Contact: Erika Martinez
(505)986-4819
Erika.Martinez@nmlegis.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2014
Senator Tim Keller Encourages State Government to Learn from Tesla Experience to Promote New Mexico
Santa Fe, NM – Today, Tesla Motors Inc. announced that Nevada would be the state to house its $5 billion gigafactory battery plant, beating New Mexico as one of the bidding states. But one state senator says although he had hoped New Mexico would come out as the chosen state in the end, many learned that it takes top down leadership to actively persuade new businesses to come to the state.
“New Mexico’s inclusion in the Tesla process of selecting a site for their gigafactory illustrates the immense potential our state holds for attracting and keeping innovative industries and most importantly, the new long-term, good-paying jobs that they bring,” said Senate Majority Whip Tim Keller (D-17-Bernalillo). “The benefits of our incredible natural resources and educational infrastructure are putting New Mexico on many short lists, but we must do more to move the needle on job creation and ensure the risks that we take are worth it.”
Sen. Keller was an active advocate of the Tesla gigafactory locating to New Mexico and spoke publicly on many occasions to provide suggestions on what should be done to make sure the state was taken seriously during the bidding process. He even proposed that a special session be called to create a responsible package of incentives to attract Tesla. Sen. Keller’s efforts were continually rebuffed by the Governor.
“Going forward, we need our Governor to take a leadership role to facilitate open and accountable meetings among our state’s business and education. All leaders need to help put together smart and responsible packages that create new jobs. Small tweaks to current policy aren’t going to move the needle and our state is not short on big ideas. We have been crippled by our inability to actually take action on any game-changing idea. If we are committed to building a sound future for New Mexico, it’s time we took meaningful action,” Sen. Keller added.
To read press releases related to Sen. Keller’s Tesla advocacy efforts, go to: http://www.nmsenate.com/.
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