Chinese panel maker plans N. American HQ in Ariz.
Posted on November 17th, 2009
Greenwire: Chinese solar-panel manufacturer Suntech Power Holdings Co. yesterday announced it will build a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and North American headquarters in Arizona.
The facility will initially employ 75 and should begin operation within a year, the company said. The work force will grow to 150 after a year of operation, and 250 after the final build-out.
“This is a great day for Arizona,” said Gov. Jan Brewer (R). “I’ve been so determined that we have a business climate that will bring us jobs. We committed to Suntech we will make the transition as easy as possible for them.”
Suntech picked Arizona over a competing offer from Austin, Texas, thanks in part to new state incentives intended to diversify Arizona’s real estate-dependent economy and generate high-paying jobs. Brewer earlier this year signed a law giving up to 10 percent income-tax credits on capital investment to companies that open renewable energy manufacturing facilities, an incentive “pivotal” to Suntech, said Barry Broome, president of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.
“It’s been a while since we won something over Texas,” he said.
Companies that spend at least $25 million also could have their property taxes reclassified, saving them about 80 percent of that tax. Suntech plans an initial investment of $13 million, with more down the road, Brewer said (Ryan Randazzo, Arizona Republic, Nov. 16). – PT