Op-Ed: Why Are Tennesseans Subsidizing Ford Motor Co.?

Image Credit: Ford Corporate

By Tom Rowland –

Since the Blue Oval City project came to light, there have been many questions raised about the wisdom of our state leaders engaging in this project. When leadership is challenged, the public refrain is typically “it’s about the jobs.” The companion refrain involving other public topics is often – “it’s for the children.” 

Valid concerns were raised about the Blue Oval City deal that went unanswered. Among them, “Is Ford aligning itself with Tennessee values?” Or, “is Tennessee going to align itself with Ford’s values?” – The latter seems more likely.

News just broke that Ford has copped a plea with 40 state’s Attorneys General regarding false and misleading advertising about some models’ fuel efficiency and hauling capacity. Tennessee’s share of the $19.2 million settlement amounts to $317,000.

Time will tell if Ford’s values align with Tennessee’s, but lying is a value that Tennesseans of all stripes should reject.

*** Click Here to Support Conservative Journalism in Tennessee. We can’t bring you great Editorials like this without your support!***

So now, what to do with the settlement money?

$317,000 is not a huge sum. But since Tennessee taxpayers are already on the hook for $900 million with the Blue Oval City project, why not allocate the settlement funds towards this “deal”?

Although small in comparison to the project’s total, it does lessen what the taxpayer is on the hook for. Maybe more importantly, it feels good to use some of Ford’s own money to help fund Ford’s project. In the end, projects like these should be fully in the domain of the private capital sector.

Taxpayers shouldn’t be placed at risk for the costs and obligations of global corporate giants like Ford. Or for that matter, uber-wealthy families like the Strunks and Adams, for whom Tennesseans and Nashvillians look to soon be on the hook for the Nissan Stadium redevelopment.   

About the Author: Tom is a retired husband, father and grandfather. He got a sweet taste of Tennessee years ago via a corporate job transfer to Nashville. Recently relocated back to Nashville, from the gulag known as Illinois, he brought most of his family back to Tennessee with him. He and his wife Cindy spend their time investing in their children and grandchildren’s lives, and serving at their church and several faith-based nonprofits in Nashville.