Micro Bird USA Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Bus Manufacturing Facility in Plattsburgh, NY, Marking a New Era of Growth
Micro Bird USA LLC, a recognized leader in the design and production of school and commercial buses, officially celebrated the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Plattsburgh, New York. This event marks a pivotal milestone in the company’s history, underscoring its commitment to growth, innovation, and strengthening its role as a major player in the North American bus manufacturing industry.
The newly opened facility is more than just an expansion. It represents the culmination of months of planning, strategic investment, and collaboration among public officials, local partners, and industry stakeholders. With a $38 million investment, Micro Bird has transformed the site—acquired in December 2024—into a cutting-edge production hub that will drive job creation, innovation, and economic development in New York’s North Country region.
A Major Step in Micro Bird’s Growth Strategy
The Plattsburgh plant is central to Micro Bird’s long-term strategy of expanding production capacity while maintaining the company’s reputation for building buses that prioritize safety, durability, and customer satisfaction. At 156,000 square feet, the facility is designed to house advanced manufacturing lines capable of delivering high-quality small and mid-size buses to customers across the United States and Canada.
Just seven months after acquiring the site, Micro Bird successfully began operations, a feat that highlights the company’s ability to execute ambitious projects with speed and precision. Already, the facility employs more than 225 team members, with plans to scale the workforce to 350 employees at full capacity. This expansion not only doubles Micro Bird’s production capacity but also creates hundreds of well-paying jobs in Clinton County.
Leadership Perspective: Building for the Future
For Micro Bird President and CEO Eric Boulé, the grand opening represents both a personal and professional triumph.
This grand opening is a proud moment for the entire team,” said Boulé. “With our new facility, we are doubling our production capacity and increasing our ability to deliver high-quality, long-lasting small and mid-size buses to our customers. This achievement is the result of the hard work and dedication from our talented teams here in Plattsburgh and at our Canadian headquarters in Drummondville, Quebec. We are deeply grateful to our employees and partners who made this vision a reality.
Boulé also emphasized the strategic importance of the Plattsburgh location. With its skilled workforce, close proximity to key U.S. and Canadian markets, and supportive community, the city provided the perfect environment for Micro Bird’s expansion.
Strong Support from New York Leaders
The facility’s opening was celebrated by government officials at every level, highlighting the project’s economic and symbolic importance.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul praised Micro Bird’s decision to invest in the state, emphasizing how the project aligns with New York’s long-term economic vision.
Today’s grand opening celebration marks a new chapter for Plattsburgh,” Governor Hochul said. “We are proud to welcome Micro Bird to the North Country, where the company is tapping into our skilled workforce, thriving transportation cluster, and major regional investments. This new facility strengthens the local economy, creates good jobs, and builds a brighter future for the region and all of New York.”
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer echoed those sentiments, recalling the recent closure of the former Nova Bus factory and framing Micro Bird’s arrival as a revival of the region’s proud transportation manufacturing heritage.
Micro Bird is officially open for business in Plattsburgh! Buses across America will soon be rolling out once again stamped ‘Made in the North Country’ by Plattsburgh’s powerhouse workforce,” said Schumer. “When I heard about the closure of the former Nova Bus factory, which was the beating heart of this community, I immediately called Volvo’s top brass to urge them to do the right thing and find a new manufacturer to take over this plant. Micro Bird’s leaders have shown they care about this community and continuing its manufacturing legacy by preserving hundreds of good-paying jobs here in Clinton County.
Partnership with Blue Bird Corporation and Girardin
The grand opening also highlighted Micro Bird’s strong partnership with Blue Bird Corporation, a major U.S. bus manufacturer, and Girardin Holdings, its Canadian partner. These collaborations have been crucial in shaping Micro Bird’s growth and technological innovations over the last several decades.
Blue Bird Corporation President and CEO John Wyskiel described the Plattsburgh facility as the natural continuation of a partnership that began over 45 years ago.
More than 45 years ago, Blue Bird started working with our partners at Girardin in Canada to design and build the first Blue Bird Micro Bird buses,” Wyskiel said. “Since 2009, our powerful joint venture has driven dynamic job growth, prosperity, technology innovation, and customer satisfaction in both the United States and Canada. Micro Bird is poised to further solidify its long-term success by launching the Plattsburgh plant and capitalizing on Buy America commercial bus opportunities.”
Commitment to Quality and Compliance
Every bus manufactured in the Plattsburgh facility will be fully compliant with the Buy America Act (BAA), which requires that federally funded transportation projects use domestically manufactured products. This ensures that Micro Bird buses not only meet stringent safety and performance standards but also contribute directly to the strength of the U.S. manufacturing base.
Boulé explained that the Plattsburgh expansion had been in the works for years, driven by the company’s desire to improve delivery times, enhance customer service, and grow market share.
We’ve been planning this expansion for some years,” he noted. “Plattsburgh was the perfect choice for us—the availability of a highly skilled workforce, proximity to major markets, and being part of a community with a strong manufacturing ecosystem. We are thankful for the warm welcome, and for the strong support from the state of New York, the County of Clinton Industrial Development Agency, the North Country Chamber of Commerce, The Development Corporation (TDC), and the Town of Plattsburgh. We look forward to being a long-term community partner and contributing to local economic development.
A Community Celebration
The grand opening ceremony brought together employees, company executives, industry dealers from across North America, and local government leaders. Guests participated in a ribbon-cutting, facility tours, and presentations highlighting Micro Bird’s ongoing commitment to product excellence and innovation.
For Boulé, the event was about more than a physical plant opening—it was about ushering in a new era for the company.
Today, we are opening more than a plant—we are opening the path to tomorrow,” Boulé declared. “Guided by vision and driven by ambition, every bus we build here will help shape possibility and set the future of transportation in motion. Micro Bird was built to take on tomorrow, and this new chapter in Plattsburgh is proof that our best is yet to come.
Driving Toward Tomorrow
With operations now underway, Micro Bird USA is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for safe, efficient, and reliable school and commercial buses. By investing in U.S. manufacturing and workforce development, the company is ensuring that it remains competitive in a rapidly evolving transportation industry.
The Plattsburgh facility not only expands production capacity but also symbolizes a broader mission: to create durable, innovative buses that serve communities, support education, and strengthen public transportation networks across North America.
As Micro Bird moves forward, the Plattsburgh plant will stand as both a symbol of resilience and a beacon of opportunity—bringing together employees, community partners, and customers under a shared vision of growth, sustainability, and excellence in transportation manufacturing.
