The world’s largest maker of passenger rail cars is planning to break ground this week on a new factory in western Massachusetts.
Governor Charlie Baker is among the officials scheduled to speak Thursday at the ceremony to mark the start of construction on a $60 million 200,000 square foot factory on Springfield’s east side.
CNR-MA, a subsidiary of Chinese government-owned Changchun Rail Vehicles, purchased the 40 acre site for $12 million, according to spokesperson Lydia Rivera.
"This is an exciting time. The site is cleared and ready for construction," she said.
CNR-MA won a $566 million state contract to build 284 new subway cars for the MBTA. The factory is expected to employ 150 people.
