Governor Brewer Welcomes Solar Component Manufacturer to Arizona

Governor Jan Brewer Announces Manufacturing Jobs in Arizona

PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer has secured Tower Automotive’s commitment to locate its solar component manufacturing in Arizona and create up to 200 jobs. The announcement was made during Governor Brewer’s State of the State Address today. Tower Automotive is diversifying its product line to manufacture parts for Stirling Energy Systems which will be used to generate grid-quality solar electric power.

“This is a significant win for Arizona in that it advances our competitive position in the global market and further establishes Arizona’s foothold in the solar industry,” said Governor Jan Brewer. “My goal is to land the top solar manufacturers in the world; creating jobs that put Arizonans back to work and help Arizona families get back on their feet.”

“Tower Automotive is excited to bring our technology and expertise to the Southwestern United States through the establishment of manufacturing operations in the metro Phoenix area,” said Bill Pumphrey, Tower Automotive’s President of the Americas. “Through the support of our customer, Stirling Energy Systems, and the State of Arizona, both of which made this possible, we are confident that this is the start of exciting growth opportunities for our company, our colleagues and the communities we support.”

“We’re pleased that Tower Automotive, one of our full service supplier partners, will be joining us in Arizona with a state-of-the-art high tech facility to manufacture components for our SunCatcherTM technology,” said Steve Cowman, Stirling Energy Systems CEO. “We commend Governor Brewer and congratulate the State of Arizona for their efforts in securing Tower Automotive’s location to Arizona.”

Tower Automotive will locate in the Phoenix-metro area, but has not announced its Arizona site.

Tower Automotive is one of the largest independent global suppliers of automotive metal structural components and assemblies. It operates roughly 40 manufacturing and product development facilities in 13 countries in North and South America, Europe and Asia.

When Tower Automotive locates to Arizona, it will be eligible under the new Renewable Energy Tax Incentive program, which provides refundable tax credits and property tax reductions for manufacturers. The Arizona Department of Commerce provides program information at www.azcommerce.com.

Source: Office of Governor Janice K. Brewer

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