By Mike Sunnucks | Rose Law Group Reporter
Goodyear is sticking with its development and jobs incentives deal with Nike to bring a $184.2 million, 505-worker manufacturing plant to the West Valley after Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said he was yanking any potential state support for the project.
Ducey is upset with Nike pulling American flag themed ‘Betsy Ross’ sneakers after former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick said the colonial America flag is racist. Ducey took to Twitter early Tuesday to criticize Nike and say the state would not provide any incentives for the project.
That put Nike. the flag sneakers and the planned new Goodyear plant on the national stage on social media as well as national media outlets especially Fox News.
Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord issued video and written statements Tuesday afternoon saying the city would honor its deal with Nike.
Lord stressed the importance of Nike creating more than 500 jobs and the focus of the city has been on economic development and growth.
The Goodyear agreement was approved Monday and includes a $2 million incentives for Nike including waives and discounted permitting and development fees as well as paying the multinational company more than $3,900 for every new employee it hires. The incentives have financial caps.
Nike has not yet identified a plant site.
Here is Lord’s statement and video:
“The city of Goodyear has found itself in the middle of a difficult situation. Today, much has unfolded. I can appreciate the emotion and discussion that I’ve heard on this important topic.
Last night, the Goodyear City Council unanimously approved a job creation agreement with Nike. This deal is expected to bring more than 500 jobs and a significant investment to the city.
We will honor the commitment we made in our agreement.
It has been a focus of the Goodyear City Council to build a strong economy for years to come and we will continue to work hard to bring the kind of high quality jobs that our residents deserve.”
Watch the mayor’s address here:
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