In late 2024, Micro Bird announced plans to expand its manufacturing operations in Plattsburgh, N.Y., and this week that became a reality. New York Governor Kathy Hochul joined local leaders and company executives to cut the ribbon on the repurposed Nova Bus facility.

Following the purchase of the facility on Banker Road in December 2024 and a $38 million investment, Micro Bird’s team worked to set up the plant, train employees, and start production just seven months later. The company plans to build electric and non-electric small and mid-sized school and commercial buses there. 

Today, more than 225 team members are employed at the 156,000 square-foot Plattsburgh facility, with plans to grow the workforce to 350 team members at full capacity, including Nova Bus employees.

“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.”

According to the company, the investment is part of a growth strategy to double production capacity and better meet the sustained and growing demand for its products. This will also complement the company's North American dealer network.

Plattsburgh Facility Doubles Micro Bird’s Production Capacity

With the plant now in operation, Micro Bird started assembling buses in the United States and is fully compliant with the Buy America Act.

The project is supported by the Empire State Development with nearly $10 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits and a $2.5 million capital grant from the North Country Regional Economic Development Council.

“This grand opening is a proud moment for the entire team,” said Eric Boulé, president and CEO of Micro Bird. “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.”

“Micro Bird marks a historic milestone with the grand opening of its Plattsburgh, New York, plant and expansion of its advanced manufacturing capabilities to the United States,” said John Wyskiel, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation. "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. 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.”

“From our earliest discussions with Micro Bird, it was clear that they were the right partner with a similar manufacturing profile who would benefit from Nova Bus’s skilled employees and the cluster of suppliers in the Plattsburgh area," Nova Bus President Paul Le Houillier said when the plant was purchased. 

Just a few years ago, Micro Bird expanded its Quebec plant to increase efficiency.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in November 2024 and was updated on September 10, 2025, to add new details on Micro Bird's repurposing of the Nova Bus Plattsburgh facility.