By Suzanne Adams-Ockrassa | Casa Grande Dispatch
Instead of the typical overturning of earth with golden shovels, Lucid Motors opted for a “ground-building” ceremony where company leaders and local dignitaries planted the first tree on the property.
The tree represents “the seed of the successful partnership” Lucid wants to build and grow with the Casa Grande community, said Peter Rawlinson, Lucid’s CEO and chief technology officer. The work on that connection started more than three years ago as state and local officials worked with Lucid to bring the luxury electric car manufacturer to the area, he said.
Lucid started moving dirt on the property in July but didn’t pour the first concrete footings for the new $700 million plant until last month. Monday’s event opened with skydivers floating from the sky with an American flag, a Pinal County flag and a Lucid Motors flag. More than 100 people packed into a giant tent on the property near the corner of Thornton and Peters roads. where Lucid’s 500-acre property sits.
