Posted at: 06/28/2012 10:58 PM
| Updated at: 06/28/2012 11:00 PM
By: Danielle Todesco, KOB Eyewitness News 4
Solar power industry in New Mexico took a hit, and nearly 250 people will soon be looking for new jobs.
Schott Solar managers told employees on Thursday the Albuquerque solar panel production plant will be closed at the end of the summer.
The closure has city, county and state officials wondering about the investment taxpayers made into Schott Solar.
Schott Solar opened in Albuquerque in 2009 with investment from several government agencies in New Mexico.
Bernalillo County, for instance, gave Schott $500,000 in grant money to construct two buildings.
County officials said they expect Shott to pay back part of the grant.
Thursday evening, City of Albuquerque officials echoed that statement.
"We will be reviewing the documents associated with the various incentives that the city provided and working with the company on any related penalties or clawbacks that are due to the City," said Albuquerque Economic Development Department Director John Garcia.
Garcia spoke on behalf of Mayor Richard Berry.
He said they are not worried about Schott meeting their obligations, but their first priority is helping the employees who are suddenly without a job.
"The biggest concern the mayor has is how it affects the families of the employees, and the employees of Schott Solar," Garcia said.
New Mexico Secretary on Economic Development Jon Barela said the state gave Schott millions of dollars in incentives, expecting them to create more than 1,500 jobs.
The state is reviewing its contracts to see what Schott owes.
Source: http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s2672987.shtml?cat=500
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