Business

The construction of a hydrogen fuel production facility at WNY Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park will have benefits for Genesee County that go far beyond the 68 jobs expected to go along with the $290 million project, said Steve Hyde, CEO of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, in an interview this afternoon.

Besides positioning STAMP to potentially be a big part of New York's green energy future, Plug Power has agreed to invest more than $55 million in a 450-megawatt electrical substation that other potential STAMP manufacturers can tap into.

"This is a big, huge investment," Hyde said. "This will more than double our investment into infrastructure in STAMP."

While some infrastructure is already in place much of the infrastructure construction for STAMP has been on hold until an advanced manufacturer agreed to locate a plant in the 1,250-acre mega site. Now the business development team at GCEDC will be able to tell site selectors that critical infrastructure, such as the substation, will be in place by a time-specific date.  That may help some site selectors who have been kicking the tires of STAMP -- including, according to news reports, Samsung -- make a final decision about their construction plans.

STAMP has been Hyde's dream project for more than a decade and throughout all these years he has cheerfully repeated, "economic development is a marathon and not a sprint." He used the phrase again today.

And he's not across the finish line yet. There is still a purchase agreement to complete and get approved by the GCEDC board with Power Plug as well as ironing out the final figures on an incentive package to help bring down development costs for the company. Typically these include a PILOT (payments made in lieu of taxes), and tax abatements on construction materials.

New York has already committed to providing $2 million in tax credits for job-creation its Excelsior program. These are incentives the company will not receive unless they meet job creation targets.

Plug Power will tap into clean hydroelectronic power from Niagara Falls to convert water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen will be liquified, stored in tanks, and transported to Henrietta where Power Plug is building a hydrogen fuel cell factory. 

Many of those fuel cells will be used in forklifts and other warehouse equipment used by companies like Walmart and Amazon, giving those companies a cost-effective and 100-percent carbon-free source of energy for a key part of its operations.

Hydrogen fuel cells will also be available for long-haul trucking as well as other applications.

"We're going to be part of a 100-percent green, renewable energy ecosystem," Hyde said.

He said that will help make STAMP attractive to other companies participating in New York's push to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. 

That viewpoint mirrors the opportunity for STAMP to become an innovative hub for green energy with 1366 Technologies, which manufactures state-of-the-art solar wafer chips, announcing its intention to build a plant in STAMP in 2015. That proposal fell apart after years of delays because the Department of Energy would not sign off on a previously promised loan guarantee. Then Rep. Chris Collins apparently did nothing during that time to help push the project along with the DOE.

The DOE will not be as heavily involved in this project and Rep. Chris Jacobs seems to have no reservations about supporting the project. He issued this statement this evening:

“Landing Plug Power is an incredible win for Genesee County and the entire region. Thanks to the great work of the Genesee County Economic Development Center, the STAMP site is attracting high-tech, innovative businesses to bolster our region and provide high-paying jobs to Western New York. This is only the beginning, and I’ll do whatever I can to help bring more opportunities to our area.”

The Plug Power plant is expected to produce 45 tons of hydrogen fuel on a daily basis. 

The New York Power Authority is supporting the project with: 

• 10 MW allocation of low-cost hydropower from the Niagara Power Project;
• $1.5 million from the Western New York Power Proceeds program;
• 143 MW of High-Load Factor power that NYPA will procure for Plug Power on the energy market.

Power Plug is investing another $125 million in a facility in Henrietta to create fuel cells. The project is expected to create another 377 jobs for the region.

In a statement released yesterday, Plug Power CEO Andy Marsh said, "Plug Power's future rightfully revolves around building the green hydrogen economy. We are grateful our home state of New York supports aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives. And, that Plug Power's green hydrogen solutions can make such an impact on positive environmental and economic climates in the state."

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Press release:

Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer discussed his push to direct Senate committees to craft legislation to protect American jobs and outcompete China. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

"Today on our caucus call, I directed the chairs and members of our relevant committees to start drafting a legislative package to outcompete China and create new American jobs.

"The legislation will have as its centerpiece a bicameral, bipartisan bill, the Endless Frontiers Act, which I introduced last year with (Sen.) Todd Young (R-IN), and Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA), and Mike Gallagher (R-WI) in the House. And it will take the key cutting industries and make American investments so we will outcompete China in all of them.

