Those laid off from Buffalo's SolarCity work site last week, as the result of delayed payments by New York State to contractors, should be back on the job later this week. That's the message forwarded by Buffalo mayor Byron Brown on Monday.
An estimated 1,000 workers were on the SolarCity factory site as of last week. Albany, however, is behind in paying the contractors. As WBFO reported earlier Monday, no one has offered any explanations as to why there are delays.
Mayor Brown was asked for an update late Monday morning.
"We have been informed by the Governor's office that they anticipate that being corrected this week," Brown said. "The funds are flowing through the state. They should get to the contractors and all jobs should be restored by this week."
The SolarCity project is one of the most significant projects under the state's so-called Buffalo Billion. The solar panel factory, when finished, is expected to create about 3,000 jobs, some in-house and some through other businesses within the supply and delivery chain.
The project, which officials say has been run on an ambitious schedule, is not expected to be seriously set back by these delayed payments, according to the mayor.
"So far, they have met their timeline goals and hopefully that will continue," Brown said.
SolarCity's massive complex is expected to be fully operational by mid 2017.
