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Kinkisharyo to construct permanent rail manufacturing site in Palmdale

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Kinkisharyo, a world leader in rail car production, will construct a new, permanent manufacturing facility in Palmdale.

In a letter sent to Palmdale’s Director of Economic Development and Communications Dave Walter, Kinkisharyo General Manager, Donald S. Boss wrote, “We look forward to partnering with the city and the opportunity to develop a long-term working relationship. On behalf of all of us at Kinkisharyo, we thank you for your patience and appreciate the effort that you and your team went through to make this deal happen. We will be proud to call Palmdale our new home.”

The city will sell 60 acres of land located on the corner of Sierra Highway and Ave. M for $1.3 million to Kinkisharyo, and bring utilities and infrastructure to the property. The targeted completion date is May 2015.

“This is a monumental project for Palmdale and the Antelope Valley as a whole,” said Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford. “Having Kinkisharyo come here and build a permanent facility helps further solidify our position as the transportation epicenter in California. Where else do you have two high speed rails systems, two freeways, commuter rail, and an airport converge in one location, inside a Foreign Trade Zone and with a major railcar manufacturer smack dab in the middle? I believe this is just the beginning of a manufacturing renaissance here in the Antelope Valley.”

The $60 million dollar project to build the 460,000 square foot plant will create hundreds of construction jobs and when completed provide between 150 to 200 high paying jobs.

“With the Palmdale Power Plant and now Kinkisharyo at the Sierra Highway and Ave. M location, it kick starts one of the most valuable pieces of industrial real estate in Southern California,” Ledford said.  “As this area is developed with infrastructure, as well as easy access to rail and freeways, it opens up the reality of creating an inland port right here in the AV. This will bring even more jobs and economic stability to our region.”

Currently, Kinkisharyo is leasing a hanger at Palmdale Plant 42’s Site 9 where the first two railcars are scheduled to be completed by June. Kinkisharyo landed a 10 year, $891 million contract with MTA in Los Angeles for more than 200 rail cars for the Metro system.

“We’ve been waiting for this day for a long time,” said Walter. “So many people and organizations played huge roles in making this a reality. Supervisor Antonovich, the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, our mayor and council, and city staff went above and beyond to do everything they could to help solidify the deal.”

Some of Kinkisharyo’s other clients include Boston’s MBTA, New Jersey’s Hudson-Bergon Light Rail and Newark City Subway, San Jose’s VTA Light Rail, Seattle’s Sound Transit Central Link Light Rail. Dallas’ Dart Light Rail, Hong Kong’s Kowloon-Canton Railway, Singapore’s Mass Transit System, Japan Rail Group, Philippine’s Manila Light Rail Transit System, UAE’s Dubai Metro, Egypt’s Cairo Metro and the Trans-Australian Express train coaches.

For more information, contact Palmdale’s Economic Development and Communications Department at 661/267-5125.

For more information on Kinkisharyo, visit www.kinkisharyo-usa.com.

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