PAULSBORO, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) -- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says he is thrilled about a $250 million investment to transform a marine terminal in Paulsboro into the country’s hub for off-shore wind turbine production.
The state is positioned to be a leader in the manufacture and distribution of components for other states' offshore wind programs.
The governor says the state will benefit from the clean energy that wind provides, and thousands of people will be put to work as a result.
"We know that rebuilding our economy for the post-COVID world means building back smarter and more resilient than ever before, with the jobs to match — especially union jobs," Murphy said.
The project was more than a decade in the making, with a big push from state Senate President Steve Sweeney.
"New Jersey is going to be the hub for offshore wind manufacturing. Every state in the country on the East Coast has been chasing it. And guess what? We’re getting it," he said.
Construction on the facility is scheduled to begin next month, and manufacturing is expected to begin in about two years. When it is completed, the facility will provide at least 500 manufacturing jobs. More development at the marine terminal is expected.