| Press Release |
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| October 15, 2008 |
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Governor welcomes seventh solar manufacturing facility to call Oregon home
(Salem)– Governor Ted Kulongoski today welcomed SANYO Solar of Oregon to Salem. SANYO is Oregon’s seventh solar manufacturing facility, contributing to the state’s leading position in solar manufacturing in North America.
With the addition of SANYO in Oregon’s line up of solar manufacturing facilities, the total capital investments amount to approximately $1.5 billion and over 2,000 new family-wage jobs over the last two years.
“SANYO’s decision to invest here demonstrates Oregon’s emergence as a national center for renewable energy development, and is good news in uncertain economic times,” said Governor Kulongoski. “Our efforts have paid off and we will continue to work on attracting companies like SANYO that create jobs in an industry that has a bright future.”
SANYO’s capital investment is estimated to inject $84 million into the local economy, constructing a 130,000 square foot solar manufacturing facility within a Salem-owned 80 acre site that is being developed as a renewable energy and technology park. The facility will be in full operation by the end of 2010. SANYO expects to hire 200 employees with the median annual compensation estimated to be $50,000.
“We competed globally for this project, so when SANYO chose Oregon it was a testament to the value we have put on renewable energy development,” Governor Kulongoski said. “The Business Energy Tax Credit was critical to the success of this project. This investment will pay off in immediate job creation and continued positive economic impacts in the years to come.”
The state of Oregon provided $20 million in Business Energy Tax Credits and $285,000 in workforce training dollars that go directly to Chemeketa Community College. The workforce training dollars will be used to develop solar technician curriculum that will help SANYO meet its workforce needs.
These investments are contingent on SANYO employing 200 workers above the county average wage for a minimum of five years.
Contact:
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-6169
Rem Nivens, 503-378-6496
Jillian Schoene, 503-378-5040
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