Nevada Named New Home of Tesla Motors “Gigafactory”

Last Thursday, Tesla Motors’ Elon Musk, announced that the innovative electric vehicle manufacturer plans to build its $5 billion Gigafactory in Nevada, declining offers from California, Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. In line with the company’s promise, Tesla will only use raw materials sourced from North America, and because of the robust availability of lithium in Nevada, this economic boon will soon become a reality. U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) applauded the project at last week’s National Clean Energy Summit saying, “Most importantly for Nevada, this factory will create thousands and thousands of good-paying jobs and be so good for our economic development.”

Tesla’s Gigafactory, due to open in 2017, is projected to be the highest producing lithium-ion battery factory in the world, eventually producing more lithium each year than the sum of what was produced worldwide in 2013. Additionally, the Gigafactory is “expected to generate $100 billion for Nevada’s economy over the next two decades. It will create 6,500 jobs and add 4 percent to the state’s gross domestic product.”

“Is this agreement good for us?” Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) said yesterday at a press conference in Carson City.”I can answer that question today without hesitation and say emphatically this agreement meets the test by far.”

The evidence is clear: A strong domestic minerals supply chain means more companies choosing to manufacture in the U.S., and with that, more jobs, strong local and state economies and more innovation.

Continue reading about Tesla Motors’ decision here.