Arizona officials pursuing possible Tesla plant
Mar 19, 2014, 9:52 AM | Updated: 4:58 pm
PHOENIX — Two different groups of Arizona officials have written letters to Tesla Motors urging the company to open a new battery plant in the state.
The first letter, from a group headed by Rep. Paul Gosar, includes signatures from Arizona’s entire House delegation.
“Locating in Arizona will allow Tesla Motors to take advantage of our state’s low cost of doing business, simplified tax system, highly skilled workforce, unique access to major markets and extraordinary quality of life. For these and many other reasons, Arizona presents an ideal choice for this revolutionary factory,” the letter reads.
The other letter, according to ValueWalk.com, invited the car company’s CEO, Elon Musk, to personally visit the Phoenix metro area. That letter was signed by several Valley mayors, including gubernatorial candidate Scott Smith.
The letter assured that wherever Elon Musk decides to locate the plant within Arizona, he will get very good infrastructure to meet Tesla Motors Inc’s needs. It also mentioned that utility companies in Arizona have made heavy investments in renewable energy resources. Scott Smith said the Arizona Commerce Authority is working out more specific details such as incentives, taxes, and possible locations.
Smith told News/Talk 92.3 KTAR’s Rob & Karie the Valley has plenty of resources, including engineers, that would interest a company like Tesla.
He also said the arrival of companies like Tesla is the spark the state needs to focus more on education.
Arizona is one of four states that are finalists for the “Gigafactory,” which would cost up to $5 billion to build and employ about 6,500 people.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
