Gillibrand, Schumer, Arcuri Fight To Keep Empire Aero In Mohawk Valley

Press Release

In a continued effort to keep jobs in New York, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles E. Schumer and Congressman Michael Arcuri today wrote to Major General Polly A. Peyer -- Commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins, Georgia -- highlighting Empire Aero Corp. as an excellent candidate to meet the needs of the Air Force's fleet of transport aircraft. This effort would keep over 200 jobs in the Mohawk Valley. Just last month, the officials urged Israel Aerospace Industries Chairman, Yair Shamir, to keep the Empire Aero Center open and its 200 workers employed, offering him assistance in any way they can to keep the facility open.

"Jobs are my number one priority," Senator Gillibrand said. "If we're going to rebuild our economy and put New Yorkers back to work, we have to start by keeping the businesses we have right here where they belong. A partnership between Empire Aero Corp. and Warner Robins Air Logistics Center would keep Empire Aero Corp. here in New York."

"A partnership between Warner Robins and Empire Aero could play an important role in saving hundreds of jobs by keeping the Rome facility open and operating," said Senator Schumer. "This partnership is worth pursing as we continue to search for each and every option for keeping Empire Aero's hard working men and women on the job."

"Helping Empire Aero expand into work on military aircraft through a partnership with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center makes great business sense and will ensure their financial success in the future," said Rep. Arcuri. "Senators Schumer, Gillibrand and I will continue to look for ways to maximize the potential of the former Griffiss Air Force Base and Empire Aero to keep good paying jobs right here at home."

Empire Aero Corp., based on the former Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York currently performs civilian aircraft maintenance for a wide range of models and has the capacity to expand its role to perform key maintenance and upgrades on C-130 series transport planes.

Empire Aero could provide a natural location to provide maintenance and support for the large number of C-130 series planes stationed in New York. There are currently 26 C-130 series planes stationed in New York; utilizing a New York facility to maintain and repair these planes would offer an efficient use of Air Force resources and provide access for operators in New York and the broader region.

A partnership between Warner Robins Air Logistics Center and Empire Aero Corp. would ensure that Empire Aero's operation remains viable, preserving hundreds of jobs in Oneida County, New York.

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