$1 billion Tesla factory to be built in Texas city, officials say
Tesla announced on Wednesday that it has picked Austin, Texas, as the site for its auto assembly plant, according to media reports.
The new electric vehicle manufacturing plant will be located in southeast Travis County and is expected to create at least 5,000 new jobs.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk made the announcement in an afternoon meeting, the Associated Press reported, saying that the future factory will be “stunning.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement shortly after the news broke.
“Tesla is one of the most exciting and innovative companies in the world, and we are proud to welcome its team to the State of Texas,” Abbott said. “Texas has the best workforce in the nation and we’ve built an economic environment that allows companies like Tesla to innovate and succeed. Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas will keep the Texas economy the strongest in the nation and will create thousands of jobs for hard-working Texans. I look forward to the tremendous benefits that Tesla’s investment will bring to Central Texas and to the entire state.”
Texas wasn’t the only state in the running for the $1 billion auto factory. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt released a statement on Twitter, congratulating Texas and wished them success.
According to multiple media outlets, the site will build Tesla’s new Cybertruck pickup, which will have a “nearly impenetrable exoskeleton” for extreme durability and passenger protection, Tesla’s website said.
Last week, the Travis County Commissioners Court voted to approve its tax incentive agreement with Tesla — “a reported investment of $1.1 billion in the first five years that would lead to a 70% rebate on Operations and Maintenance taxes,” KXAN reported.
Musk added that the Gigafactory would have an “ecological paradise” environment around it.
“We’re going to have a boardwalk with a hiking and biking trail. An ecological paradise. It’ll have a hiking and biking trail and a stream,” said Musk, reported KXAN. “And it’ll be open to the public.”
Austin mayor Steve Adler expressed his delight with the news.
“Tesla moving to Austin is exciting,” said Adler, according to WFAA. “It gives us three things we need in East Austin. It gives us thousands of good wage jobs that don’t need a four-year degree. Its factory will be better for people and the planet. It’s an important economic boost in East Austin, especially as we fight the economic effects of the virus. This new opportunity will help our city be more fair for everyone who lives here. I look forward to working on and resolving the issues leading to final city approval.”
This story was originally published July 22, 2020 at 3:42 PM with the headline "$1 billion Tesla factory to be built in Texas city, officials say."