Haley Barbour defends state’s incentives for failed Twin Oaks solar equipment firm
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant says he’d prefer that the state not invest in startup companies like failed solar equipment firm Twin Creeks. The Republican says he’s steering the Mississippi Development Authority away from loaning or giving money to such companies.
“I do not have a preference for startup companies,” Bryant told The Associated Press Friday. “I am conservative because of my audit background and would look more toward companies such as Nissan, Severstal, heavy manufacturing companies with a background in the industry, a clear record of achievement. That would be more of a targeted industry for this administration.”
In a separate phone interview with AP, Bryant’s predecessor, Republican Haley Barbour, defended the state’s $27.7 million investment in Twin Creeks, a San Jose, Calif., firm that’s liquidating after a bank pushed the company into selling its technology. The company was supposed to invest $132 million and create 500 jobs in Senatobia.
AP
12/3/12
Magnolia Tribune
