GreenPower Motor Company Inc., a leading manufacturer and distributor of zero-emission, electric-powered medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, announced a partnership with BridgeValley Community & Technical College and the Workforce Development Board of Kanawha County. The program will provide workforce development and training opportunities for potential employees at its South Charleston all-electric school bus manufacturing facility.
“GreenPower is excited to partner with BridgeValley to provide hands-on training to workers that join our manufacturing team here in the Kanawha Valley,” said Brendan Riley, President of GreenPower. “The college offers leading-edge technology, innovative ideas and dynamic education opportunities for students and the community, and their programs will benefit our workforce and production processes immensely.”
“We are delighted to support GreenPower with workforce training programs in preparation for the opening of their new manufacturing facility in West Virginia,” said Dr. Casey Sacks, President of BridgeValley. “BridgeValley has a strong history of partnering with local companies to train and prepare our citizens for great new jobs right here in West Virginia. We look forward to a highly successful partnership on this exciting and important initiative for our communities and the state of West Virginia.”
On January 12th Gov. Jim Justice announced that GreenPower had entered into a lease/purchase agreement with the state of West Virginia to acquire properties located in South Charleston with 9.5 acres and an 80,000 square foot building where it plans to be manufacturing zero-emission, all-electric school buses by the middle of 2022. The state will provide up to $3.5 million in employment incentive payments to GreenPower for creating up to 900 jobs in the state as vehicle production increases over time.
“As West Virginia’s economy continues to transform, it is important to provide companies with skilled and high-skilled workers to help make the transition as seamless as possible,” Riley continued. “Our new all-electric school bus manufacturing operation will create excellent employment and career development opportunities for nearby residents and families, with highly competitive wages and a chance to learn and grow in the exciting new era of state-of-the-art electric vehicle production.”
“GreenPower’s location in the Kanawha Valley is transformative for our community,” added Julie Norman, Executive Director of the Workforce Development Board of Kanawha County. “This company’s innovative technology brings West Virginia to the forefront of alternative energy vehicle manufacturing which will provide hundreds of jobs for West Virginians.”