Leake Seeks Clarity On Cronyism
Leake then proceeded to scold officials, “not to mislead us that we’re going to have 10,000 jobs by the end of this year, based upon our support.” It remains unclear what 10,000 jobs Leake was referring to, or why she thought they would be available by the end of the year.
The $10.9-million business investment grant that commissioners approved is part and parcel of up to $80 million being awarded to Siemens, which is relocating its gas turbine facility to Mecklenburg County from Canada and Florida. The City of Charlotte is kicking in about $44 million of so-called investment incentives, with various state funding streams picking up the balance.
Siemens officials originally said they would invest about $131 million into its new facility, projected to create about 650 jobs. After learning of the county/city/state trifecta grant, Siemens officials revised their projections to include a $170 million investment and the creation of about 825 jobs with an average salary of $60,000.
Under the deal commissioners approved Tuesday night, the county grant is equal to 90 percent of the taxes that will be paid by Siemens over the first five years of the grant and 50 percent of the taxes paid over the next five years. If the company creates 825 new jobs by the end of the fifth year, the amount of the grant will be 90 percent of the taxes paid during the second five-year period instead of 50 percent. A fiscal impact analysis for the project estimated the county would reap about $1.4 million over 10 years.
The analysis did not indicate how many jobs the Siemens project would create for Leake’s friends, or when those positions would be filled.
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