An Italian-based manufacturing company has established a joint venture to produce U.S.-made solar panels in this area of Millville near Route 47 and Railroad Avenue. The Maurice River is at the left.
slideshow
MILVILLE — Like a phoenix, the glass industry here appears to be on the verge of arising from the glass furnaces of old. But in a new “green” format.
On Monday, state, county and municipal officials joined with MX USA representatives to announce the company’s plans to grow “green” jobs in New Jersey’s Holly City, where they expect to create 250 new jobs at a new solar module manufacturing facility.
Rep. Frank LoBiondo, who had to leave the press conference early because of its late start and his need to return to Washington for congressional voting, set the tone for the significance of the days’s news:
“Today's announcement is enormous as usually it is manufacturing jobs that are going somewhere else,” he said.
“This is a reversal of that. This is a big win for Millville, New Jersey and America.”
MX Group S.P.A, a solar energy manufacturing company based in Northern Italy, has recently established a joint venture with IPPsolar, a leading developer, owner and operator of photovoltaic solar systems in the United States. Under the partnership, the two companies will form MX USA Manufacturing Inc., in Millville where they expect to be producing U.S.-made solar panels by March 2010.
Millville became a center of glass manufacturing in the United States after its first glass factory opened in 1806. The last large factory in the town closed in 1999.
The return of glass manufacturing to the region, with a green twist, will help develop New Jersey’s clean energy economy, according to officials of the N.J. Board of Public Utilities (BPU), who were among dignitaries on hand for a news conference at the plant site, 2nd Street (Route 47) and Railroad Avenue, across from an area whose names are synonymous with the heyday of Millville glass: Whitall Tatum, Kerr, Foster Forbes.
The solar panel factory will benefit from a job-creation incentive from the N.J. Economic Development Authority as well as local incentives.
New Jersey’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goals of 22.5 percent by 2020, combined with attractive incentives for customers to install solar and businesses to manufacture panels, have made New Jersey second only to California in solar installations. As part of the Energy Master Plan, Gov. Jon Corzine increased the state’s renewable energy goals to 30 percent by 2020.
“New Jersey is a national leader in solar generation,” notes the governor in a BPU press release issued Oct. 26. “Today’s announcement will help us build our clean energy economy while creating jobs for South Jersey residents.”
BPU President Jeanne M. Fox not only echoed the governor’s sentiments but, as with most news releases of late emanating from Trenton, touted the Corzine administration.
“Today, New Jersey is recognized as a national leader in developing solar generation,” she said in the news release. “Under Gov. Corzine’s leadership, we have increased the number of solar installations ten-fold in the past four years. We have 4,400 installations with a generating capacity of more than 100 MW.
“It makes perfect business sense for MX USA to make their North American home in New Jersey—after all, we are the ‘Solar Capital of the United States.’”
New Jersey’s accelerated solar growth provides a ready market for solar panels. In addition, the N.J. Economic Development Authority’s Business Employment Incentive program has committed $2.4 million to MX USA to support their job creation in Millville. The company will receive the funds as a rebate from the income taxes generated by the new jobs the plant is expected to produce.
“We look forward to building strong and cooperative working relationships with the business community and government leaders of New Jersey,” said Michael Latefi, co-founder and chief financial officer of MX USA.
“MX USA is committed to bringing the technology of the renewable energy sector to the U.S., which has lagged Europe in producing and implementing solar power,” Latefi continued.
“As a private venture, MX is also committed to providing solar panels at competitive cost to U.S. industry, participating in the marketplace, earning profits and providing jobs for skilled workers who have been displaced during recent shifts in the global economy.”
Mayor Tim Shannon joined other government officials in welcoming MX USA.
“This is a great moment in time for the city of Millville. It fits perfectly with our efforts to reinvent Millville’s economy over the last ten years.
“Not only do we get a dynamic new industry locating in the city but also the creation of good paying, green jobs for local residents,” continued Shannon.
“On behalf of the entire City Commission, I want to thank the officials of MX USA, as well as the state officials at the BPU, NJEDA, and the governor’s office whose hard work and perseverance have made this exciting project possible.”
The head of the new venture, without even mentioning the Holly City by name, echoed the significance of the company’s locating in a city of mills where the glow of industry seems long passed.
“We feel that the United States and, particularly the state of New Jersey, is uniquely positioned for a solar revolution,” said Carmelito Denaro, chief executive officer of MX USA.
| 5 
| 
| 
