Aided by at least $43 million in assistance from the government of Massachusetts and an innovative solar energy technology, Evergreen Solar emerged in the last three years as the third-largest maker of solar panels in the United States.
But now the company is closing its main American factory, laying off the 800 workers by the end of March and shifting production to a joint venture with a Chinese company in central China. Evergreen cited the much higher government support available in China.
I’m sure China’s new policy of not exporting raw rare earth minerals is behind this.
Even though Obama encouraged the Pentagon to only BUY AMERICAN the military cannot find enough solar panels made here.
So, to technically obey, they are merely leasing the things, not buying them.
LOL
I read that the funding level was $58,000,000. Any way, I would bet this was part of the stimulus money that was designed to create jobs in China!
Good lord. You would think when the government gives private companies money in grants or loans, there would be some strings attached, like – you don’t move the plant overseas – or some such qualifiers – otherwise the money has to be repaid in full imediately with interest. I get that companies have to make some hard business decisions sometimes, but when you stick out your hand and say “taxpayer, can you spare a dime (or some millions or billions) there needs to be some quid pro quo.