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Monitran to build $93M manufacturing facility at Wayland; $16.9M Power‑Up grant to expand power
Summary
The Steuben County IDA says Monitran of the Czech Republic will build a roughly $93 million wheel‑set manufacturing plant at Wayland Industrial Park, initially creating about 85 jobs; the IDA also secured a $16.9 million Power‑Up New York grant to boost electrical capacity for future growth.
James Johnson, executive director of the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency, told the Agriculture, Industry & Planning Committee that Monitran — a Czech Republic‑based rail component manufacturer — has selected Wayland Industrial Park for what he described as a roughly $93 million facility. "Last week the Governor announced that we’ve successfully attracted a company (Monitran) out of the Czech Republic to build a $93 million facility at the Wayland Industrial Park," Johnson said.
Johnson said the initial phase includes the purchase of 54 acres of a 134‑acre park parcel and an expected initial workforce of about 85 employees within three years, with room for future expansion. He said Monitran will manufacture wheel sets (axles and wheels) and will keep administrative offices in Hornell. The company is in a tender process to select engineers, architects and builders and expects to start construction later this year, with a 12–18 month construction cycle before hiring.
The IDA also announced it has been awarded a $16.9 million Power‑Up New York grant intended to upgrade electrical infrastructure at the Wayland site. "We were very excited about the Power‑Up grant that will be coming to the IDA for $16.9 million, specifically for electrical infrastructure," Johnson said. He described the existing site capacity as about 2 megawatts and said full production for Monitran could consume that and require future demand of 6 or more megawatts. According to the IDA, NYSEG proposed increasing capacity at the site up to 21 megawatts by constructing a 6.6‑mile dedicated line and installing a capacitor bank at the Wayland substation over a multi‑year schedule.
Johnson said Monitran contacted local leaders following the closure of Gunlocke and the IDA will attempt to transition any suitable Gunlocke employees into the new operation. He also said the company chose Wayland for acreage and growth potential, not because of immediate rail service, though rail was discussed as a possible future need. The project and the Power‑Up work are proceeding through utility and local permitting processes and will be subject to final approvals before construction begins.
