General Motors announces $68 million investment in Rochester manufacturing plant

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — General Motors announced on Friday that it’s investing $68 million to build electric vehicle components and combustion engines at Rochester’s manufacturing plant on Lexington Avenue.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Rep. Joe Morelle, and other leaders spoke about the significance of the investment during a conference in Rochester. Morelle said the investment in the GM plant will help to expand the nation’s auto industry, create jobs, and fight climate change.

Out of the funds, Rochester’s plant will use $56 million to build cooling lines for electric vehicles and $12 million for GM’s next-generation Gen6 V8 combustion engine.

While describing the impact of GM’s investment in Rochester, Hochul quoted former Bills head coach Marv Levy “Where else would you rather be than right here, right now.”

Hochul said that GM’s investment will promote innovation and preserve the jobs of the 750 people who work at the plant. Just over a decade ago, the plant was at risk of closing.

“I’m so optimistic at this very time in our history,” Hochul said. “Generations from now, we’ll look back at those hard luck and sad stories of people leaving the area. The jobs going. The people going. Our capital is going. At that time our young people were our greatest export Those days are over.”

Schumer said he helped to rescue the plant during the U.S. auto industry crash during the 2008 recession. He helped to push GM to acquire the plant from its previous owner, Delphi, which filed for bankruptcy.

Schumer said the plant is now leading the auto industry in the future. GM has invested $174 million in Rochester since 2011.

Dan Maloney, president of the UAW Local 1097 Union, said workers have fought hard to preserve the plant and are ready for its next chapter.

“Together, we are building a very bright future here,” Maloney said.

You can see the full conference here: