Updates from the North American Center of Excellence for Transportation Equipment
Bombardier Shows Major Support for North Country Chamber & NAmTrans
Recently, in appreciation for years of collaboration and being aware of the North Country Chamber’s financial challenges this year (due to the COVID-19 shutdown), Bombardier awarded the North Country Chamber of Commerce a $10,000 Diamond Sponsorship!

The Chamber has had a long and very active working relationship with Bombardier Transportation, since they began operations in Plattsburgh over 25 years ago. In addition to all of the industrial support programs offered through the Chamber - such as workforce and safety training, and many new endeavors through NAmTrans - the Chamber has also long been active in Washington and Albany on funding and other critical matters.

This generous funding will assist the Chamber and its subsidiary, NAmTrans, endeavor to maintain full operations and continue to assist the regional business community.

On behalf of our entire North Country Transportation Equipment & Aerospace Cluster, we'd like to thank Bombardier!
Welcoming Bombardier's Top Leadership to Plattsburgh
We were pleased recently to join in welcoming Bombardier Transportation's top leaders to the Plattsburgh plant.

The visit was important to the plant's strong future, and included a meeting with North Country Chamber President Garry Douglas.
Pictured left to right: Marie Couillard, VP Operations, Bombardier Transportation Americas; David Black, G.M, Bombardier Plattsburgh; Chamber President Garry Douglas; Danny Di Perna, President, Bombardier Transportation; and Elliot (Lee) Sander, President, Bombardier Transportation, Americas.
Chamber Launches New Recruitment Website
The North Country Chamber of Commerce recently relaunched its employee recruitment and relocation website following an extensive redesign and updating. Called "North Country Good Life", the website is available at www.northcountrygoodlife.com.
The website plays strongly off of the Plattsburgh area's proximity to Montreal, the Adirondacks, and Vermont while also highlighting all of our region's own assets and attractions.
"We believe our reengineered relocation site is especially comprehensive in terms of information on things important to people considering a life changing relocation decision, from quality of life to the economy to such considerations as schools, services for family members with special needs, elder care for trailing parents, faith and diversity, among other subjects," states Garry Douglas, North Country Chamber President.

"The newly redesigned North Country Good Life website, courtesy of the North Country Chamber, will be a great resource for our Transportation Equipment & Aerospace Cluster when recruiting talent from outside of the area." said Joel Wood, NAmTrans Director.

In addition to being available online for both recruiters and prospective employees, the Chamber and NAmTrans are encouraging area employers to create direct links on their own websites to point prospective applicants/candidates to the site so they can learn more about our region.
Cluster News
Rep. Stefanik Visits Norsk Titanium's New Facility - Updates on Defense Projects
On October 27th, Representative Elise Stefanik visited Norsk Titanium's new facility in Plattsburgh, and discussed Norsk's ongoing Department of Defense work. Norsk has many exicting new defense-related projects they are working on to help strenghten national security with additive manufacturing technology.
Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce joined Representative Stefanik for her visit.

"Not only is Norsk at an exciting point in its development, but it's at an exciting point in the generation of future defense related opportunities as well," said Garry Douglas. "Three years ago, Congresswoman Stefanik and Senator Schumer secured a provision in the defense bill, starting a new level of consideration by DOD of how additive manufacturing technology such as Norsk's could enhance defense procurement. She then hosted a high level DOD visit followed by sustained discussions and here we are with the first stages of defense related procurement in action. There's no question defense related production holds real opportunities for Norsk in addition to all of its continued success in securing civilian work, and we thank Congresswoman Stefanik for diligently opening this path. Onward and upward!"

To read more, click here.
Welcoming KHROME to Plattsburgh and the Cluster
We are excited to join our partners at The Development Corporation (TDC) in welcoming KHROME to Plattsburgh.
KHROME's new facility in Plattsburgh, located in TDC's Air Industrial Park, will serve as an integrator, providing supplies primarily for the rail industry.
It is but the latest addition to our growing Transportation Equipment Cluster and expanding community of U.S. operations for Quebec companies.

