KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, SportsPotter County Wants Alstom Power

Potter County Wants Alstom Power

Amarillo, TX - A key vote today brings a multi-billion dollar French conglomerate closer to opening a plant in Amarillo. It's been more then a year now since Alstom power has expressed interest in coming to Amarillo but the pieces are beginning to just now fall into place.

"They have substantial interest worldwide. But they do not have an American wind turbine cell manufacturing facility until this one. And it will be the only one," says Brian Jennings of the Amarillo EDC. Jennings has been talking with the company for over a year now about coming to the Panhandle.

Alstom has asked for a ten year tax abatement from our area in order to begin production of wind energy generators. "We understand the abatement will be a great incentive to bring the company to Amarillo," says Potter County Commissioner Joe Kirkwood.

If that abatement is approved by all entities in early March, Potter County will forgoe more than $100,000 per year in tax revenue, However Kirkwood says "We stand to get through the local government entities in terms of business revenue coming back, more then 2.2 million dollars in tax revenue. It is a win-win for Amarillo. One of the best things that has come along for our community in a long time.

That's because the plant will create 750 new jobs in our area. Bringing new tax revenue as well as being a stimulus for all local businesses who rely on our population for success.