Wind turbine maker proposes major expansion in Portland (OR)

[jpak]

http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/business/3518537-41/story.csp

PORTLAND — Vestas Wind Systems, the world’s largest maker of wind turbines, said Monday it plans to expand its North American headquarters in Portland by increasing its work force in the city from about 350 employees to at least 1,200 and building a 500,000-square-foot office.

The city offered Vestas $12.5 million in incentives in hopes the wind farm developer would expand its Portland operations and build a $250 million facility, Portland Mayor-elect Sam Adams said.

Vestas is expected to add 850 white-collar jobs in Portland and to build on the city’s south waterfront.

Adams added, however, that the city’s agreement with the Danish wind farm developer is not a done deal. The city and Vestas will have to agree on a specific site in Portland, and the state must decide the financial incentives it will provide Vestas, he said.

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[dysfunctional press]

1. siemen's is opening a plant by us(elgin, IL) to build wind turbines-

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/06/second-siemens-plant-illinois.php

Siemens Energy & Automation has announced that it will develop a second plant in Elgin, Illinois for the manufacturing of mechanical drives for the wind turbine industry. The $20 million investment in this plant will create approximately 300 new production jobs and 55 new office jobs. Siemens’ current Elgin plant employs 150 people. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on June 25th, 2008 and the plant should be completed by March 2009...

although it won't produce as many jobs as the portland facility, it certainly is a step in the right direction.