The state’s top economic development officials are working to lure a Chinese solar manufacturer to West Tennessee.
Governor Phil Bredesen is in China leading a trade mission. Aside from creating new relationships with Chinese business leaders, he’s hoping to return with specific prospects for the new mega site in Haywood County. TVA has certified that it can provide enough power for major manufacturing. The tract sits next door to the planned solar farm funded by stimulus money.
Bredesen says some Chinese solar companies have been asking questions and appear to have some interest.
“These are big economies that are going to be sending a lot of money out in investments, and I’m not quite sure which one is going to come home to that site, but there will be a lot of great prospects coming down the road.”
Traveling with Bredesen is the state’s chief salesman, Matt Kisber. The economic development commissioner says more companies will take an interest in the Haywood mega site once it becomes “shovel ready.” That’s why Kisber says he hopes to begin building infrastructure like roads and utilities as soon as the state takes ownership of the land. Those improvements could require more state funding above and beyond the purchase price of 40-million dollars.
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