BAE Systems, a major global defense and aerospace company, will expand its Johnson City, N.Y., operations, preserving more than 1,300 existing jobs and creating 125 new jobs. The BAE Systems facility has been in Johnson City since 1949.

The local plant develops and produces aircraft control and avionics equipment for military and commercial aviation. It also provides hybrid electric drive systems used by New York Transit and other urban transit fleets across North America. More than 800 New York City buses use the company’s hybrid drive trains.

BAE Systems agreed to move a significant amount of the work performed in Los Angeles to Johnson City. In recognition of this commitment, the Empire State Development Corporation and BAE Systems have agreed to project milestones, through which the company will be eligible to apply for up to $462,500 in capital grants.

Because it is located in the Triple Cities Empire Zone, BAE Systems is also eligible to apply for Empire Zone tax benefits. As part of the agreement, BAE Systems will invest $2.4 million to renovate existing facilities and train workers, and to reach the target figure of 125 additional jobs by July 2008.

“For almost 60 years we have found Broome County a productive place to do business, and this grant will help to ensure our continued growth and success,” said Sean Bond, president of BAE Systems’ Platform Solutions unit, which is based in Johnson City and operates plants and offices across the U.S. and in the U.K.

BAE Systems is a global defense and aerospace company, delivering a full range of products and services for air, land, and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions, and customer support services. BAE Systems, with 88,000 employees worldwide, had 2006 sales that exceeded $25 billion.

For MORE NEWS BRIEFS, click here.

For a FREE SUBSCRIPTION to Expansion Management magazine, click here.

For MORE NEWS BRIEFS SORTED BY STATE, click here.

For MORE NEWS BRIEFS SORTED BY INDUSTRY or FUNCTION, click here.

For MORE NEWS BRIEFS SORTED BY COUNTRY, click here.