British company plans to build hybrid vans in Hazelwood after city, state provide incentives
The Associated Press
July 28, 2011
HAZELWOOD, Mo. -- The St. Louis area has lost thousands of auto manufacturing jobs in recent years, but may soon get some back.
Hazelwood has approved a measure to provide $3 million through economic development sales tax to help a British company build a plant to make hybrid electric vans.
The Missouri Technology Corp. will also provide $2 million.
Mayor Matthew Robinson says the city and Emerald Automotive have been talking since February, and the city signed off on the deal Wednesday. The plant could create 1,000 jobs and could be operating by 2014.
Emerald CEO Andy Tempest says the company will make lightweight delivery vans for European commercial fleets. The vans will eventually be offered for sale in the U.S. and possibly Asia.
