SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Nike wants to expand its Oregon operations but wants the government to promise it won’t change the state tax code.
Gov. John Kitzhaber (KIHTS’-hah-bur) says he’ll call the Legislature into session Friday to create a law to give Nike its wish.
The governor did not release information about the company’s expansion plans. But a company fact sheet says the $440 million project would create 2,900 construction jobs with an economic impact of $2 billion a year. It says the expansion would create 12,000 jobs directly or indirectly but doesn’t say how many would be Nike employees.
Nike Inc. has its headquarters in Beaverton, outside Portland. Company officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Kitzhaber says Nike needed certainty before next month’s regular legislative session. Other states are wooing it.
