Arizona paid steep price to lure First Solar plant

The Greater Phoenix Economic Council worked for more than three years to land a major solar-manufacturing operation in Arizona. The intense, secretive negotiations that brought the $300 million factory reveal how much government and economic-development entities can be willing to offer up to attract major employers.

First Solar, Tempe, Ariz., wrangled at least $51.5 million in potential incentives out of the state, county and city, bought its land at a steep discount, and - perhaps the clinching factor - scored a discount on its power bills, according to an April 9 azcentral.com report.

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