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Politics : Rat's Nest - Chronicles of Collapse -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Wharf Rat who wrote (9454)	8/26/2009 10:10:05 AM
From: Wharf Rat	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 24213

Officials: Energy companies want closed Ford plant By DAVID EGGERT, Associated Press Writer David Eggert, Associated Press Writer – 1 min ago LANSING, Mich. – Two alternative energy companies plan to buy a shuttered Ford Motor Co. factory in southeast Michigan and convert it into a renewable energy park that could employ at least 2,800 workers within five years, officials told state lawmakers Wednesday. Xtreme Power of Kyle, Texas, and Clairvoyant Energy of Santa Barbara, Calif., said they want to purchase the sprawling 320-acre Wixom Assembly Plant if state tax incentives and federal loans are approved. Ford said it plans to sell the factory to the companies. Officials said Xtreme could hire 2,500 workers between late 2011 and 2014, with the potential to create another 10,000 supplier-related jobs — 1,500 at or near the plant. Clairvoyant could hire 300 employees. Xtreme makes energy storage systems for utilities, wind farms and large manufacturers. Clairvoyant builds rooftop solar power stations. The companies would refurbish the Wixom plant, which closed in 2007 after churning out cars for 50 years. Half the space would be used to make the companies' own products and the rest would be leased to suppliers and other renewable energy companies. Xtreme and Clairvoyant are looking to add a university research component to the site, too. "We are looking forward to locating here in Michigan," Xtreme Power CEO Carlos Co told the House New Economy and Qualify of Life Committee. Legislators were expected to start approving tax breaks Wednesday. "It's plant ready. We're ready to go. We can start these jobs quickly," Wixom Mayor Kevin Hinkley said. Gov. Jennifer Granholm had previously mentioned the possibility of an energy project at Wixom. Xtreme and Clairvoyant face a Sept. 14 deadline to apply for federal loans for renewable energy projects. But the officials said before the companies submit their applications, Michigan must approve $100 million in refundable tax credits for advanced battery production and a $25 million tax break for solar-based manufacturing — along with increasing the number of job-creation tax credits that can be handed out by the Michigan Economic Growth Authority. Other projects, including an amusement park, have been proposed for the site. But officials called the energy park a better deal because jobs there could pay an average $40,000 a year and the plant would not have to be leveled, bringing jobs and tax revenue sooner. news.yahoo.com