According to development officials of US state Arizona, Chinese solar-panel maker Suntech Power Holdings Co has chosen Goodyear to house its new factory. Barry Broome, president/CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, added that at least 54 renewable-energy companies are considering the region for possible factory sites. Suntech was attracted to Arizona because of the tax breaks passed by the Legislature in 2009, offering renewable-energy equipment factories income-tax credits & lower property taxes according to how much they invest in their factories & what they pay their workers. According to Broome, Suntech could therefore be eligible for US$1-1.5/M in state tax breaks based on its plans & even if the investment is not large enough to trigger reduced property taxes, Suntech will also receive a $500,000 credit for job training from Goodyear.
