Post by thedirtman on Mar 29, 2014 11:49:49 GMT -5
Arizona's House delegation continues Tesla courtship
Ryan Randazzo, The Republic | azcentral.com
All nine members of Arizona's House delegation signed a letter to Tesla Motors on Tuesday hoping to convince the company's CEO Elon Musk to bring a $4 billion to $5 billion battery factory to the Grand Canyon State.
The letter bragged about Arizona's corporate-friendly tax structure, ample use of solar electricity and other points that could make the state attractive for the massive "gigafactory" that Tesla announced last month.
The Palo Alto, Calif. electric-car maker said it plans a facility that would have the square footage of about 100 Walmart stores, employing 6,500 people and churning out 500,000 batteries a year for cars assembled in Fremont, Calif.
Tesla said company officials are considering Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas for the factory, which would occupy 500 to 1,000 acres. The company said in its announcement it hoped to power the facility with solar and other renewable forms of electricity.
"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 said.
Rep. Paul Gosar, a Republican, took the lead on the letter, but it also was signed by Trent Franks, Matt Salmon, David Schweikert, Ron Barber, Raul Grijalva, Ed Pastor, Kyrsten Sinema and Ann Kirkpatrick.
"We realize there are opportunities that abound here and we should be on the forefront of recruiting companies to come here," Gosar said Tuesday. "When you start looking at what we have to offer, we have more than any other state can offer."
Gosar said it was the only time during his term in office the entire House delegation from Arizona spoke in unison on an economic-related issue.
"We can work together when we put our mind to it," Gosar said.
Tesla has released little information regarding its plans, other than it will work with partners and hopes to begin construction this year.
Tesla has not said what might make one state more attractive than another, but the company might not be looking at just raw land.
Gilbert Economic Development Director Dan Henderson said Tesla is looking for a 7 million-square-foot vacant building or at least 500 acres of contiguous industrial-zoned property, adding that the city is not in the running among Arizona sites hoping to land Tesla.
Tesla also wants a site with two rail-service providers, Henderson said, as well as proximity to an international airport and freeway access.
Few other officials in Arizona have even acknowledged Tesla is eyeing the state.
Tesla made its announcement that Arizona was among four sites in contention for the factory Feb. 26, as the state was awaiting Gov. Jan Brewer's action on Senate Bill 1062, which would have offered a legal defense for individuals and businesses facing discrimination lawsuits if they denied service to people. Many activists believed it would lead to discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Brewer vetoed SB 1062 hours after Tesla made its factory plans public via a blog on the company website.
Earlier this month, the mayors of Mesa and Avondale invited Tesla's CEO to visit the state. The Maricopa Association of Governments letter was the first public acknowledgment by officials here that Tesla is considering Arizona for the factory. It was signed by Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, who is running for governor, and by Marie Lopez-Rogers, the mayor of Avondale. Both chair committees within MAG.
Smith said he was aware of talks between the company and other officials in Arizona but declined to share any further details.
Tesla's Model S, which sells for $70,000 to about $100,000, was named the best overall vehicle by "Consumer Reports" this year after a test of a nearly $90,000 model. "Motor Trend" magazine named it car of the year for 2013 when the base price was closer to $60,000.
Despite the price, buyers are lining up for the cars. Musk told investors last month the company is seeing high interest in its yet-to-be released Model X.
Tesla operates a showroom at Scottsdale Fashion Square but cannot sell directly to customers in Arizona because of a law that prohibits manufacturers from acting as auto dealers. Customers instead can order a Tesla online with a deposit.
Parker Leavitt and Ronald J. Hansen contributed to this report.
www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/2014/03/18/state-representatives-continue-tesla-courtship/6582791/
Ryan Randazzo, The Republic | azcentral.com
All nine members of Arizona's House delegation signed a letter to Tesla Motors on Tuesday hoping to convince the company's CEO Elon Musk to bring a $4 billion to $5 billion battery factory to the Grand Canyon State.
The letter bragged about Arizona's corporate-friendly tax structure, ample use of solar electricity and other points that could make the state attractive for the massive "gigafactory" that Tesla announced last month.
The Palo Alto, Calif. electric-car maker said it plans a facility that would have the square footage of about 100 Walmart stores, employing 6,500 people and churning out 500,000 batteries a year for cars assembled in Fremont, Calif.
Tesla said company officials are considering Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas for the factory, which would occupy 500 to 1,000 acres. The company said in its announcement it hoped to power the facility with solar and other renewable forms of electricity.
"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 said.
Rep. Paul Gosar, a Republican, took the lead on the letter, but it also was signed by Trent Franks, Matt Salmon, David Schweikert, Ron Barber, Raul Grijalva, Ed Pastor, Kyrsten Sinema and Ann Kirkpatrick.
"We realize there are opportunities that abound here and we should be on the forefront of recruiting companies to come here," Gosar said Tuesday. "When you start looking at what we have to offer, we have more than any other state can offer."
Gosar said it was the only time during his term in office the entire House delegation from Arizona spoke in unison on an economic-related issue.
"We can work together when we put our mind to it," Gosar said.
Tesla has released little information regarding its plans, other than it will work with partners and hopes to begin construction this year.
Tesla has not said what might make one state more attractive than another, but the company might not be looking at just raw land.
Gilbert Economic Development Director Dan Henderson said Tesla is looking for a 7 million-square-foot vacant building or at least 500 acres of contiguous industrial-zoned property, adding that the city is not in the running among Arizona sites hoping to land Tesla.
Tesla also wants a site with two rail-service providers, Henderson said, as well as proximity to an international airport and freeway access.
Few other officials in Arizona have even acknowledged Tesla is eyeing the state.
Tesla made its announcement that Arizona was among four sites in contention for the factory Feb. 26, as the state was awaiting Gov. Jan Brewer's action on Senate Bill 1062, which would have offered a legal defense for individuals and businesses facing discrimination lawsuits if they denied service to people. Many activists believed it would lead to discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Brewer vetoed SB 1062 hours after Tesla made its factory plans public via a blog on the company website.
Earlier this month, the mayors of Mesa and Avondale invited Tesla's CEO to visit the state. The Maricopa Association of Governments letter was the first public acknowledgment by officials here that Tesla is considering Arizona for the factory. It was signed by Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, who is running for governor, and by Marie Lopez-Rogers, the mayor of Avondale. Both chair committees within MAG.
Smith said he was aware of talks between the company and other officials in Arizona but declined to share any further details.
Tesla's Model S, which sells for $70,000 to about $100,000, was named the best overall vehicle by "Consumer Reports" this year after a test of a nearly $90,000 model. "Motor Trend" magazine named it car of the year for 2013 when the base price was closer to $60,000.
Despite the price, buyers are lining up for the cars. Musk told investors last month the company is seeing high interest in its yet-to-be released Model X.
Tesla operates a showroom at Scottsdale Fashion Square but cannot sell directly to customers in Arizona because of a law that prohibits manufacturers from acting as auto dealers. Customers instead can order a Tesla online with a deposit.
Parker Leavitt and Ronald J. Hansen contributed to this report.
www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/2014/03/18/state-representatives-continue-tesla-courtship/6582791/