"In addition, we will make serious investments in strengthening the U.S. semiconductor industry to outcompete China and stop depending on foreign sources.

"Right now, semiconductor manufacturing is a dangerous weak spot in our economy and in our national security. That has to change.

"You've all seen that auto plants throughout America are closed because they can't get the chips. We cannot rely on foreign processors for the chips. We cannot let China get ahead of us in chip production. This will be part of the proposal that we will introduce. 

"We will also talk about the build out of 5G and how America can remain number one there. And all of these have bipartisan support. The bill we will intend to introduce, and I talked to Senator Young about it, and he's eager to get it done, will be bipartisan.

"Our intention is to put this legislation on the Senate floor for a vote this spring.

"To get a little more specific, the new legislation must achieve three goals: enhance American competitiveness with China by investing in American innovation, American workers and American manufacturing; invest in strategic partners and alliances: NATO, Southeast Asia and India; and expose, curb, and end once and for all China's predatory practices which have hurt so many American jobs.

"We're looking at emergency funding to implement the bipartisan Semiconductor Program as part of this package. You all know about the chip shortage. I want this bill to address America's short term and long term plan to protect the semiconductor supply chain and to keep us number one in things like AI, 5G, quantum computing, biomedical research, storage. All of these things are part of the bill and the Endless Frontiers Act.

"So we need to get a bill like this to the president's desk quickly to protect America's long term economic and national security."

***************************************************************************

In Genesee County, the Science and Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park -- STAMP -- in Alabama is a semiconductor fabrication (“fab”) plant.

Previously: Schumer pitches top brass at Samsung on shovel-ready STAMP site for new semiconductor plant

Tops Market President John Persons said he and his team logged hundreds of miles in their quest to come up with just the right look for their latest round of store remodeling.

“I think this remodel has turned out the best,” said Persons, speaking during grand opening festivities at the Batavia Tops on West Main Street this morning. “The executive team along with some of our construction department toured the whole East Coast and looked at other stores, other ideas, and we came up with this prototype with a new comfortable feeling, and a new color décor and palette.

“Of course, we wanted to enhance the departments … making sure we had the right physical pieces, the right cases that are easy for customers to use, the right capacity for all our shelves and fresh products.”

Tops invested about $4 million to modernize the Batavia store, Persons said, and is committed to remodeling six or seven stores a year. The Le Roy Tops was remodeled last year.

“This is the third full remodel that we have done at this location,” he said. “The original location was across the street. Then we moved here and remodeled in the early 1990s, in the mid-2000s, and now this one.”

Store Manager Kris Ponzi, in her 31^st year with the company, said new features include a daily fresh-cut fruit station, daily freshly prepared sushi made by an outsourced chef, new cheese shop with local and imported cheeses, expanded olive bar, wider selection of grab-and-go meals, brew market featuring local beers, and new refrigeration throughout the store.

“Everything in the store is brand new, from the flooring to the fixtures to the ceiling to the LED lighting and décor. Our shoppers will find a wide variety of items that they didn’t find before, and we’re really excited,” she added.

When asked about the recent merger with Price Chopper, she said today was all about the grand opening and that “nothing is changing in the way we operate right now.”

Photo at top: Tops Market President John Persons, Batavia Store Manager Kris Ponzi and Chief Executive Officer Frank Curci cut the ribbon this morning at the Batavia store's grand opening.

Photo at bottom: Produce Associate Tammy Bickle, Executive Jack Barrett, Assistant Manager Mike Dowd, Grocery Manager Rob Aube, District Manager Mark Dudziak, Customer Service Manager Melissa Reigle, President John Persons, Store Manager Kris Ponzi, CEO Frank Curci, Operations Manager James Stokes, Night Manager Angela Taylor and Meat Manager Tim Johnson.

Photos by Mike Pettinella.

Press release:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by the recent winter storms that USDA has programs that provide assistance.

USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices are prepared with a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to residents, agricultural producers and impacted communities.

"USDA is committed to getting help to producers and rural Americans impacted by the severe weather in many parts of the country," said Kevin Shea, acting Secretary of Agriculture.

"As severe weather and natural disasters continue to threaten the livelihoods of thousands of our farming families, we want you and your communities to know that USDA stands with you."

