Remington To Add Jobs, Grow In Ny

"We are getting results for the people of this area. I am pleased to join the governor, ESDC, Remington Arms and Herkimer County in announcing new manufacturing jobs for the Mohawk Valley at a great company that has served sportsmen and the law enforcement community for two centuries," State Senator James L. Seward said today in unveiling a $1.5 million senate capital grant that will facilitate new job creation at Remington Arms in Ilion.

The $1.5 million senate grant, part of the new state budget's capital investment program, will be matched by funding from New York's Empire State Development Corp. and together the funding will bring 100 new jobs to Ilion from the H & R Firearms Company in Gardner, MA, acquired in January by Remington along with Marlin Firearms, and fund new equipment and plant upgrades. Remington currently employs more than 800 workers in Ilion.

Seward announced the investment at a press conference with Remington Arms Vice President of Firearms Manufacturing Joe Gross, Herkimer County, town and village officials at a press conference at the Remington Arms museum in Ilion today.

"Remington has a great history. Now it will have a brighter future," Seward said.

The senate funding will assist Remington in updating, renovating and upgrading the Ilion facility and to purchase new machinery and equipment.

The ESD $1.5 million JOBS Now capital grant will assist in the relocation of Harrington & Richardson Firearms’ (H&R) manufacturing facility, which will consolidate with Remington Arms in Ilion.

"Remington Arms is one of the oldest continuously operating manufacturers in the United States, which says much about the quality of its products," ESDC Chairman Dan Gundersen said. "The company was founded in 1816 in Upstate New York and I’m pleased to see that it is still demonstrating its strong commitment to the Mohawk Valley by a pledge of jobs and $14.3 million private investment."

"This is great news for Remington Arms, Herkimer County, and the Mohawk Valley," said Assemblyman Marc Butler. "I congratulate Sen. Seward, Remington Arms, local officials and ESDC for assembling a plan that will keep and grow jobs here in Herkimer County -- good jobs at a good company -- so that young people will have more opportunities and choose to stay right here in the Mohawk Valley."

Remington Arms, founded by Eliphalet Remington, designs, produces and sells sporting goods products for the hunting and shooting sports markets, as well as military, government and law enforcement markets. Remington is the only U.S. manufacturer of both firearms and ammunition products and is one of the largest domestic producers of shotguns and rifles. It distributes its products throughout the United States and in over 55 foreign countries.

The County of Herkimer will also provide funding.

"I believe in partnerships -- cooperative, bipartisan efforts to grow jobs and keep current jobs from leaving by providing businesses with incentives to stay right here in New York. We will continue as a team to fight and work for new jobs and to get results for the hardworking taxpayers of New York," Seward said.

"With the terrific workforce at Remington, this company has proved, and will prove again, that it can compete with any gunmaker, anywhere, at any time, in producing quality, affordable firearms for responsible gun owners, the military, and law enforcement." Seward concluded.