Washington D.C., March 18, 2014—Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) joined the Arizona delegation in a letter to Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk, encouraging him to locate Tesla’s estimated $5 Billion “Gigafactory” in Arizona. 

The proposed Gigafactory projects to create more than six thousand jobs from the battery factory by 2020. Arizona is a finalist among Texas, Nevada, and New Mexico for the factory location. 

“Arizona has a highly skilled workforce and total manufacturing employment within our state exceeded 154,000 in 2012. The availability of this capable labor force, coupled with promising companies, make the state a center for high-tech business growth over the next century,” read the letter. "We are committed to working together at every level of government to foster a prosperous environment in our state so companies like Tesla Motors can thrive.” 

“I am thrilled to see that Arizona’s attractive infrastructure is intriguing to innovative, fast growing companies like Tesla,” said Schweikert. “I hope our State’s tech-friendly community and highly skilled workforce will move Arizona to the top of the list.”

The Gigafactory projections can be read here. The full letter to CEO Elon Musk can be read here. 

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Contact Maggie Zehring: margaret.zehring@mail.house.gov
(202)680-9613