Visit farmers.gov or your local USDA Service Center to inquire about assistance.

Risk Management and Disaster Assistance for Agricultural Operations

USDA offers several risk management and disaster assistance options to help producers recover after they are impacted by severe weather, including those impacted by winter storms and extreme cold.

Even before disasters strike, USDA provides tools for producers to manage their risk through the Federal Crop Insurance Program, a public-private partnership between USDA’s Risk Management Agency and private companies and agents.

For crops that do not have crop insurance available, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) is available through the local Farm Service Agency. This risk protection includes crop production loss and tree loss for certain crop insurance products. It is recommended that producers reach out to their crop insurance agent or local FSA office for more information.

Producers that signed up for Federal Crop Insurance or NAP who suffer losses are asked to report crop damage to their crop insurance agent or local FSA office, respectively, within 72 hours of damage discovery and follow up in writing within 15 days.

Livestock and perennial crop producers often have more limited risk management options available, so there are several disaster programs for them. Key programs include:

• The Livestock Indemnity Program and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybee and Farm-raised Fish Program reimburses producers for a portion of the value of livestock, poultry and other animals that were killed or severely injured by a natural disaster or loss of feed.
• The Tree Assistance Program provides cost share assistance to rehabilitate or replant and clean-up damage to orchards and vineyards that kill or damage the tree, vines or shrubs. NAP or Federal Crop Insurance often only covers the crop and not the plant.

USDA reminds producers that it’s critical to keep accurate records to document the losses and illnesses following this devastating cold weather event. Livestock producers are advised to document beginning livestock numbers by taking photos or videos of any losses.

Other common documentation options include:

• Purchase records
• Production records
• Vaccination records
• Bank or other loan documents
• Third-party certification

Additionally, USDA can provide financial resources through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program to help with immediate needs and long-term support to help recover from natural disasters and conserve water resources. Assistance may also be available for emergency animal mortality disposal from natural disasters and other causes.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) also has a variety of loans available including emergency loans that are triggered by disaster declarations and operating loans that can assist producers with credit needs.

Press release:

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County, in collaboration with Genesee Valley Educational Partnership, will be offering a CDL (Commercial Driver License) Training Program for Genesee County agriculture producers and their employees for Class A and Class B licenses.

This training program is designed for producers and farm employees that have some experience with commercial truck operation.

An informational meeting will be held on March 11 at 7 p.m. at the Genesee Valley BOCES Batavia Campus, 8250 State Street Road, Batavia.

This meeting will explain how the program works and answer any questions you may have. The required training materials and medical forms will also be passed out at this time.

Classroom instruction dates (for those who need to get a permit) are March 17 and March 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Genesee Valley BOCES Batavia Campus. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we will be limiting the permit classroom instruction to 20 people.

Drive time will be scheduled with the instructor at a later date. Class A gets eight hours of drive time (four sessions, two hours each). Class B gets four and a half hours of drive time (three sessions, one and a half hours each).

All COVID-19 protocols, including wearing a mask, will need to be followed in the classroom and while driving.

Registration is required and will be accepted until noon of March 11 or until the class is full. All participants are expected to attend the informational meeting on March 11.

Full payment (check or cash) is due at the class on March 17.

The cost for Class A is $775 and the cost for Class B is $600. DMV fees are not included in the cost of the class.

Make checks payable to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County. If paying in cash, please bring the EXACT amount.

For more information or to register, contact Jan Beglinger at (585) 343-3040, ext. 132.

Press release:

Today, Tops is proud to announce a major $3.5 million renovation project is complete at its store located at 390 W. Main St., Batavia.

This marks the 13^th renovation for the supermarket chain since 2020 and the first for this year. This renovation is a part of the company’s $40 million capital improvement plan.

Tops Friendly Markets will virtually cut the ribbon on this impressive 78,000-square-foot store at 11 o'clock next Thursday, Feb. 18. To see some of these exciting renovations, visit us in-store, on our Facebook page (@TopsFriendlyMarkets) or at our website. 

Kris Ponzi, store manager for the Batavia Tops, noted that “with all of our new amenities, our expanded signature floral, fresh fried donuts and custom cakes, to our wider selection of specialty and imported cheeses to our Tops Brew Market with plenty of local beers, guests are sure to enjoy all of our enhanced offerings.”