As per a TDC press-release, KHROME USA’s Director and U.S. Project Manager, André Dumont, commented, “We knew that in Plattsburgh we would find good people to help KHROME continue its growth”. He also [pointed to] the impressive number of businesses in the transportation industry co-located in the area as well as the positive impact that the North Country Chamber of Commerce and subsidiary NAmTrans has had on their transition into the area.
“KHROME is another outstanding addition to our growing transportation equipment manufacturing cluster,” states Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. “We have had the pleasure of working with KHROME toward this location in Plattsburgh in collaboration with TDC, including our red carpet service for Canadian companies, involving Matt Boire, and plugging them into all of the special services of NAmTrans. We thank them for their confidence as they establish their U.S. operations here and look forward to working with them for many years to come. Onward and upward!”

Read more from our partners at TDC, here.

Learn more about KHROME here.

For more information, email info@khromept.com.
In Case You Missed It - Cluster News & Beyond
We've compiled all of the relevant news and notes from the North Country Transportation Equipment & Aerospace Cluster, so you don't have to search for it!
Press-Republican: "Nova Bus and Prevost adjust to COVID reality, work NYC contracts"

Excerpt: After dealing with the challenges of adjusting to the new COVID-19 landscape, bus manufacturer Nova Bus/Prevost has been able to get back on track for its 2020 production. The company has added about 50 jobs in the last three or four months, Greg Cody, Nova Bus Plattsburgh GM said, employing more than 350 people overall. Read More
Border Crossing Restrictions Extended Until At Least December 21st

Canada and the United States will extend COVID-19 restrictions on non-essential cross-border travel for at least another month, to Dec. 21. Commercial activity continues uninterrupted in both directions. Read More
Press-Republican: "Supporting the Big Guys: SpencerARL Sub-Assembles Exclusively for Nova and Prevost"

Excerpt: Since opening in 2009, Vermette said the Plattsburgh plant has grown tremendously. What was once a 40,000- to 50,000-square-foot operation, [is] now a 160,000-square-foot setup, split between two facilities. Read More
Vapor Stone Rail Systems Plattsburgh Facility Hits 1,000 days without Lost Time Accidents

Like many North Country businesses, Vapor Stone has long taken advantage of the Chamber's many Safety Training Programs. We'd like to recognize their commitment to employee health and safety, and congratulate them on this impressive milestone. Read More
Nova Bus to Invest $10 Million to Expand Saint-François-du-Lac Facility

Nova Bus has been manufacturing the bus chassis and installing the floors in this plant since 1996. For the assembly and finishing, the structures are then transported to the Nova Bus facilities in Saint-Eustache or Plattsburgh, NY. Read More
Upcoming Events!
Cybersecurity: Enemies And Attacks

When: Tuesday, November 24th from 11:00AM - 12:00PM
Where: Virtual

This webinar will go over the common external threats related to Cybersecurity and some of the methods these external players use in conducting cybersecurity attacks. Some of the external players to be discussed are opposing governments, competitors, hackers/hacking organizations and why they pursue the practice. Additionally, costs associated with defending an organization and individuals from cyber attacks will be discussed, plus a look at the risks associated with NOT defending yourself.
International Aerospace Innovation Forum 2020

When: December 14th-15th, 2020
Where: Fully Virtual Experience

Every year, the International Aerospace Innovation Forum is an opportunity to strengthen relationships globally and to celebrate a nation's expertise in aerospace innovation.

This year, our partners at Aéro Montréal have set out to reinvent the format of the International Aerospace Innovation Forum. This redesigned format will feature a large number of conferences and round tables as well as virtual business meetings, adapted to the different needs of participants from around the world.
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Diamond Level Sponsor:
Gold Level Sponsor:
Interested in becoming a sponsor of NAmTrans News and seeing your company logo above?
To learn more about the benefits and opportunities, contact Joel at (518) 563-1000 or joel@northcountrychamber.com.
NYS Assemblyman D. Billy Jones
NYS Senator Betty Little
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