUGE WIN'

Bray said many of Imperial's tenants are associated with mass transit, which shows the wisdom of bringing Bombardier and Nova Bus to the area. The economic-development agencies and government offices involved deserve congratulations, he said.

"SOLVE is a huge win for the community and our work force," Bray said. "This didn't happen by accident."

Hynes said the company will also provide employees with comprehensive on-the-job training that will only enhance their existing skills, as well as the overall competitiveness of the region's work force.

JOB ELIGIBILITY

In March, the City of Plattsburgh was awarded a $650,000 Small Cities Grant from the New York State Office of Community Renewal to assist the company with its training and equipment needs. That grant will be administered by The Development Corp.

North Country Workforce Investment Board Executive Director Paul Grasso said that funding was instrumental in creation of the new jobs.

"Of the 44 new full-time jobs SOLVE will create over the next two years, 28 will be made available to low- and moderate-income individuals through the grant from the New York State Office on Community Renewal," he said.

"The North Country is growing, and the funds provided by this grant will give our region the additional support needed to build a skilled workforce."

Aljishi said the city is an excellent base for BFG International to launch its North American market expansion. The combination of location near present and potential clients and economic incentives guided the company's decision, he said.

"The Development Corporation has been tremendously proactive in anticipating all our needs and supporting us in full during the critical startup phase."

E-mail Dan Heath at:

dheath@pressrepublican.com