Solar panel company soaks up state perks, then splits for (where else?) China

[charlie]

Green tech. Jobs of the future. Hah! Makes me wonder if we're going to be dumb enough to swap dependence on the Saudis for dependence on the Chinese.

Hundreds of employees of a solar panel factory in Massachusetts are looking for new jobs after the company announced that it's moving the plant to China.

Three years ago, Massachusetts wooed Evergreen Solar to locate in a former Army base in Devens that had been converted into an office park, hoping it would help boost the state's reputation as a hub for green industry. Now, many are second-guessing if and how government should be in the business of helping private business.

On paper, it was a match made in heaven. Evergreen moved in and began to reap millions of dollars in fringe benefits, from tax breaks to free rent and cash grants. Evergreen grew from 100 to 800 employees. This month, the state woke up to what was basically a note on the kitchen table saying Evergreen was leaving.

"I was in shock for about a week," says Eric Grieman who works as a wafer fabricator at the company. "I have no clue what I'm going to do next"...

http://www.npr.org/2011/01/28/133249970/loss-of-solar-jobs-has-mass-rethinking-state-aid

[baldguy]

1. Sounds like a reason to exercise the state's right of eminent domain.

Massachusetts helped build that company, and until the state's investment is repaid all of the company's assets should held in restraint and prevented from being transferred.

[zipplewrath]

3. Yup, they should strike better deals

These benefits and tax breaks should come with strings attached such that they can't split the day they are over.

[WinkyDink]

2. We've not "swapped;" we've added a second master.