The new company, Bronx Westchester Tempering Corporation, located at 4821 Baldwin Street bear Exit 10C off the Bronx River Parkway, will produce shatterproof glass, like those found in car windshields.
Scheduled to open in the near future, the Wakefield facility is more than just a company looking to make a quick buck. The company has agreed to train workers in skilled trades, creating 60 new jobs paying upwards of $25 an hour.
As a result of helping out the local economy, Bloomberg signed a special bill into law on August 12, allowing the tempered glass manufacturer to benefit from Empire Zone tax credits even though they are not physically located within the confines of the Hunts Point Empire Zone, which also includes the Zerega Industrial Business Zone.
The waiver is allowed under a new provision in the laws governing the state’s Empire Zones, allowing “regionally significant projects” to be sponsored by the Zones outside of their physical territory if they will have a significant enough effect on state commerce.
“Bronx-Westchester Tempering Corporation will operate a glass manufacturing and processing business and distribute its product within the tri-state area,” Bloomberg said. “With the Regionally Significant Project designation, Bronx-Westchester Tempering Corporation will continue to support our City's manufacturing job base.”
The project is enthusiastically supported by all stakeholders, including the Hunts Point Economic Development Corporation, the Mayor’s Office of Industrial and Manufacturing Business, Councilman Oliver Koppell, in whose district the new venture is located, as well as councilwomen Maria del Carmen Arroyo and Annabel Palma, who sit on the board of the HPEDC.
“Employment at Bronx-Westchester will allow individuals, with a minimal level of education to attain technical skills that are in high need in today’s economy and will guarantee future employability,” Koppell stated.
The employees at the project will be taught technical skills that are transferable to many fields. Within the next five years, the company will be hiring 60 new net workers, including machine operators, foremen, polishers/cutters, AutoCad drawers, along with maintenance and office personnel.
The company also has the environment in mind, planning on maintaining a clean neighborhood and plant. In fact, Bronx Westchester Tempering will not use any toxins or chemicals in their manufacture of shatter proof glass, will not produce any emissions, and will be solely powered by electricity.
“There are many new benefits to the community that will result from this project,” Koppell stated, “including 60 new jobs, $4.6 million in private investment, all without taking our environment for granted.”
