Pratt and Whitney to expand, create jobs

Pratt & Whitney, a Hartford, Conn.-based aerospace manufacturer, will invest $140 million to expand its operations to an existing facility in the town of Wallkill in Orange County.

The expansion of the company, which designs, manufactures and services turbine aircraft engines, will create 100 jobs in the region over the next five years while retaining 95 jobs at Advanced Coating Technology, a Middletown-based subsidiary of Pratt & Whitney.

Empire State Development, the state’s chief economic development agency, will provide a $900,000 capital grant and up to $1.6 million in tax credits, which are tied to job creation and investment commitments.

Other incentives include energy efficiency grants from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, an electric delivery rate discount of 20 percent for five years from Orange and Rockland Utilities, a lower electricity cost under the ReCharge NY power program and a potential sales tax abatement from the Orange County Industrial Development Agency.

The 71,500-square-foot facility will perform a new engine blade coating process that improves an engine’s longevity, durability and efficiency.

“This expansion of thermal barrier coatings in New York is an example of our effort to expand our capabilities and capacity while also improving the robustness of our manufacturing network,” said Joe Sylvestro, vice president of manufacturing operations at Pratt & Whitney.

Pratt & Whitney’s expansion to Orange County is “among the most significant attraction projects in over a decade,” said Maureen Halahan, president and CEO of Orange County Partnership, in a written statement. She added that it will bring advanced manufacturing jobs to Orange County and expand its high-tech manufacturing base in the town of Wallkill.