By Daniel Pye<br><a href="mailto:pyed@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Dan</a>
Electro Sonic Inc., a Canadian electronics and electrical components distributor, is the most recent addition to the newly renamed Riverview Solar Technology Park.
The company’s $20 million expansion includes a 60,000 square foot warehouse and 5,000 square foot office space in the Town of Tonawanda. Operations started at the facility just after the first of the year, and so far 55 local employees have been hired for jobs ranging from warehousing and inventory management to customer service and sales.
“This is a bold initiative during a global economic downturn,” said Eric Taylor, Electro Sonic’s president. “But the time is now for us to act and seize an opportunity to improve service to existing customers, attract new ones in rapidly growing markets and adjust to the tumultuous economy.”
The business is one of many that Matthew Montante, vice president of TM Montante Development, hopes to see flocking to the business park in the near future. Montante said the park’s new focus on green technology makes Electro Sonic a logical partner.
“They have a wing in the renewable energy field as well, which is why they were a great fit for what we are doing,” Montante said.
Less than a month ago, the development firm inked a memorandum of understanding with Shanghai New Energy Industry Association, a Chinese non-profit with more than 300 member companies from the renewable energy sector. The deal allows Riverview to serve as the East Coast focal point in Shanghai New Energy’s expansion into the Unites States.
The park itself has several benefits weighing in its favor to draw development. It lies within an Empire Zone and the state has low-cost power subsidies available for new businesses. The property is shovel-ready with existing utility infrastructure. The area has nearby access to ports, highways and airports for shipping and is located on an international border. Finally, the area has a ready labor force.
But Montante said the benefits are even greater for solar panel production to go even further, since raw materials for building the products exist within 15 miles. The main problem is ensuring that enough demand exists to use the panels produced. Riverview is attempting to market the potential for businesses to incorporate solar power into their buildings, but if local home and business owners don’t get on board, a more wide-spread market likely won’t materialize.
“It’s green energy and economic development. You can’t have one without the other,” Montante said.
Contact reporter Daniel Pye at 693-1000, ext. 158.