She invites her neighbors to visit this newly remodeled store during the Grand Re-opening celebration and even have the chance to win some great prizes like Tops gift cards for food and fuel, overnight stays at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel, and free Grocery Express Delivery memberships.

Almost everything inside and outside of the store has been touched giving it a refreshed and modernized appearance. From updated new exterior paint and enhanced façade, new interior décor, energy efficient equipment, digital menu screens, and LED lighting, to a completely remodeled fuel station in the parking lot.

Customers will also enjoy the added convenience of 10 new state-of-the-art self-check outs added during the renovation which will help to expedite their shopping.

You’ll feel the freshness in the expanded produce area featuring a fresh prep cut fruit and vegetable station. Tops partnership with over 200 local growers, includes several of our neighbor’s right here in Western New York, bringing the freshest local produce straight from the farm to your table. Tops prides itself on carefully selecting, inspecting, and ensuring your produce arrives at the peak of perfection.

Tops is also a proud supporter of product grown by New York State farmers who adhere to the New York State Grown and Certified program’s requirements, which includes verification of safe food-handling practices and participation in environmental sustainability programs. 

The newly remodeled bakery now offers a wider selection of detailed custom cakes and confections for weddings and special occasions as well as an expanded assortment of freshly baked breads, pastries, and signature fresh fried donuts.

Throughout the store, shoppers will also see an increase of antibiotic-free meat, plant-based options, daily fresh chef-prepared sushi,and sustainable seafood selections, along with a wider selection of certified organic and gluten-free offerings including natural bulk dry beans, rice and grains. 

To stay hydrated there is an expanded section of the store dedicated to waters, seltzers, and sparkling waters, including many imported varieties, which are on trend.

Love local beer? Tops took to heart the recent challenges facing local breweries and increased its support by enhancing not only the selection of local favorites, but their overall offerings in the Brew Market.

And when ordering online, shoppers can even get all of their favorite traditional and craft beers, hard ciders, and seltzers delivered right to their homes.

The stores remodel includes the Pharmacy that has a new, safe and convenient waiting area which provides a wide variety of services to the community seven days a week.

Tops is committed to making it easy to get every healthy thing you need in one quick stop and offers a number of immunizations, is an authorized administer of the Department of Motor Vehicles' Vision test, provides low prescription prices along with the GoodRxapp, and accepts more than 3,000 insurance plans.

The Batavia Tops Pharmacy, along with 50 other Tops Pharmacy locations throughout our region, are also the safe and convenient location for COVID-19 vaccinations. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations, click here.

Tops shoppers can also save time by utilizing Tops Grocery Pick-up and Delivery services. With fast, online ordering, get your favorite items and the best deals in town that you love delivered from our store to your door in as little as two hours.

Customers can visit TopsMarkets.com/ShopOnline and enter their zip code to get started. 

Also new in Batavia, an innovative and interactive in-store program called “Flashfood” that allows customers to purchase food nearing its sell-by date to save money and to help reduce food waste. Items like fresh produce, meat, deli, bakery, and dairy, may be listed at up to 50-percent off on the Flashfood app and then are available for easy pick up inside the store.

Because of its tremendous success, Tops now offers this "Flashfood" service at 33 store locations.

“At Tops, social responsibility and sustainability have always been at the core of our mission, upholding standards that ensure we reduce environmental waste and energy consumption while providing customers with sustainably sourced, high-quality products, at a great value,” said Jeff Culhane, senior vice president of sales and merchandising for Tops.

“The Flashfood program fits right into our business model and we’re excited to bring this unique, money saving opportunity to our customers.”

Learn more about Tops sustainability efforts here.

Press release:

Tompkins Bank of Castile has launched its online application portal for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) second round of funding for businesses, and is now accepting applications from businesses located within its geographic service areas who do not yet maintain an active business checking or loan account with Tompkins.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer this SBA (Small Business Administration) funding,” said Tompkins Bank of Castile President and CEO John McKenna. “Our team understands how challenging these times have been and we are glad we can help members of our community access these vital funds.”

New business customers must visit a Tompkins branch location to apply for a business checking account prior to the submission of their PPP application through the portal. Minority and women-owned businesses are encouraged to apply.

To learn more about the application process or to submit an application for PPP Funding, please visit the online portal here (same as link above).

A Batavia native with a talent for entertaining has taken the activity to a whole new level.

Kevin Noonan is one of the founders of a novel virtual entertainment experience called Majestic Circus that provide friends, family or colleagues with some friendly and safe competition online.

He has loved to entertain since he was a teenager growing up in Batavia.

The son of retired Genesee County Judge Robert Noonan and Marcia Noonan, Kevin started entertaining at birthday parties for Chris Fix at the YMCA in Batavia and summers at Camp Hough.

He graduated from Batavia High School in 1998, and then attended the University of New Hampshire for two years.

His father encouraged him to “go for it” and join Carnival Cruise Lines, where he soon worked his way up to cruise director. At age 20, he met his wife, 18, on the ship. She was from London and a dancer on the ship. 

When Carnival undertook the largest renovation project ever on a cruise ship and created the Carnival Sunshine, Noonan was their cruise director. He cruised the Mediterranean Sea with them during 2012 and 2013.

In 2019, Noonan and his wife and son moved to Mexico for a year, where he directed entertainment for Iberostar Resorts and was responsible for 17 resorts in five countries.

When he decided to move his family back to the States last March, he wanted to come back to Batavia.

He soon realized the coronavirus pandemic was going to affect the cruise industry, so he started brainstorming on a new endeavor with other entertainers who were out of work.

The result was Majestic Circus, which Noonan founded with three of his friends. The company has since restructured, leaving Noonan and James Dunn as cofounders.

In a press release Feb. 5, Majestic Circus is described as a one-of-a-kind entertainment company, which has reimagined fun, giving players an opportunity to host a virtual game night guided by ringmasters.

Noonan said it took four months to build games and set up the company. They launched in the middle of September on Facebook.

They had recruited a total of 22 entertainers, whose combined followers on Facebook and Instagram are more than 400,000. For their launch, Noonan said they simply posted their logo with no explanation.

“People were very curious,” he said. “On the first day we launched, we had more than 100,000 hits. “We’ve had a lot of success so far.”

One corporate event had 700 people playing. Another had 2,500 playing from 38 different countries. 

The minimum to play is four. The games are extremely suited for up to 16 players at home, Noonan said. They can all be in the same room or in 16 different countries.

“Since our founding, Majestic Circus has been focused on providing players with a unique and fun entertainment experience that is unlike any other,” Noonan is quoted in the press release. “Whether your group is together or thousands of miles apart, our live experiences can be enjoyed virtually with our talented ringmasters to guide you while you play.”

Games are family-friendly and good for all ages. Players can join from anywhere across the globe via video conferencing. No two experiences are ever the same, with multiple games and categories to select from in each round. 

Their initial experience is called “Get it!” and “Know it!” They suggest players think of “Get it!” as a game of fetch, as players embark on a high-energy scavenger hunt, right in their own home or office.

“Know it!” is a knowledge-based experience where players will compete in a series of games across four rounds. As rounds change, so do the rules.”

Majestic Circus will also be introducing a new experience to the mix called “Partner Up!” so fans can engage in a new adventure. This is set to be released later this month.

Majestic Circus is also offering players a special Valentine’s Day deal with discounted booking prices, starting Feb. 12 and running through Feb. 16. More details are available at www.majesticcircus.com, and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Top photo: Batavia native Kevin Noonan hams it up in Centennial Park, near his Batavia home. Noonan is cofounder of a unique virtual entertainment experience called Majestic Circus, which is rapidly growing in popularity across the country.

Inset photo left: A couple plays Majestic Circus online in the comfort of their home.

Submitted photos and logo image.

Submitted photo and press release:

Recently, a deserving Oakfield, recipient experienced a life-changing event --  the presentation of a vehicle to provide them independence and the ability to work and take care of their family.

This was thanks to the Ken Barrett Collision Center and car donor GEICO, along with the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides program.

The presentation was held at Ken Barrett Collision Center in Batavia.

The deserving recipient was selected by Community Action of Orleans & Genesee County. The recipient received a 2015 Chevy Trax.

A hard-working single parent to a 7-year-old, she works 36 hours a week to support her child and herself, while receiving no government support, including child support or housing.

For the recipient, the gift of a vehicle was not an easy task. She didn’t have a driver's license and had to accomplish many tasks, including taking her five-hour course, getting in practice time with friends’ vehicles, and ultimately signing up for and passing a road test.

