Manufacturing will return to the vacant IBM site in Endicott. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Wednesday that lithium ion batteries will be made on the Huron Campus.
Joining in the consortium of three companies locating in Endicott is C4V. When New York held its first ever 76West Clean Energy Competition, C4V’s new battery storage technology earned a $500,000 prize.
Within five years, Dr. Shalilesh Upreti, president of C4V, said they will hire and train 232 employees.
"Because there is no manufacturing as high scale like this today in the US, we have been bringing folks from overseas—especially from Japan and Korea—for the training purpose," Upreti said. "They will be working on the floor for 3-6 month to train local people."
While some companies focus on making products that are environmentally sound, Upreti said his company also focuses on the manufacturing process.
“We’re talking about a green product in a green ecosystem so it’s not contaminating the environment,” Upreti explained.
When IBM owned the site, it was sued by neighbors who claimed toxic contaminants there had made them sick. The Press and Sun Bulletin reports that case was settled out of court.
Governor Cuomo, who made the announcement on the Huron Campus, said C4V and its consortium, Imperium3, is a suitable heir to IBM. Cuomo said that for decades the high tech firm was the economic heart of the region.
"The whole question has been what is the economy of tomorrow. On this campus, Imperium is going to invest $140,000,000," Cuomo said.
Besides the consortium of three companies, Upreti predicts a network of suppliers will open up shop nearby, making Endicott and the surrounding community into a hub for this developing technology.