President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act has led to a $2.5 billion investment by Qcells in Dalton, Georgia, aimed at creating 2,500 solar manufacturing jobs, but it hasn't increased his local support.
Michelle Fleury reports for BBC.
In short:
- The Korean company Qcells is expanding its solar panel factory in Dalton, Georgia, bringing 2,500 new jobs to the area within a year.
- The investment has been possible thanks to the tax cuts included in Biden's 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, which provides significant incentives for clean energy projects.
- According to industry representatives, the IRA has resulted in more investment in the past two years in solar and clean energy manufacturing than the previous 20 years.
- Despite the economic benefits, local sentiment remains skeptical, with some residents and businesses resenting the foreign investment.
Key quote:
“The business community resents the fact that we have a company from South Korea coming in this area with government subsidies, while they themselves get nothing from the government.”
— Jan Pourquoi, spokesperson for the local Whitfield County Democratic Party.
Why this matters:
For many in Dalton, the promise of new jobs is tempered by uncertainty about the longevity and stability of the solar industry. In addition, President Biden's broader policies, though beneficial in terms of economic incentives and environmental impact, face resistance from a population that may not see immediate benefits in their daily lives.
