NEW YORK—Smith Electric Vehicles Corp., a manufacturer of zero-emission, all-electric commercial vehicles, has signed a lease to occupy Simone Development Companies’ 90,000-sq.-ft. industrial building located at 295 Locust Avenue in the Port Morris section of the Bronx. The site will serve as a clean technology manufacturing facility where the company will assemble electric trucks.
The move is expected to create more than 100 jobs.
“We are absolutely thrilled that Smith Electric Vehicles will be opening their new manufacturing facility in our state-of-the-art industrial property,” said Joseph Simone, president of Simone Development Companies. “This is a significant development for the entire region’s economy. Not only will this facility create new jobs, it will also produce clean energy vehicles to improve our environment.”
Based in Kansas City, Mo., Smith Electric Vehicles Corp. is renovating the building for its manufacturing assembly, service and sales facility. It’s in this space where the company will manufacture its Newton, a zero-emission, all-electric commercial vehicle.
In addition to making investments in renovations, equipment and training, Smith Electric is receiving a package of state and city incentives valued at more than $6 million.
Constructed in 2002, 295 Locust Avenue includes a 70,000-sq.-ft. ground floor and a 20,000-sq.-ft. mezzanine with 5,000 sq. ft. of office space.