This Canadian manufacturer is expanding, building a new facility near Ferndale
A Canadian company that manufactures electric buses is planning to set up its U.S. operations near Ferndale.
Grande West Transportation, which recently changed its name to Vicinity Motor Corp., is in the process of receiving a $300,000 grant through the Port of Bellingham and Washington’s Strategic Reserve Fund program. Among other things, the state program invests in innovative and sustainable ventures. The port processes and reimburses Vicinity for eligible expenses, said Mike Hogan, spokesman for the port.
The company hasn’t publicly announced the exact location as it finalizes some details, but the new facility will be in the Ferndale area, said John LaGourgue, vice president of corporate development. The company has already hired Lynden-based Faber Construction to build the new facility, and once those details are finalized it should come together quickly as LaGourgue estimates the new facility should be operational in early 2022.
“We’re very excited about this project; this is a big step for our company,” LaGourgue said.
The company plans on starting with around 20 employees at its Ferndale facility and ramping up from there, LaGourgue said. It will mostly build mid-size electric buses in Ferndale but the company also offers buses that run on natural gas and diesel.
The company, which is based in Aldergrove, British Columbia, has done well in Canada and is looking to expand its presence in the U.S. The company had been outsourcing its manufacturing of U.S. market products in Detroit, but decided they wanted to have more control over the process. LaGourgue estimates they are making an investment of around $15 million to $20 million in land acquisition and capital improvement construction for the Whatcom County facility.
The company has recently been awarded contracts in the U.S., including a contract that allows Washington state agencies the opportunity to purchase the buses. The company also recently delivered five new buses to Tulane University, LaGourgue said.
Along with being near the company’s Canadian headquarters, LaGourgue said being close to the airport and easy access for rail and trucks were also a factor in deciding to choose Whatcom County as its base for its U.S. operations.
Vicinity Motor Corp.’s announcement continues a string of manufacturing businesses moving or expanding in this area as economic conditions improve during this COVID-19 pandemic. Other recent announcements include the arrival of 360 Modular in Ferndale, Advanced Performance Parts moving into a building at the Bellingham airport and a new marine services company called Fairhaven Industrial Marine Repair Facility coming to Bellingham.
“We’re working with and have had more companies asking about Whatcom County than ever before,” said Don Goldberg, director of economic development at the Port of Bellingham.
The lack of available industrial lots, the lack of housing and not enough childcare options are among the factors that keeping even more companies from moving here, he said.
