Winsayer said Continental plans not only to sell its turbines for power generation, but also to develop wind farm projects, which have also been found to be highly successful in canyons. He noted such an operation could be possible in Santa Paula.“I would like to applaud Continental Wind Power,” and Mayor Ralph Fernandez said the nature of the company is in keeping with the “pristine nature of the valley... with hiring Santa Paulans it makes this even more of a green project” due to the lack of work commuting. “This is the kind of technology we would like to see more of in the valley,” and Fernandez lauded the efforts of Bobkiewicz and city staff as well as the community.“This is pretty exciting,” Limoneira Company President/CEO Harold Edwards said before the press conference. “Our solar orchard has exceeded our expectations” of both cost and energy savings, and Edwards is fully supportive of alternative power sources. “The sun shines,” he noted, “and we have a lot of that.”Winsayer said he would like the first turbines to roll off the Santa Paula assembly line in 2010.
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On Tuesday city leaders and the president of Continental Wind Power held a press conference to discuss the partnership to bring the manufacturing facility to Santa Paula, where the start-up company is hoping to lease or build a 50,000 square foot facility to manufacture mid-sized turbine machines. Above (left) Mayor Ralph Fernandez thanks Continental CEO Jim Winsayer for selecting Santa Paula for their facility (photo by Brian D. Wilson). |
Continental Wind Power looking to its future in Santa Paula
July 03, 2009
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula TimesOn Tuesday city leaders and the president of Continental Wind Power held a press conference to discuss the partnership to bring the manufacturing facility to Santa Paula, where the start-up company is hoping to lease or build a 50,000 square foot facility to manufacture mid-sized turbine machines. The new plant should start production next year and could eventually produce up to 600 wind turbines a year, about $400 million in annual sales.Continental, based in Santa Barbara, spent about a year looking around the nation for a suitable site and Santa Paula was selected for various reasons, notably the “attitude” demonstrated by the city leaders and community members who wooed the company. Continental CEO Jim Winsayer said although Santa Paula hadn’t been on the company’s initial list of possibilities, a conversation with City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz caused the company to take a hard look at the city where the enthusiasm and positive energy from city and school districts’ officials, potential employees, local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce turned the trick.“One thing I have found that is important in my business and my life is attitude,” and Santa Paula exhibited same as being “positive and ready to help us succeed.... It’s important to any new business to have your team” including the community.Another advantage already recognized by nurseries that have flocked to the Santa Clara River Valley in recent years is what Winsayer said is the area’s easy access to highways and rail freight service. Winsayer said although the company could build a new facility an existing building could be converted for use, the latter a way to fast-track manufacturing operations. Construction of a new building and equipment could cost $3 million to $5 million.Winsayer said the mid-sized, less than 200-feet high turbines that Continental would build sell for $700,000 to $800,000. In all, including Continental suppliers that would also be encouraged to open up in or relocate to Santa Paula, the plan could bring 300 to 500 jobs to the city. Wages at Continental alone would range from $12 to $15 an hour for trainees and up to $60 to $75 per hour for high tech positions.