The recipient has goals of continuing her education and becoming a surgical technician in a hospital or surgical center.

With a vehicle, her life and the life of her son are sure to change for the better. The possibility of continuing education and getting a job outside of Oakfield is a huge step for her.

About National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides

This is a unique program in which businesses representing all facets of the collision repair industry team up to repair and donate vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation.

Since the inception of the program in 2007, members of the National Auto Body Council have donated more than 2,600 vehicles valued at more than $36 million. Additional partners in the NABC Recycled Rides® presentation included 1-800 Charity Cars.

Press release:

The Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) Board of Directors accepted an application for incentives for a $7 million capital investment development project on 14 acres of land on West Saile Drive and Call Parkway in the Town of Batavia at its Feb. 4 board meeting.

LandPro Equipment LLC proposes to acquire and develop a 14-acre parcel on which it would build a 50,000-square-foot facility for a full-service John Deere Agriculture and Turf Dealership. The facility would primarily be used for operations and training, with a portion of the facility used for retail.

The project proposes to create up to five new jobs and retain approximately 60 jobs in Genesee County.

“We are encouraged to see more companies growing in Genesee County with the goal of expanding their operations and increasing training capacity,” said GCEDC President and CEO Steve Hyde. “Genesee County has the workforce talent and developable properties aligned to accelerate a company’s facility construction and successful operations.”

A public hearing will be scheduled, as LandPro Equipment LLC is seeking property, sales and mortgage tax abatements totaling approximately $731,000. It is anticipated that with every $1 of public sector investment will generate a return of $7 of private sector investment.

Press release:

There are many aspects to consider when starting a livestock farm, such as land, what to sell, and how to sell it. Cornell Cooperative Extension’s specialists Nancy Glazier and Joan Sinclair Petzen are offering a beginning farmer educational series via Zoom beginning 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24; second session is Wednesday, March 10.

The two sessions will cover resource assessment, business planning, basic bookkeeping and budgeting. Time will be available each evening for discussion. Follow-up sessions will be held biweekly if there is enough interest.

The goal of workshops is to provide livestock farms the right tools to get started.  

The cost of the workshops is $20 per person or farm couple. Preregistration is required by Feb. 17. Register online, or by calling Brandie Waite at (585) 343-3040, ext. 138. For workshop questions, please call Nancy Glazier at: (585) 315-7746 or email nig3@cornell.edu.

Protests were held at several Walmarts around New York today, including Batavia, over concerns that Walmart has reportedly pressured GE-Savant to lower prices for lightbulbs, forcing the company to move a LED light factory from Ohio to China.

Press release:

On Saturday, Jan. 30, at Walmart stores at four locations in New York state, a coalition of labor and community groups will hold a protest as part of a national consumer awareness campaign informing the public of Walmart’s two-faced stance as a champion of “Made in America” products. 

LED light bulbs that are sold at Walmart are currently made by IUE-CWA workers at the GE-Savant Systems LLC lighting plant in Bucyrus, Ohio. GE-Savant recently announced that they intend to move the LED residential light bulb product line out of the facility to China, permanently laying off 80 workers, and putting the future of the plant in jeopardy.

The GE-Savant facility is one of the only residential lighting plants left in the USA, nearly all other residential light bulbs are now made in China.

Walmart’s website and TV ad campaign says “We are committed to American renewal. We believe we can create more American jobs by supporting more American manufacturing.” The coalition is calling on Walmart to live up to this promise. 

“This should be easy for Walmart,” said IUE-CWA International President Carl Kennebrew. “Walmart’s brand of LED Bulbs that now carry an ‘Assembled in the USA’ label are scheduled to be moved to China.

"Walmart can tell their supplier (GE-Savant) to cancel plans to ship them overseas. If Walmart is serious about supporting American manufacturing, this is how they can show it.”

“This is only the beginning,” said Ron Herrera, president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO. “Americans are waking up to the power of their spending dollar. When we choose to buy American, we are purchasing a product of the highest quality while investing in our communities and in our fellow Americans.

"Walmart must be part of the solution and invest more in our great nation and its people. The bulbs currently manufactured in Bucyrus, Ohio should continue to be made in Bucyrus, Ohio.”