ARIZONA: Republican Gov Flip-Flops On Nike Plant

NBC News reports:



Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is ready to just do it: Change his mind and welcome Nike with open arms. Ducey initially tweeted last week that he was ordering the state’s commerce authority to “withdraw all financial incentive dollars” for Nike to build a plant in the city of Goodyear.

His decision followed the sneaker company’s announcement that it would not produce a new Fourth of July shoe featuring Betsy Ross’ flag for the 13 American colonies after former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick reportedly expressed concern over its historic representation of the nation’s racist legacy.

But Ducey has now suggested a change of heart after Nike said Thursday in a news release that its Nike Air Manufacturing Innovation facility would generate more than 500 full-time jobs and result in an investment of at least $184 million in Goodyear. Hiring “will begin immediately,” the company added.