John Hensler, vice-president of Ottawa-based General Propulsion Inc., says the company is in talks with Ogdensburg officials to move its headquarters in the Franklin County city located on the St. Lawrence River.

In a brief phone interview with OBJ, Mr. Hensler said General Propulsion currently employs five people in Ottawa, down from a peak of 22. He said the company formerly occupied space on Fenton Road, immediately southeast of the airport.

The company's rudimentary website only lists an Ogdensburg, N.Y. address, but it currently operates out of Mr. Hensler's Kanata home, he said.

When asked about recent work with the federal government, Mr. Hensler said General Propulsion supplied Fleetway Inc., which he said was a subcontractor to BAE Systems. The companies recently made a failed bid to the Department of National Defence for work relating to Victoria-class submarines, he said.

Officials at Fleetway and BAE were unavailable to immediately confirm their relationship with General Propulsion.

The company says it develops technologies for the Canadian and American navies and private companies including Rolls-Royce, Siemens and Westinghouse.

Officials said Ogdensburg's proximity to Ottawa and the U.S. Army's Fort Drum in neighbouring Jefferson County played a role in the decision.

-With reports from The Associated Press

Internet site reference: http://www.obj.ca