Lawmakers try to lure world's largest wind turbine maker

Minn. state lawmakers are proposing an incentive package aimed at luring the world's largest manufacturer of wind turbines to Minnesota.

Denmark-based Vestas is planning to build a U.S. research and development center, which would be housed at a major university. The facility would open in 2009.

DFL Rep. Jeremy Kalin of Lindstrom, Minn., says after passing a major bill last year Minn. now leads the nation in energy policy.

Kalin says there are now companies willing to invest billions of dollars in the state's new energy economy.

"This Vestas research and development center that will bring 80 high end research jobs, engineering jobs, to the Twin Cities and to the state of Minnesota is the stake in the ground that we need to invest in that new generate, to stimulate tomorrow's economy," says Kalin.

DFL leaders say they have not yet decided what incentives they'll include in a package. But they say tax breaks and support in the state bonding bill are possible options.

Minnesota is competing with other several states to attract the Vestas project.

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