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Eurospeed USA plans factory
in Ansonia
ANSONIA — A Chinese motorcycle manufacturer
is planning to set up headquarters in Ansonia
Connecticut. More than 1,000 jobs will be created
by the time it opens the new factory.
The Euro Group of companies announced Monday that
Ansonia is the corporate base of its Eurospeed
USA operations. The automotive and technology
manufacturer also expects to open an Ansonia manufacturing
plant later this year, as well as at least one
other elsewhere in the area. Eurospeed USA will
distribute motorcycles in North America and Israel.
The firm's arrival is big news, said Ansonia
Mayor Jim Della Volpe. The mayor said Eurospeed's
arrival is the next step in the downtown revitalization,
which has already seen a new Bob's Stores and
a new Big Y supermarket open recently. Target
will open here in late July. "Our aim is
to try to get job opportunities here," Della
Volpe said. "It's the first part in a long-range
plan."
Della Volpe and other officials — including
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, and state Rep. Linda Gentile,
D-Ansonia, had been talking with Eurogroup officials
for several months to urge them to choose Ansonia.
"It's not only good for Ansonia, but it's
good for the entire Valley and state," Gentile
said. "It will create so many jobs and opportunities."
Michael Healey, a local car dealer and president
of Eurospeed USA, said the company is investigating
several sites for manufacturing Eurospeed motorcycles
and motor scooters. One site the company is looking
at is Ansonia Copper and Brass.
In the meantime, Eurospeed will start its manufacturing
operations in another area factory. An announcement
on the location of its first plant will be made
in 30 to 60 days, Healey said. Eurospeed will
also have a showroom and management office near
the Healey Ford dealership off Main Street, which
will be its U.S. base.
Eurospeed plans to have more than 1,300 dealers
nationwide in the next two years. The company
is aiming to also import cars and trucks by 2009.
Eurospeed bikes and scooters will cost between
$1,500 and $4,000.
Connecticut eliminated the property tax on manufacturing
machinery and equipment creating an added bonus
to locate a factory in the State.
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