Century eyes 1,100 jobs fome Electric Vehichle Assembly Plant

Originally Published by the Pensacola News Journal


Escambia wooing company to assemble electric cars here
by Jamie Page • October 17, 2008

Owners of a Pensacola hotel chain are looking at land in Century to build an electric vehicle assembly plant that they say could create 1,100 jobs within five years.

Project Green Leaf — which includes local hotel owners Jay and Nash Patel — may invest $23 million into an existing facility in Century's industrial park, or buy 25 acres of land to build a plant to assemble electric vehicles, said Century Mayor Freddie W. McCall Sr.

As proposed, parts would be shipped from an electric car plant in France and assembled in Century. The vehicles would be sold here, McCall said.

The Patels, owners of LHS Companies in Pensacola, which operates hotels in Pensacola and Gulf Breeze, could not be reached for comment.

A county resolution supporting the business says the plant would bring up to 585 full-time jobs over three years.

The company anticipates producing about 150 cars per month and paying an average starting salary of $38,400, including benefits, he said.

"It would be answered prayers for Century," McCall said. "It would be something to put this little town back on the map, if it all comes true."

The company also is considering putting its corporate offices in Escambia County, which could provide up to 65 full-time administrative jobs with an average salary of $50,000, said Larry Newsom, the county's economic development director.

The measure county commissioners approved Thursday includes:

-- A resolution supporting Project Green Leaf's efforts in applying for state tax refund incentives for "target industries," such as green facilities.

-- A commitment of up to $39,000 in local tax rebates spread from 2009 through 2014 to encourage the corporate office to locate here.

-- A request to waive the state requirement for average annual wages of 115 percent of local or state averages. Average starting wage at the plant is projected to be of $38,400 a year, including benefits.

The application now goes to the governor's office, County Administrator Bob McLaughlin said.

"It's huge for this county and the Town of Century," said Escambia County Commissioner Kevin White, whose district includes Century.

But there is competition for the plant.

The Project Green Leaf team met with city officials and looked at property in Fort Payne, Ala., said McCall, who is meeting with the Patels and the mayor of Flomaton, Ala., today. The executives are asking for a resolution of support from both towns, McCall said.

"I am going to be one of the most disappointed people in the state of Florida if they don't end up coming here," McCall said.