I normally abhor these kind of practices as little more than corporate welfare, especially in the light its painted here as a near "shakedown". However, my membership in the cult of Musk is becoming readily apparent to myself, as I find I am quick to coming to his defense throughout the article. Perhaps though there is some room for a grey area when it comes to corporate tax breaks and handouts, as I truly feel that some businesses more than others contribute more "societal good" than solely through employment. Hopefully though, as the economy improves we will see fewer governments willing to go so far to please corporations, whether I personally like them or not.
Lol. 1) He can sell batteries to anyone. They're panasonic batteries, which Honda also uses. Using American batteries would substantially increase the domestic content for any company's hybrid vehicles which lowers the tariffs. Tesla could stop making cars entirely and still profit from this. 2) Battery manufacturing is already highly automated. Those jobs are short-term at best. 10 years from now that factory will employ 15-20% the workforce it'll have in 2017. Might as well call the place Nuevo Laughlin. 3) Damn, though. Don't bet against Tesla.