Obama-Backing Billionaire's Charity Sought Solyndra in Tulsa
(Updates with comments on obtaining federal aid for Tulsa and Oklahoma in two paragraphs after Winning subheading.)
Sept. 26 (Bloomberg) -- George B. Kaiser, a billionaire oilman whose foundation has the biggest stake in failed solar- panel maker Solyndra LLC, might have had more than money tied up in the venture.
He may also have been angling to bring jobs to his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
A bankruptcy filing Sept. 6 by the Fremont, California- based company, which had a $535 million U.S. loan guarantee, has spurred inquiries from Republicans in Congress who say President Barack Obama’s administration may have rushed the support in part because of Kaiser, a campaign donor.
Kaiser, 69, hasn’t commented on his family foundation’s involvement with Solyndra or the controversy created by its collapse, which may leave taxpayers on the hook for as much as $528 million. Some clues can be found in the hometown of the oil and banking executive with a passion for alternative energy, early childhood education and, especially, helping Tulsa.
A Solyndra regulatory filing suggests the $340 million invested in the company was viewed by the charity partly as a way to bring jobs to a city where Kaiser’s wealth has underwritten projects from parks to preschools. The company said that following a July 2009 financing involving Kaiser foundation funds, it agreed to give preference to Tulsa for a new factory.
Providing Tulsa Jobs
“George saw Solyndra as an investment and as something that could provide jobs in Tulsa,” said Mayor Dewey Bartlett, a Republican who said he learned from Kaiser last year of Solyndra’s potential expansion in his city. “He’s the best thing that’s happened to Tulsa.”
Kaiser wanted Solyndra to put a plant in the city’s economically ailing north side, Bartlett said. The $4 billion George Kaiser Family Foundation helped start the National Energy Policy Institute, based at the University of Tulsa, to promote U.S. energy independence. The oilman also has spoken out publicly both to urge support for alternative power sources and ending tax breaks for fossil-fuel producers.
The Alternative Path Tulsa Ok - News
(Updates with comments on obtaining federal aid for Tulsa and Oklahoma in two paragraphs after Winning subheading.) Sept. 26 (Bloomberg) -- George B. Kaiser, a billionaire oilman whose foundation has the biggest
US Highland (OTC.BB: UHLN.PK) President & CEO Interviewed by ...
Visit this company: www.ushighland.com
TULSA, Okla. – October 21, 2011 (Investorideas.com Newswire) – US Highland (UHLN) announced today that its President CEO, John Fitzpatrick, was interviewed by Ray Tuttle of Oklahoma’s premier business daily newspaper, The Journal Record. Since 1903, The Journal Record Publishing Co. has specialized in business, legislative and legal-related information sources. The Journal Record newspaper is an award-winning daily general business and legal newspaper focusing on local business trends and in-depth stories that portray the voice of the Oklahoma City and Tulsa business communities.
“We are very pleased to be featured in this great publication,” stated Mr. Fitzpatrick. “It is a great place for us to begin our journey,” Mr. Fitzpatrick continued. “Tulsa, Oklahoma is the perfect place to restart this great company. Tulsa is strategically located in the Heartland of America and its rich manufacturing heritage coupled with a reasonable cost of living make it a premier environment to grow this exciting new business.”
“We are bringing together some of the great minds in the motorcycle industry,” stated Rob Harris, Chairman of the US Highland Board of Directors. “I am looking forward to introducing the members of the new senior leadership of US Highland,” Mr. Harris continued.
US Highland is gearing up to begin operations in early 2012 after it completes a comprehensive technology assessment and prioritizes the opportunities that are on its doorstep. “There are several large opportunities that have surfaced over the past several weeks and we are excited to begin putting an aggressive plan together that will allow us to take advantage of them in an effective manner,” concluded Mr. Fitzpatrick.
For additional information concerning US Highland, Inc. visit www.ushighland.com .
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