ILION --
There's encouraging news about the future of the Remington Plant in Ilion, but it's future is far from certain.
Following a meeting between executives with the Freedom Group, which owns Remington Arms, and a group of state legislators, we've learned that Remington will move ahead with plans to invest $20 million into various upgrades at the plant.
That investment was in the works before the passage of the New York Safe Act, which bans the sale of the Bushmaster semi-automatic rifle, which is made in New York State.
Ilion Mayor John Stephens previously told CNY Central that he hopes Remington Arms stays in Ilion, "where they belong."
Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi tells CNYCentral's Jim Kenyon this is encouraging news, but he points out that the Freedom Group may soon be bought out and the new owners may have different plans.
Brindisi also says company executives remain upset with the passage of New York's tough new gun laws, and other states like North Carolina and Texas continue their efforts to lure the plant away.
Shortly after the passage of the NY SAFE Act, South Carolina Congressman Jeff Duncan publicly urged the Remington Arms parent company to move its plant to South Carolina where they "believe in the right to keep and bear arms."
The Remington Arms Company was established in Ilion in 1816. It employs 1,300 people from throughout the Mohawk Valley.
The NY SAFE Act redefines and restricts the ownership of "assault weapons," bans high capacity magazines by limiting them to 7 rounds, requires background checks on the purchase of ammunition, attempts to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill, and requires 5 year renewals for pistol permits, among other things.
