OPPJ Will Try to Split the Baby Monday Night

The Ouachita Parish Police Jury (OPPJ) will attempt to split the baby at Monday night’s meeting. The jury will consider a letter of support for V-Vehicle’s Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing (ATVM) Program loan. Last March, the company was denied approval for $320 million in loans, but plans to reapply, according to company officials.

Here is the agenda.

Last month, the jury voted to refund property taxes collected that were to be given to the company. Deadline for the refund is June 9. The motion stipulated that the refunds would proceed unless VVC obtained approval of the loan or other suitable financing prior to the refund date.

Over the past few days, there has been renewed interest in the company since they revealed a prototype to politicians and select members of the media. However, no information has been forthcoming from the company on how it plans to raise additional private capital or how it plans to market and distribute the car. Reportedly, these were the sticking points on why the DOE loan was denied.

For now, it appears the company plans to focus on selling to the politicians, since that seems to be the easiest path to funding for the project. This is logical, since the politicians aren’t putting their own money at risk, only that money which comes from taxpayers.