Higgins, Hochul applaud $154 million investment in GM Lockport Plant

Congressman Brian Higgins on Friday said General Motors (GM) will be investing $154 million in its Lockport plant.

Higgins said, “GM’s new, and significant, commitment to the Lockport plant will invigorate a facility that has supported thousands of working families in Western New York for over a century and ensure that it continues to do so for decades to come. This announcement affirms that, when we fight for our supply chains to be made in America, we mean it. The fact that this new work will represent the first investment in electric motor manufacturing in our region is exciting and shows that Western New York can play a critical role in the next generation of transportation, confronts the climate challenges of our time, and create good jobs for our United Auto Worker neighbors.”

GM reported the investment will allow for improvements to the Western New York facility and new equipment to facilitate production of components for electric motors. It expects to add 230 new jobs at the site, which currently has more than 1,500 employees.

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s team said the investment will be used to renovate the facility and purchase and install new machinery and equipment used in the production of the stator module, a key component in an electric motor. Electric motors will be used in a variety of GM's future Ultium Platform-based electric trucks and SUVs. Facility renovations will begin immediately.

"With this major investment at its Lockport facility, General Motors is taking the next steps to advance an all-electric future," Hochul said. "Not only will this investment provide a boost to Western New York's economy, but it will play a critical role in supporting our efforts to electrify the transportation sector and reduce climate-altering greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution."

GM Executive Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Sustainability Gerald Johnson said, "GM's investment in Lockport reaffirms our commitment to manufacturing in Western New York and our confidence in this team, because they will build a crucial module in our electric motor assembly for our future EV trucks and SUVs. We appreciate the support from the state of New York, and it was an important factor in making this investment possible."

As Lockport Components, which is a unionized facility located on Upper Mountain Road, prepares for electric motor component production, the facility will continue to build a variety of components that support GM's current truck and SUV production. Lockport Components currently produces radiators, condensers, heater cores, evaporators, HVAC modules, oil coolers and other components used in a variety of GM trucks. GM currently estimates Lockport Components will add approximately 230 positions between 2023-26. Actual staffing plans will be finalized closer to the start of production as the facility transitions to support EV motor component production.

Empire State Development will provide up to $5.65 million in Excelsior Jobs Program "green" investment tax credits in return for investment commitments to move the project forward.

ESD Acting Commissioner and President and CEO-designate Hope Knight said, "The auto industry is a critical economic driver in Western New York. General Motors' renovations at its Niagara County facility will help the region continue to lead the way with the next generation of electric vehicles and support New York's transition to the green economy."

New York state has also been supporting the location through the allocation of 18 megawatts of low-cost hydropower from the New York Power Authority's Niagara Power Project in Lewiston.

NYPA Interim President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, "The decision from General Motors to expand in Lockport is great news for Western New York. General Motors has been a longtime hydropower customer of the Power Authority, so it's exciting to see the firm continue to grow and create jobs in the region."

Lockport Components was founded in 1910 as the Harrison Radiator Company for the purpose of designing, manufacturing and selling automotive radiators and components. With more than 1,500 employees, the site is focused on continuous improvement through a joint team process between UAW Local 686, Local 55 and plant management.

New York State Sen. Robert Ortt said, "I am pleased that General Motors is reaffirming their investment in the people and City of Lockport with today's announcement. Western New York can and should continue to be a leader in providing good manufacturing jobs, innovation for our future economy, and an exciting place to raise a family."

Assemblyman Michael Norris said, "General Motors and Harrison Radiator has truly been a critical foundation of our Lockport community and Western New York region through several generations of hardworking and dedicated employees and remarkable innovation within the industry. General Motors, by way of this significant investment in the Lockport Plant, has now renewed its commitment to our region and workforce, making the Lockport Plant a key part of the next generation of innovation in the automobile sector. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to General Motors and its workforce for its steadfast and long-term leadership and history in Lockport and Western New York, and I look forward to continuing to support its team and economic initiatives that will retain and grow good-paying jobs in our region as this next exciting chapter begins."

General Motors is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which powers everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojunand Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at https://www.gm.com.

Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit www.regionalcouncils.ny.gov and www.esd.ny.gov.