Reader TTS

A Long Island-based tech company said its bringing jobs back home from China and India, pledging to open four factories in Suffolk County. Orbic North America announced its “Project Patriot”

Wednesday — that would mean three new solar-powered factories in Hauppauge and one in Bay Shore opening their doors at the start of next year, bringing 1,000 manufacturing jobs back to

America. “I keep getting asked, ‘why,’ but I don’t think I need to debate with anyone,” Narula said of moving manufacturing to New York and possibly seeing a cut in profits to do so. “We’re

going to be able to produce more volume and sell more units, so it will offset everything — there will be no loss in profits,” he told The Post. Narula said the company — whose products

include phones, computers and parts — will now be able to pump out over 5 million units a year, millions more than they were making overseas. EXPLORE MORE He detailed that the new jobs would

start at $45,000 a year, and the company is even partnering with Suffolk County Community College to offer job training programs that aim to build a local talent pipeline and ensure Long

Islanders are first in line for the high-tech positions. James Gowen, senior vice president of Supply Chain for Verizon — who is partnered with Orbic North America to power their tech — said

that Verizon unequivocally supports the move. “Our commitment is to invest in America,” he said. Narula said the move had nothing to do with Trump’s tariff policy, and said the move was in

the works prior to the election. “We couldn’t have gotten this far if this was just a reaction to his announcement in January,” he said. “But we need to take control of the supply chain and

other manufacturing that needs to be done here.” Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine attended the announcement and shared his appreciation for the company “leading the way and providing the

future” for other businesses and Long Islanders. “Orbic will play a key role in helping define a new era in the Long Island business community,” Romaine told The Post. “We’re looking forward

to seeing them open their doors and create hundreds of jobs for Long Island.”