91视频

Solar manufacturer SoloPower, based in San Jose Calif., is planning to expand 鈥� to Portland.

Mayor Sam Adams and a handful of city and state officials announced today that SoloPower would establish its new manufacturing facility in Portland, and not Wilsonville, as considered previously. The company could end up in North Portland’s Rivergate industrial park, and will definitely be within the city’s enterprise zone, which yields a $17.9 million property tax break.

鈥淭his isn’t your grandmother or grandfather’s solar film manufacturer,鈥� Adams said with a smile.

SoloPower had planned to invest approximately $340 million in Wilsonville, where it sought to renovate a former Nike distribution center. But the company backed off because some citizens raised concerns about the city using urban renewal money as an incentive.

SoloPower’s CEO, Tim Harris, said Portland was chosen because of its enterprise zone; companies that make improvements to facilities within the zone are granted property tax abatement for five years. Wilsonville didn’t qualify for the state program.

鈥淭he shift to Portland has nothing to do with Wilsonville’s or Clackamas County’s leadership; they worked really hard on this,鈥� Harris said. 鈥淭he (URA) ran afoul with the citizenry and put enough uncertainty and delay to the project that we couldn’t afford to move forward.鈥�

SoloPower expects to employ 481 people, at an average annual wage of $51,000, plus benefits, at the facility. A site has not been determined yet; however, the company expects to break ground by early July and have its first phase of production up and running by the beginning of 2012.

Portland City Council will discuss the SoloPower plan at its Wednesday meeting, at 2:30 p.m.