SCHUMER, IN CALL TO CEO, URGES DOOSAN BOBCAT AND BUFFALO-BASED VIRIDI PARENTE TO DEVELOP AND ASSEMBLE ELECTRIC VEHICLE MODELS OF COMPACT CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT IN WESTERN NEW YORK, POTENTIALLY BRINGING HUNDREDS OF NEW UNION JOBS TO FORMER AMERICAN AXLE PLANT ON EAST SIDE

Doosan Bobcat and Viridi Parente are Considering Assembly of Electric Vehicle Models on Buffalo’s East Side; Could Potentially Bring 300-350 New Union Jobs To WNY

Schumer Has Led New York Efforts To Pivot To Electric Vehicles And Greener Transportation; Pledges Support For Bringing the Development to Buffalo and Cementing Upstate New York As Leader In Electric Vehicle Industry

Schumer: Picking Buffalo Will Be A Win-Win-Win by Growing Local Economy, Creating New Jobs and Continued Growth of NY’s Robust Clean Energy Industry

A long-time champion of alternative energy and green economy jobs in his home state, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer this week followed through with his commitment to clean energy by reaching out directly to alternative energy company Viridi Parente, Inc., and its strategic partner, global compact equipment manufacturer Doosan Bobcat, to consider developing electric vehicle (EV) assembly at the former American Axle plant on Buffalo’s East Side. Schumer expressed his strong support for the project to Doosan Bobcat CEO Scott Park, and touted the prospect of establishing Western New York as a leader in EV manufacturing and bringing new, good-paying, green energy jobs to Buffalo.

“Buffalo could become a game-changer for the clean energy industry in New York State. Our world-class Western New York workforce, combined with New York’s considerable experience and commitment to a green economy, means Buffalo’s East Side is an ideal spot to scale EV compact equipment production,” said Senator Schumer. “I made it clear to Viridi Parente and Doosan Bobcat that I strongly support efforts to develop EV compact equipment and assembly in Western New York. I stand ready to help these companies plug into all the federal government has to offer to continue their mission of clean energy and to position New York as a global hub for green transportation manufacturing.”

Viridi Parente and its subsidiary Green Machine Equipment, Inc. have an established strategic partnership with Doosan Bobcat to produce electric and electric/hydraulic products. Viridi Parente currently has operations in 250,000 square feet of the former American Axle plant, which is a New York State-designated Brownfield site. Equipment produced at the site would primarily go towards municipal entities and benefit public corporations like New York Power Authority (NYPA) to help fulfill their sustainability requirements.

On the call, Schumer emphasized the considerable manufacturing experience of the Western New York workforce and Buffalo’s extensive academic and business ecosystem, which is the strongest in the state outside of New York City. He also discussed his proposed Clean Cars for America bill, which was included in President Biden’s recent infrastructure plan, and would set New York up to be a worldwide epicenter for EV manufacturing.

President Biden’s proposed infrastructure plan would create a significant need for clean energy vehicles, which could also boost the industry in Upstate New York.

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