This 2009 German TV video (link) captures the March 3, 2008, groundbreaking for Schott Solar’s Albuquerque plant.  It  features former Gov. Bill Richardson and Native American dancers:

These were the early, halcyon days of Bill Richardson’s “Solar Valley”  dream–before one solar company after another that received public funds cratered and left the state or simply never got off the ground.  In this separate  interview (link) with Schott Solar’s PR people, Richardson predicts that New Mexico will have 236,800 solar industry jobs by 2030.  A press release from Richardson’s Economic Development Department reiterated Schott’s long-range plans to employ 1,500 New Mexicans in an 800,000 square foot plant.

Two years later Richardson at Schott’s headquarters signed his Executive Order establishing his Solar Valley initiative.   Said Richardson in his interview with Schott’s PR team for the occasion, “SCHOTT Solar represents New Mexico’s solar future. We felt that having the “Green Jobs Cabinet Executive Order” signing ceremony on site was a great way to celebrate our partnership. SCHOTT encapsulates so much of what we are looking to accomplish in the spirit of the executive order: a strong workforce, dedicated leadership and a successful business model.”

Here’s Schott’s press release on Richardson announcing Solar Valley New Mexico at their HQ.

Richardson touted Schott on CNN the same day (transcript).

Now Schott Solar joins the exodus and leaves hundreds of laid off workers behind.  KOB-TV 4 of Albuquerque has revealed that Bill Richardson’s administration insisted–insisted–on waiving clawback provisions for the State’s $16 million investment in Schott’s Albuquerque Mesa del Sol plant.  Current Gov. Susana Martinez is infuriated that Richardson, in her words, “gave taxpayer’s money away,” as reported in an interview by Capitol Report’s Rob Nikolewski.