Updates from the North American Center of Excellence for Transportation Equipment
Welcome to the Cluster!
Please join us in officially welcoming the four newest members of the North Country's Transportation Equipment & Aerospace Cluster:


  • Loya's Welding and Machine - is a full-service welding, machine, and fabrication shop capable of fine machining and manufacturing

  • Haun Welding Supply - distributes welding and industrial products, compressed and liquid gasses. Welding training, repair, and rentals are also available.

  • Frank Murken Products (FMP) - is a gasket fabricator, hose assembly fabricator, and distributor supplying the Aerospace, Construction, Transportation, Pharmaceutical, Energy, Chemical, and Semi-conductor markets.
With these new additions, the Cluster has now grown to 58 companies.

Seifert, Haun, FMP, and Loya's will now have access to a wide range of NAmTrans exclusive benefits including training programs, technical assistance, company promotion, networking events, referrals, and more.

Interested in joining the cluster? Contact Joel - joel@northcountrychamber.com - to learn more!
Aviation Manufacturing Relief Grants included in American Rescue Plan
On March 11th, the President signed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act - a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus bill - into law.

In addition to making a number of favorable changes to popular business relief programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program and Employee Retention Tax Credit, the ARP Act also expands assistance to aerospace manufacturers via the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection program.

This new program establishes a $3 billion payroll support program, to be administered by the Department of Transportation (DOT), to provide grants to eligible aviation manufacturers and their suppliers to enable them to maintain their workforce during the pandemic.

Funds would need to be used to retain current employees or to recall employees who were previously laid off. It would cover 50% of employees’ total compensation level (including health care benefits) while employers will be responsible for the other 50%

Eligibility Criteria

  • Demonstrate need by (1) having involuntarily furloughed or laid off 10 percent of its workforce or (2) having experienced at least a 15 percent reduction in revenue in 2020 compared to 2019.

  • Must (1) be actively manufacturing an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or a component, part, or systems of an aircraft or aircraft engine under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) production approval; (2) hold an FAA certificate for maintenance, repair, and overhaul of aircraft, aircraft engines, components, or propellers; or (3) operate a process certified to SAE AS 9100 related to the design, development or provision of aviation products and services, including a part, component, or assembly.

  • Must have significant operations and a majority of its employees engaged in aviation manufacturing activities based in the United States.
DOT is still establishing internal program guidelines so guidance on application deadlines and procedures are forthcoming.
Cluster News
Nova Bus Secures First Electric Bus Order in the U.S.
Nova Bus was recently selected to supply 15 LFSe+ long range, fully-electric buses to the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS), the largest transit agency in Wisconsin and primary transit provider for Milwaukee County.

This is Nova Bus' first electric bus order in the United States and the buses will be produced in Plattsburgh, New York.

"This is the news we have been waiting for. This is the arrival of the future," says Garry Douglas, North Country Chamber of Commerce President. "The national and global market is clearly starting the transition to electric buses and Nova Bus along with its battery technology partners at BAE have positioned our area to be a very important part of this exciting new development. This places us not only at the heart of the changing transit market but at the center of the evolving clean energy, green technology economy. It all starts with the first order and that start is here."

Adds Douglas, "We congratulate Nova Bus and their BAE partners for this historic order, and we thank them for choosing Plattsburgh as the place for this new production. It is a testament to their years of technology development and to the talent of our area workforce and suppliers. Onward and upward, and on the bus! An electric bus!"
B3CG Interconnect Inc. is now AQ Wiring Systems
Following the 2018 acquisition of B3CG Interconnect Inc. by the AQ Group, AQ's two North American subsidiaries - located in St. Eustache, QC and Plattsburgh, NY - have now been renamed to better reflect AQ's wiring systems business.

Henceforth, B3CG Interconnect USA Inc. is now named AQ Wiring Systems NY, Inc.

B3CG Interconnect Inc. is now named AQ Wiring Systems Canada Inc. (Canada & Int'l) and AQ Systèmes de Câblage Canada Inc. (Quebec).

As per AQ's memo, this is a name change only, addresses and corporation numbers have remained unchanged, and these name changes seek to solidify the vision to secure and grow AQ's wiring systems business and increase the group's strength as a global partner in this industry.
How the North Country Keeps the World Moving
Cost: FREE; registration required.

Why Attend?

  • Connect with NYS resources who provide business and technical assistance.

  • Gain insights from our keynote speaker, organizers, and event sponsors.

  • Network with peers and meet potential new business partners.

  • Meet industry experts without ever leaving your office or facility.

This event is where the transportation equipment manufacturing industry will connect in a powerful virtual format.

Best of all? This isn't just another Zoom call, attendees will use FuzeHub's digital conference platform, Remo, which is all about interaction.

And while the event may be transportation equipment and aerospace focused, it is open to all manufacturers regardless of sector or location!

Thanks to our generous sponsors, the event will be free for attendees but registration is required.
Important Vaccine Information
Expanded Vaccine Eligibility

Beginning Tuesday, March 30 at 8 a.m., all New Yorkers 30 years of age and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine.

Beginning April 6, universal eligibility goes into effect and all New Yorkers 16 years of age and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine.
Global NY State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
Empire State Development's Global NY team is working in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help small businesses begin exporting and increase the value of their global exports.

Through the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), New York State small businesses may apply for up to $13,000 in grants for the following trade activities:

• Foreign trade missions (virtual or in-person)
• Trade show exhibitions (virtual or in-person)
• Subscription to services provided by the Department of Commerce
• Export training workshops
• Foreign market sales trips
• Foreign language translation of website content
• Development of international marketing campaigns
• Virtual services
• Compliance testing

Eligible companies must operate in New York State to manufacture, assemble or distribute a product, or exportable service that contains at least 51% United States content. The company must be in business for at least a year and meet SBA size standards.

For more information on the STEP Program and how to apply please visit the Global NY website or contact Global NY at globalny@esd.ny.gov or (212) 803-2300.
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
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Did you know that NAmTrans News is sent to more than 1,400 readers in the U.S, Canada, and Europe each and every month?

With open and click rates 14% higher than the industry average, help spread the word about your company and products, become a sponsor today!

To learn more about the benefits and opportunities, contact Joel at (518) 563-1000 or joel@northcountrychamber.com.
NYS Assemblyman D. Billy Jones
The North Country Chamber of Commerce
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