(Aug. 16, 2009) -- Following-up on a story first reported by LBReport.com, the president of the electric car company Tesla Motors, Elon Musk, says he feels the City of LB has done less than other cities in trying to attract his company...that he says could bring 1,000 - 1,200 new jobs to LB at the Boeing site (NE quadrant Lakewood Blvd/Conant St.)
Website screen save: www.teslamotors.com
In a Sunday evening (Aug. 16) telephone interview -- to which LBReport.com provides extended on-demand audio access below -- Mr. Musk said his company's decision has now come down to two cities...one of which is Long Beach.
He said Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske was "the first and only call" to him personally and confirmed her internet journal (blog) dispatch to the effect that his company's staff came away from meetings with other Long Beach officials "thinking that Long Beach actually didn't really want us there and would much prefer the movie studio" ["Long Beach Studios," no finalized deal yet, a story also first reported by LBReport.com last year].
Tesla president Musk said the decision on whether to locate in Long Beach or in another nearby city will be "a very close call" (currently anticipated in late August or early September) but "if the behavior of city management and the Mayor were the deciding factor, Long Beach would definitely not win." He quickly added that "it may not be the deciding factor but...I really think it would make sense for the City in this economy to be working pretty hard to try to get a company like Tesla to be there..."
Could matters be resolved by Mayor Foster phoning him, we asked? "That would be a good start," Mr. Musk replied.
To hear extended audio of LBReport.com's conversation with TESLA president Elon Musk, click here. (MP3, 9:17)
