Gov. Gregoire's statement on Moses Lake selected for new manufacturing plant

For Immediate Release: April 6, 2010

OLYMPIA - Gov. Chris Gregoire today issued the following statement on SGL Group and BMW choosing Moses Lake to build a state-of-the-art carbon fiber manufacturing plant. During the initial phase, $100 million will be invested and 80 local jobs will be created:

�I want to thank BMW and the SGL Group for their confidence in Washington, and welcome them to our state�s business community. This is a great day, and a big win for Moses Lake and our state as a whole. A new carbon fiber manufacturing plant in Moses Lake means new jobs for our people. It means growth for our state. And it means we will continue to lead in the green economy.

�As our Department of Commerce tells companies from across the world, �innovation is in our nature.� We can add today�s announcement to the growing list of innovative companies here. We still have a ways to go before every Washingtonian who needs work can find it. But building a manufacturing plant that will create as many as 200 construction jobs, as well as 80 permanent jobs once the plant is complete is an important step in the right direction.

�I personally met with executives from both companies last November, and then again in December in Copenhagen, Denmark. I am pleased the venture was drawn to our state�s affordable, renewable energy, our skilled labor force and the cooperation from both state and local agencies. I know other companies looking to locate and expand here will be attracted to those qualities, as well.

�I want to again thank BMW and the SGL Group, and look forward to a successful relationship that will lead to an even bigger presence for them in our state.