After considering locations in several east coast states, Nova Bus chose the Banker Rd. Industrial Park because of its proximity to its headquarters, Build-Now N.Y. shovel-ready status, and its designation in the city's Empire Zone. Nova Bus, an international transportation company based in Saint-Eustache, Quebec is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Volvo Bus Corporation, one of the world's largest motor-coach and transit bus manufacturing groups. The plant will allow Nova Bus to meet U.S. content provisions that are part of almost all large metropolitan transit contracts. These rules mandate that the majority of a bus's parts must be manufactured and assembled in the U.S. in order for the bus to be purchased using Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds. The 136,800 s/f plant will manufacture and assemble its low floor system (LFS) buses at this facility. They will feature a stainless steel body, fiberglass body panels and PVC ground skirts, which eliminate the need for a mid-life overhaul after 8 to 10 years. As a result of Nova Bus's tight construction schedule Nova chose VIP due to its Integrated Project Delivery method and reputation for delivering projects on time or ahead of schedule and within budget. VIP Structures was hired to provide integrated project delivery, utilizing all three VIP companies. VIP Development Associates, Inc. as turn-key developer, VIP Architectural Associates, PLLC as the architect and VIP Structures, Inc. as the construction manager. VIP has been providing this integrated, architect led project delivery method for over 30 years, building facilities across the U.S. in record time, within budget, and with excellence in building quality. Ground breaking of the plant took place on April 16. The plant is scheduled to be fully operational in 2009.