Updates from the North American Center of Excellence for Transportation Equipment
NAmTrans Update:
A Vision for 2020 and Beyond
There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic and our current environment has posed some unique and very challenging circumstances for not only our North Country Transportation Equipment & Aerospace Cluster but transportation equipment and aerospace manufacturing worldwide.

During these uncertain times, the North American Center of Excellence for Transportation Equipment (NAmTrans), a subsidiary of the North Country Chamber of Commerce , has been working diligently to help assist our cluster companies navigate this ever changing landscape.
We understand that by maintaining constant communication with our companies, planning appropriately for the future, and working hand-in-hand with our partners - our cluster will emerge from this stronger than ever before.
That is why NAmTrans is currently in the process of a developing a comprehensive, multi-faceted Strategic Plan and Implementation Strategy that will provide a road-map for all NAmTrans activities for the foreseeable future. The plan and implementation strategy will act as a living guide for NAmTrans efforts with and on behalf of the cluster, subject to frequent review and updates.
We are currently in the process of incorporating feedback on the plan from our Advisory Board, and anticipate releasing the final plan to the general public soon - so keep an eye out for it in our next NAmTrans News newsletter and on our website .
In the meantime, if you are a NAmTrans company who has not had the opportunity to participate in our COVID-19 Needs Assessment Survey , please click the link below to complete it. The results of this survey will remain 100% anonymous, but will help us better assist you. Your participation is appreciated!
And as always, do not hesitate to contact our team if you have any questions or we can be of any assistance.
Chamber Joins in
Bi-National Statement & Launch of North American Rebound Initiative
The North Country Chamber of Commerce has joined with 26 other partners in the U.S. and Canada in the release of a joint statement regarding the importance of the U.S. - Canadian economic relationship in safely addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and securing shared economic growth.

The group also launched "NORTH AMERICAN REBOUND", featuring a website through which other organizations, governments, and businesses can join in the message and effort online.
The 27 organizations and governments embrace the principle that "maintaining an open and efficient supply chain through and beyond COVID-19 will save lives and help us in the fight against this pandemic", per the joint statement.
"The U.S. and Canada have a unique economic relationship that has moved beyond trade and is unlike any other. Together, we compete with greater effectiveness against the rest of the world," states Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. "In the past, this special relationship has found itself automatically swept into responses to unfair trade or economic challenges involving other places. As we recover from this pandemic and reclaim economic leadership, it is crucial this not happen and that we instead move together."
Among active partners of the North Country Chamber in launching the statement and website are the Quebec Government, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec (FCCQ), the Can/Am Border Trade Alliance, and the Canadian American Business Council, which coordinated the initiative. The North Country Chamber encourages other organizations, governments, and businesses with a shared interest in the U.S. - Canada economic partnership to sign onto the statement via the website using the button below.
Cluster News
Nova Bus Begins
Re-Opening of Plattsburgh Facility
We recently received great news from Nova Bus , a valued NAmTrans Cluster company and key member of our North Country Transportation Equipment & Aerospace cluster, that they have begun welcoming employees back to their Plattsburgh facility effective June 3rd.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nova Bus has gone above and beyond, implementing the necessary measures both in their facilities and onboard their public transportation vehicles to ensure the health and safety of their employees, suppliers, customers, and riders.
Photo provided by Nova Bus
This is welcome news as Nova Bus continues to ramp up for one of its largest contracts in company history.

This contract, awarded by the NYS Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), calls for 165 forty-foot hybrid buses (powered by BAE propulsion systems ) with options for 126 additional hybrid buses and 209 diesel buses.
Please join us in congratulating Nova Bus on their reopening and recognizing all of the hard work put in by each and every Nova Bus employee/team member.
We understand and recognize that all NAmTrans companies have gone above and beyond during this difficult time. If you would like your company's response to COVID-19 featured in a future edition of NAmTrans news, send us an email at joel@northcountrychamber.com .
LC Drives Featured in International Publication
LC Drives , a valued NAmTrans cluster company, was recently featured in the Electric & Hybrid Marine Technology International June 2020 publication.
A press-release from LC Drives states in part, "With increasing environmental regulations initiated by many of the world's leading industrial nations, the marine industry is engaged in an ongoing effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions via the adoption of more efficient and reliable propulsion and auxiliary power solutions."

The release goes on to say, "Historically, one of the key constraints on the large-scale deployment of electric propulsion in marine applications is the lack of physical space to accommodate the necessary equipment. LC Drives addresses this issue with its unique approach to machine design and manufacturing, resulting in unparalleled powered densities."
Electric & Hybrid Marine Technology International is the world's first publication that is solely dedicated to electric and hybrid marine technologies, from small boats to cargo shipping and naval fleets.
Virtual Safety Training Is Available
For many years now, the North Country Chamber of Commerce has received funding from the New York State Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Hazard Abatement Board OSH T+E grant fund to provide safety training for your company and employees.

During these uncertain and challenging times, the Chamber has received special permission to use the funds to offer virtual safety training.

A wide variety of OSHA training subjects can be covered including, but not limited to, Hand Safety, Safe Lifting, Repetitive Motion Injury Protection, Fall Protection, OSHA Record-keeping, and much more!
If you are interested in scheduling OSHA training for your facility, please contact Becky Drollette at the chamber at (518) 563-1000 or via email at beckym@northcountrychamber.com .
Upcoming Webinars
Date: Thursday, June 18th
Time: 2:00pm

Join the North Country Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal for a free webinar to help better understand, navigate, and leverage the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement (USMCA).
Date: Friday, June 19th
Time: 11:00am

Join the Buffalo Niagara Manufacturing Alliance on Friday, June 19th for a free webinar on New York State's Shared Work Program. The Shared Work Program is designed to help employers manage business cycles and seasonal adjustments while helping to spare workers the hardships of full unemployment. The program allows employers to keep trained employees and avoid layoffs by allowing employees to receive partial Unemployment Insurance benefits while working reduced hours.
The Development Corporation (TDC)
The Development Corporation (TDC) is a private, not-for-profit organization rooted in the creation and retention of quality jobs and investments in the Greater Plattsburgh Region.

TDC was instrumental in the formation of NAmTrans and our two organizations work hand-in-hand to ensure that our many tenants/cluster companies receive the support and resources necessary for them to grow and succeed in the North Country.
The Development Corporation has a long history of supporting the growth of business in the region by providing industrial space for business expansion and job creation.

To that end, TDC owns and operates two major industrial parks - both located in the Town of Plattsburgh - Air Industrial Park , Clinton County's oldest and most established industrial park, and the Banker Road Industrial Park.
TDC also recently announced exciting news that it is building a new 60,000 SF industrial space. This building will be located in Air Industrial Park in close proximity to transportation cluster businesses. This building won't stay vacant for long, be sure to contact Danielle King, Business Development Manager, to learn more about rates and building features.
Rendering of planned 60,000 SF industrial space
Social Media & Past Newsletters
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