While many companies have had to scale back their workforce in recent months, a manufacturing company in Chenango County is looking to hire and hire fast. Our Janelle Burrell tells us they're doing it with some help from the state.

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GREENE, N.Y -- While most were struggling to find work last year, Brett Lowers could count himself among the lucky ones.

"I was looking for a job on the internet, went through CDO Workforce and stumbled across Raymond. I applied and within a month, they got back to me," Lowers said.

Lowers has been a welder at the Raymond Corporation in Greene since last November. Early last year, the organization faced a company wide consolidation.

"In 2009, we faced the challenges that most of the manufacturing firms in the U.S. faced. We had an economic downturn and it was devastating to us," explained Rick Harrington, Raymond's vice president of manufacturing.

But business is now looking up and the lift-truck manufacturer is looking to hire.

"Today, I'm pleased to say, rather than talking about layoffs, we're talking about jobs," announced New York State Labor Commissioner Colleen Gardner.

Raymond officials were joined by Commissioner Gardner to announce their plans to recruit 100 new employees in the next 60 days. It's being made possible with help from state incentives.

"One was the Hire Act tax credit, which provides employers with a tax savings. They do not have to pay social security tax between now and the end of the year if they hire someone who's been laid off for more than 60 days," Gardner explained.

There's also the on-the-job training program that gives employers up to $5,000 for every trainee they recruit, an attractive offer, enabling Raymond to hire more people like Lowers, who says he foresees a long future with the company.

"I'm not going to go anywhere," said Lowers. "It's a solid job."

The type of job officials hope to help more unemployed secure.

For more information about positions at Raymond, visit www.raymondcorp.com. Other opportunities in New York can be found by visiting www.labor.ny.gov.