Dr. Alan C. Bates State Senator District 3

Oregon legislative assembly

Peter Buckley State Representative District 5

News Release

February 23, 2010

Contact:          Holly East (Bates)       Andrew Ainsworth (Buckley)

(503) 986-1703           (503) 986-1405

Bill benefiting growing Southern Oregon business clears final legislative hurdle

Barefoot Motors of Ashland guaranteed access to BETC manufacturing credit thanks to efforts of Bates, Buckley

SALEM—Senator Alan Bates (D-Ashland) and Representative Peter Buckley (D-Ashland) hailed the final passage today of HB 3680-B, a bill extending access to Oregon’s Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) to electric vehicle manufacturers. Contained within the bill is a provision championed by the duo that expressly ensures that manufacturers of electric all terrain vehicles are eligible for the up to $2.5 million per year in tax credits. Ashland’s Barefoot Motors, a pioneer in electric ATV development, stands to benefit greatly from this provision.

The BETC was created to spur job growth in sustainable industries, making Barefoot Motors a prime candidate for the credits. Barefoot’s locally-built, zero-emission ATVs replace foreign-made equipment harmful to the environment and are used in a wide variety of applications, most notably in farming and land maintenance. The BETC is important to the maturation of this infant industry, an industry that looks to play a large role in the region’s economy in the future.

“This Legislature has focused on job creation since day one,” said Senator Bates, “and the BETC is an important component of these efforts. Barefoot Motors is an innovative company whose impact on Southern Oregon’s economy will only grow, making these credits a wise investment on the part of the state.”

Senator Bates’ support was critical to the inclusion of the electric ATV provision in the final version of the bill. Bates appeared before the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee last week to guarantee Barefoot Motors was not forgotten by a committee dominated by Willamette Valley legislators.

“I am so thankful to Senator Bates for seeing this bill through to the end,” said Buckley. “Because of his tireless work on this issue, both Barefoot Motors and the region stand to benefit well into the future.”

HB 3680-B now awaits the Governor’s signature.

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