Some Buffalo Common Council members are concerned that city residents are being shut out of SolarCity's hiring process. But not everyone in City Hall feels that way.
New York state taxpayers shelled out $750 million to build SolarCity's new giga-factory in South Buffalo. But Council members Richard Fontana and Chris Scanlon are upset that the company has not reached out to them to keep residents informed about the hiring process.
SolarCity held its first "preliminary informational session" for entry level jobs at Erie Community College's South Campus, in Orchard Park, on December 5.
But Mayor Byron Brown says, Buffalo is not being snubbed. Brown says, SolarCity is having more meetings next week for city residents.
"Obviously I join the City Council in pushing very aggressively to maximize job opportunities for city residents at SolarCity. So we will be pushing as hard as we can to make sure that a large number of city residents are hired," Brown said.
The mayor says SolarCity anticipates hiring roughly 1,500 people. According to a written statement issued by the company, people who attend the sessions will learn background on the solar industry and about the hiring process for manufacturing specialists, shipping and receiving clerks and material handlers.
SolarCity expects hiring to get underway in the new year.