NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Governor Phil Bredesen talked about the meeting he had with General Motors leaders on Wednesday. He said it appeared less likely the Spring Hill plant will build the Chevy Spark.
Bredesen, along with several U.S. Senators from Tennessee were in Washington, D.C., trying to convince GM to build their new car at the Spring Hill plant.
The Governor said he was surprised by what they told him. GM was requesting several hundred million dollars up front, as an incentive for them to expand the Spring Hill plant.
"The only one they want to know is how much cash can we put up front, we don't care about tax credits, we don't care about any of those other things, we want to know how large of a check are you going to write on the front-end," said Bredesen.
Bredesen said in the bad budget situation, there was no way they can pony-up the cash to pay General Motors.
He said he had not given up on the situation, but it diminishes the chances of GM staying in Spring Hill, especially if the two other possible locations can give GM what they want.
GM is expected to make a final announcement on where the new car will be built at the end of the month.
