SIGNING DEAL: Governor in China. Governor's office


Gov. Asa Hutchinson
said this morning that a Chinese garment manufacturer plans a $20 million factory in Little Rock that will employ 400 at $14-an-hour wages. 

Hutchinson talked with reporters by phone from a China trade trip. 

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He he said the jobs involve robotics, unlike the cut and sew operations of old that have gone to low-wage countries. The Suzhou Tianyuan Garments Company will make Adidas apparel.

The AEDC provided this fact sheet:

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Tianyuan’s Project Parameters

*Hire 400 full-time permanent employees within 4 years of start of operations

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* Invest $20 million for equipment, purchase building, and make capital improvements to the building

* Locate and operate an apparel manufacturing facility in Little Rock, Arkansas

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* No specific location has been determined at this time

AEDC’s Incentive Offer

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* Five (5) years of Create Rebate @3.9% – estimated benefit is $1,590,000

* Tax Back Program – estimated benefit is $134,000

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* $1,000,000 Infrastructure Assistance Grant for building improvements and/or equipment purchases at the selected building in little Rock,Arkansas

* $500,000 for training

* AEDC will provide assistance in the form of a letter of support from AEDC for Tianyuan’s applications for 20 work visas for Tianyuan’s employees

* PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) Agreement with Little Rock and Pulaski County to abate up to 65% of property taxes

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UPDATE: Here’s an article about how Adidas, a German company, was hoping to move shoe production closer to customers through robotics.

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