Latest news with #Plant4
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Opening of new Alstom plant in Hornell puts city at center of worldwide rail industry
Hornell was at the epicenter of the global rail car industry on June 2 with the official opening of Alstom's state-of-the-art, 135,000 square foot car shell manufacturing plant on Shawmut Drive State, federal, county and city officials were on hand for a ribbon cutting for Plant 4 and the building's dedication to the late James Griffin, the pioneering long-time leader of the Hornell Industrial Development Agency. It was a day clearly set aside for celebrating. Alstom employees and managers, local and state officials and regional economic development leaders basked in the completion of Plant 4 under bright sunshine. "This is a proud day for Hornell and just the beginning of what we can accomplish when we work together," Hornell Mayor John Buckley said. Alstom Hornell Site Manager Victor Ionescu said he was "privileged" to be involved with the Plant 4 project since its inception, calling it a new milestone in the city's long connection to rail travel. 'Hornell has been a rail town for 170 years and we are very proud of that history. That history has been built with the cooperation and the partnership of everybody here today," Ionescu said. "We thank you for everything you have done to make this moment possible." Alstom spent $75 million and worked with 40 unique contractors to build and outfit the facility, one of the few advanced manufacturing facilities in the United States capable of producing stainless steel car body shells for passenger rail vehicles. Buckley said Plant 4 marks a "landmark investment" in the future of the city. He said the plant's completion helps place Hornell at the "epicenter" of the global rail car industry. "This facility represents not just steel and concrete, but opportunity, growth and a bright path forward for Alstom and the City of Hornell," Buckley said. "With the creation of an estimated 250 new jobs, Plant 4 is game changer for our community." Buckley said the high-quality new jobs "will support families, strengthen the workforce and drive new economic vitality throughout Hornell and the surrounding region." Hope Knight, president, CEO and commissioner of Empire State Development, praised Alstom's growth in New York state and its support for "good paying union jobs" in the Southern Tier. In a statement, Sen. Charles Schumer said, 'Today, Alstom solidifies the Southern Tier and New York state as the beating heart for its North American operations. I've long fought to support Alstom's growth in Steuben County and will continue to fight to ensure Hornell has the resources it needs to be one of the nation's main hubs for rolling stock manufacturing.' In 2021, Schumer secured a $3.4 million federal grant from the Economic Development Administration to the Hornell IDA to make improvements to the Shawmut Park site, paving the way for the expansion. Michael Keroullé, President, Alstom Americas, said it was a 'beautiful day' for the City of Hornell. Keroullé expressed his gratitude to leaders and officials at all levels of government for what he said was their "unwavering support and commitment" to rail manufacturing expansion in the Southern Tier. More: Alstom's $75M Hornell facility now operational. Why it marks new era in rail manufacturing And Keroullé said Plant 4 'reinforces (Alstom's) strong commitment to American manufacturing" and job creation. "Good jobs are the foundation for thriving communities," he added. In January 2021, Alstom was awarded an up-to $1.8 billion contract by Metra, the commuter rail system that serves the Chicago metropolitan area Plant 4 is expected to be a key component in building rail cars for Metra, as well as other company projects. Alstom provided tours of the facility following the formal inauguration of Plant 4. Email Neal Simon at nsimon@ To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Hornell, Alstom celebrate opening of new Shawmut Park car shell plant
Business Journals
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
How Cordia is powering downtown Phoenix's Biomed Core and future growth with carbon-free cooling
As downtown Phoenix continues its rapid growth as a center for health care, education, and innovation, Cordia is expanding its energy infrastructure to meet the rising demand for reliable, sustainable cooling. The company's latest project — Plant 4 — will support the expanding Phoenix Biomedical Core (PBC) and help ensure that Phoenix's future is powered by clean, efficient energy. Since 2001, Cordia has played a critical role in downtown's development. Through its Energy Center Phoenix (ECP), Cordia provides chilled water district cooling services to 47 buildings, including the Phoenix Convention Center, ASU's downtown campus, and Chase Field. But with the downtown area experiencing a surge in development, the ECP system is nearing its maximum capacity. Meeting demand through expansion To address projected growth, Cordia is building a new 10,200-ton chilled water plant — Plant 4 — at the PBC. This plant will directly support major new developments, including the ASTRA Towers (2 million square feet), University of Arizona's CAMI (220,000 square feet) and ASU's new Health Headquarters (200,000 square feet). Plant 4 will be constructed on land owned by the University of Arizona through a 50-year ground lease, strengthening an already collaborative relationship between the institutions. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with operations anticipated by early 2028. In addition to increasing system capacity, Cordia will implement critical piping improvements as part of the project, including closing the chilled water loop at Fillmore Street. This upgrade will improve operational flexibility, reliability, and resiliency across the network — essential for supporting the region's long-term growth. 100% carbon-free power Plant 4 will be fully powered by carbon-free electricity from Arizona Public Service (APS), supporting Cordia's goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. This initiative marks a major step in decarbonizing downtown Phoenix's energy supply. Cordia remains one of APS's top key accounts in Arizona and is the highest localized power user in downtown Phoenix. The collaboration between Cordia and APS ensures this growth is not only feasible but sustainable. A legacy of sustainability and innovation Cordia's Phoenix system has evolved from its roots with Chase Field to a dynamic energy infrastructure solution that reflects innovation and environmental responsibility. It was born from a vision to create a scalable, efficient, and sustainable district cooling system for Arizona's largest central business district. Over two decades, Cordia has enabled expansion of the city. Projects like CityScape, Central Station, and the Phoenix Biomedical Campus have benefited from Cordia's ability to grow its network and adapt to evolving customer needs. A notable example includes the company's integration with the Chase Field plant and a unique underground installation beneath city streets at the Convention Center — showcasing a track record of strategic and creative planning. One of Cordia's hallmark innovations is its use of ice storage tanks, holding 96,000 ton-hours of cooling capacity, to shift energy use to off-peak nighttime hours. These tanks reduce daytime electrical demand, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and deliver reliable cooling even during the hottest months. This strategy also helps avoid costly peak demand charges, allowing Cordia to deliver savings to its customers — averaging 13% in energy costs. Water conservation and system reliability Sustainability extends beyond electricity. Cordia has also invested in water-saving technologies, including the installation of a water softening system at Plants 2 and 3. This system is projected to save approximately 25 million gallons of water annually — a meaningful contribution in a desert city where water conservation is critical. With a total of 27,500 tons of chilled water capacity and a 99.99% reliability record, Cordia's infrastructure has silently supported downtown Phoenix's transformation for more than 20 years. From large-scale public events to daily campus and hospital operations, its role in maintaining the city's momentum is indispensable. Collaborating for a greener future Cordia's partnerships with organizations such as the University of Arizona, RED Development, and the city of Phoenix are central to its success. These collaborations allow the company to deliver tailored energy solutions that serve not just individual buildings, but the broader community. The construction of Plant 4 is more than a capacity upgrade — it's a reflection of Cordia's long-term vision. It supports the city's economic development, aligns with environmental goals, and ensures Phoenix is prepared for a more sustainable future. As downtown continues to thrive, Cordia remains a reliable and forward-thinking energy partner. With Plant 4, the company is reinforcing its mission: to deliver resilient, efficient, and sustainable district cooling to one of Arizona's most dynamic urban centers. Cordia is a leading provider of safe, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Cordia serves over 700 customers with heating, cooling, and electricity throughout the U.S. Cordia is committed to driving change toward a more resilient, sustainable energy future and empowering people and communities to reach their full potential. Learn more at
