2017 Republican gubernatorial nominee Ed Gillespie today issued the following statement after news reports indicated that Tranlin Inc. is unable to repay millions in incentives given to it by the McAuliffe-Northam Administration, likely costing taxpayers over one million dollars and meaning Virginia will miss out on 2,000 jobs associated with the project. The company has failed to meet investment and job commitments it made in 2014 while Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam was a member of the board of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Northam missed 58 percent of VEDP board meetings during that time.
“Virginians work too hard to have their dollars squandered away on economic development promises that are never fulfilled. This is the second major deal that has fallen through during the McAuliffe-Northam Administration, resulting in taxpayers losing millions of dollars, and the Commonwealth missing out on thousands of jobs. While these deals were falling apart, Ralph Northam exercised little oversight, skipping nearly 60 percent of all VEDP meetings. Now Virginians are left holding the bag due to the McAuliffe-Northam administration’s sloppy, irresponsible approach to economic development. Virginians deserve more from their elected leaders. I have a plan to foster natural, organic growth and increase job creation by 25 percent. That’s what Virginians need from our next governor. ”
###