Senators Say Incentive Legislation Pays Off in Expansion of Lawton, Ardmore Tire Plants

Sen. Crutchfield says Michelin investment will quadruple as a result of legislation approved in 2002.

Oklahoma State Senate Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 30 For Immediate Release: March 3, 2003 Clip Senators Say Incentive Legislation Pays Off
in Expansion of Lawton, Ardmore Tire Plants Oklahoma City Legislation passed last year to help two Oklahoma tire manufacturing facilities expand their operations is already paying dividends in Ardmore and Lawton. Michelin North American Inc. announced Friday its intentions to invest 200 million in its Ardmore tire plant. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company began a 20 million expansion project in Lawton last year. We know its very important for the Legislature to take the steps necessary to create incentives for expansion of the manufacturing facilities that are already here in Oklahoma, said Senator Jim Maddox, DLawton. These two plants are proof that programs like this work. The financial incentives were included in House Bill 22, passed by the Oklahoma Legislature in 2002. Under the legislation, Michelin is eligible to receive approximately 2 million in financial incentives from the state and Goodyear will receive approximately 3 million. Maddox and Senator Sam Helton, DLawton, were Senate authors of the measure, along with Senator Johnnie Crutchfield, DArdmore. The Ardmore Michelin plant is the largest employer in Crutchfields southern Oklahoma district with more than ,00 workers. The company had originally planned to spend million to expand the facility. Due to the incentives included in HB 22, Michelin nearly quadrupled that amount, Crutchfield said. The legislation has proven already to be a tremendous economic development tool. The plant could eventually add another 0 jobs. This expansion will ensure the viability of that facility for the next 20 years, said Crutchfield, DArdmore. That translates into job security for many of his constituents and economic stability for the region, he said. Now more than ever it is important that we look at policies that can help kickstart our local economies. In the long run thats going to benefit the entire state. This latest development shows were on the right track, Helton said.

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