Recovery Act support brings jobs to Greenville, SC; Electric bus rolls off assembly line into transit service

Thanks in part to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants, 112 Greenville, SC, workers are grateful this season for the best of gifts in these economic times: jobs in a growth industry.

Over the last few years, DOT has invested in cutting-edge research to help put a new generation of clean, fuel-efficient, zero-emission buses on our streets. And I’m very excited to see those investments are paying off--and generating many new green jobs in the process.

Earlier this month, the world’s first battery-powered electric bus--fully chargable in only 10 minutes!--rolled off the new assembly line at Proterra, Inc.’s expanded manufacturing facility in Greenville.

The Proterra crew celebrates the first EcoRide BE-35

As a result of Proterra's success, many Greenville area residents are now fully employed at the plant. And with more than 80 buses still in the works, and inquiries pouring in from many domestic and international transit agencies, Proterra is ready to ramp up production. A second assembly line will begin operation in 2011 at a larger facility currently under construction at Clemson University's International Center for Automotive Research.

This “made in America” success story is rippling literally across the country. Foothill Transit, serving the San Gabriel Valley in Los Angeles County, is using a $6.6 million Recovery Act grant to put Proterra’s new Ecoliner into service, the first transit agency in the country to do so.

Foothill Transit passengers now enjoy a clean, quiet, comfortable ride. Even area residents who don’t ride transit benefit from the zero-emissions buses. And there’s more work for folks living in this economically distressed community, as charging stations are built, installed, and maintained to keep these buses running.

The ripple effect doesn’t stop there. With a $118 million Recovery Act grant, Aerovironment, Inc., which makes key components for Proterra’s fast-charging stations, has been able to expand its American manufacturing capabilities in this rapidly growing green industry. And Energetx in Holland, Michigan, has also gained jobs as a key supplier.

Proterra CEO Jeff Granato addresses Greenville, SC, workers

Now, while this green economic activity is a terrific development, it may not have happened as quickly had it not been for our Federal Transit Administration’s National Fuel Cell Bus Program. Back in August, 2009, FTA awarded a three-year, $450,000 grant to the Center for Transportation and the Environment in Atlanta to test Proterra’s fuel cell technology.

New jobs, cleaner air, and greater mobility--the lesson is crystal clear. When our government invests in American innovation and taps into our collective ingenuity, we reap the rewards in the form of economic growth and home-grown solutions to our most pressing energy and transportation challenges.

Comments

[Wade White]

Zero emission busses are not only a great job creator but will make busses a serious alternative to more capital intensive modes such as fixed guideway even considering how expensive these busses are. What a great investment in America both in the short an long-term!

[jamith]

zero-emission buses on our streets really great to hear, amazing techonology to save earth and more new green jobs process.

[Matt Huston]

I think all the attention to the "green economy" is all well and good, but why has it taken this long for our country and our gov't to finally get on board and see that green technology is the wave of the future and that fossil fuels are what's been stopping our progress?

[Michael E. Bailey]

This is great news especially with Foothill Transit being the first user of 0 emission electric powered buses in the country. It is time for OCTA to follow Foothill Transt. Its time for LAMetro to do so as well. This is a major change in an area in one of the most polluted air basins in the country. Now that the technology has been proven to work, its time to put into service many more all-electric powered buses, hydrogen powered buses, and electric-hydrogen hybird buses into operation. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Janice]

Why invest in a more expensive rapid charge battery/controller that will have to be replaced several times over its lifetime when you can just make the whole battery unit modular. (Yes it might be several hundred pounds, make a fork lift type device that can hot swap it out when it gets back to the bus depot.)

[Stephanie Keasler]

I would like to know where to fill out an application for your Greenville, SC facility to open soon?

[Chris Fortune]

I too would like to fill out an application but not sure where to go. I have 13+ years in automotive stamping experience and would love to bring my knowledge and skills to a company that's is going to do so much more in the upstate than make electric buses. Thank you.

[Julio C Nino]

I'm a man with over 35 years experience in toolroom machining skills.
I'd like to know what place or link to send in a job application for your Greenville plant.I would like to
be part of your team and give you the best of my experience as all arround toolroom person.Thankyou

[John]

Stephen I am an associate with Proterra here in Greenville. Proterra is using a staffing company in Greenville called MAU Workforce Solutions located on Pelham Rd. They are accepting applications at this time.

[John]

Attention Stephen and Chris: Here is the MAU's website address just give them a call.
http://www.mau.com/

[Julio C Meneses]

I would like to appl , I have been laid off from my job, which had been there for more than five years, and I'm in need of a permanent job soon, and don't want to loose my home. I need to know were I can apply. Please reply back, thank you.

[Charles Wolfe]

I missed the first job fair/application session and have been trying to find out when the next one will be. I would love to work for a company that promotes both mass transit and saving energy and natural resources. Does any one know when the next job fair will be?

[Chaucey Hunt]

I would like to know where to go to fill out an application for your Greenville, SC facility. Is it possible to submit an on-line application? I look forward to an opportunity to become a part of the Proterra team!

[Willie Alvin Cannady]

I too would like to fill out an application but not sure where to go. I have 20+ years in industrial manufacturing mechanicial, electricial, and maintenance experience and would love too bring my expertise to help a great company produce a wonderful product that will help the enviroment and world that we live.