Governor Ted Kulongoski (second from right) helps cut a
ceremonial ribbon at the Sanyo plant in Salem.
Posted: Monday, November 2, 2009
SALEM, OR - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski joined officials from electronics
giant Sanyo in Salem today to help open a solar cell plant. It’s the
same place the governor visited a year ago to celebrate the plant’s
ground-breaking. A lot has changed since then, as Salem
Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.
Last fall, when Governor Kulongoski shoveled a ceremonial pile of
dirt at the Sanyo facility in Salem, the state’s unemployment rate
stood at 7.2 percent. Almost exactly a year later, the Governor
stood on the same ground to help cut a ceremonial ribbon, as
production of solar cell components kicks off. Over that period
Oregon’s unemployment rate soared past 12 percent, and the state
hemorrhaged 92,000 jobs. Kulongoski said the 200 jobs this plant
will provide are badly needed.
Kulongoski: “In this difficult economic time, it is refreshing to have
a positive story to tell.”
The Governor said the jobs come courtesy of the state’s tax credit
program for renewable energy companies. Critics point out it’s
costing the state millions of dollars of tax revenue. Kulongoski
vetoed a legislative attempt to roll back the tax credit.
Copyright 2009 OPB