Speculation about the $338 million in the North Carolina state budget signed into law on Thursday, Nov. 18 for the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite is rampant.

According to those speculations, the leading contender for the site is the Toyota battery plant, which according to a press release from Toyota in October matches the figures in the state budget to qualify for the $338 million in economic incentives with an initial investment of $1.29 billion which would create 1,750 jobs.  The figures in the state budget are an initial investment of $1 billion and the creation of at least 1,750 jobs.

As the community learned with the siting of the Toyota and Mazda vehicle manufacturing facility, which located in Alabama, just because the incentives are being offered doesn’t mean the plant will locate at the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite.

When asked to comment on the incentive in the state budget, Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan, who is out of town, responded with this text, “I appreciate Senate Bill 105 appropriating $338 million dollars for infrastructure for the Greensboro-Randolph megasite.  It will help us be more competitive to attract a major employer.  Our megasite is one of the best in the country and the commitment to this site at all levels of government is what site selectors look for.”

There is no indication in Vaughan’s response that the $338 million is directed toward any particular company, but that it would be available to any company that can meet the conditions of an initial investment of $1 billion and the creation of 1,7250 jobs.

However, the fact that the proposed economic incentive for the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite was included in the budget while economic incentives for other megasites in the state were not is an indication that this particular economic incentive is directed at a particular corporation that has the Greensboro-Randolph megasite under serious consideration.

 

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