"Several Western governors are hustling to persuade
Nike Inc. to expand outside Oregon, with the strongest
pitches apparently coming from" NV and NM, according to Jim
Lynch of the Portland OREGONIAN. Economic recruiters say
that Nike has expressed "some interest in acquiring hundreds
of acres outside Albuquerque, or near Lake Tahoe. Nike
spokesperson Lee Weinstein said that it is "too soon to
discuss specific locations," but added that Nike "is
interested in building a corporate office complex and light
manufacturing plant elsewhere." Weinstein said that
possibilities include NV, NM, CO, AZ, ID and WA as well as
British Columbia. Weinstein: "Right now what we're doing is
collecting preliminary information. It's very premature."
Nike officials are scheduled to fly to Gardnerville, NV, in
August to examine that location and former NM Gov. David
Cargo said that it "appears" Nike wants to build a
production plant in Rio Rancho, NM, a tax-break "haven" for
manufacturing companies. NM Gov. Gary Johnson would not
comment, saying only through a spokesperson that, "Nike has
spoken to New Mexico officials, including the governor,
about their interests" (Portland OREGONIAN, 7/31). In
Denver, Weinstein tells Lisa Greim that CO and four other
undisclosed states have made "the early cut," which was
based on tax reasons (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 8/1).
