Posted by
One of York on Saturday, January 10, 2009 5:59:07 PM
[ Proposal Letter Reshaping NY State's Subsidy for AMD Chip Fab Plant ]
Albert P. Carey, President and CEO
Frito-Lay North America
7701 Legacy Drive
Plano, Texas 75024
Dear Mr. Carey,
I would like to make a proposal for Frito Lay to consider. Please bear with me as I 'Lays' the ground work.
If your not aware, New York State is offering upwards of a 1.2 Billion dollar subsidy for a chip fabrication plant to be located in Saratoga New York. We the citizens of New York are led to believe this is an effort to bring new jobs to the State provided by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).
"In return for that shocking subsidy, AMD agreed to create about 1,200 jobs. Do the math: That's a cost to the state of more than $1 million a job." -NY Post
The State has been in lengthy discussions with AMD about a prospective chip plant and AMD has for a long time waffled. There is concern that the useful life of the chip plant is ten years typically and the subsidy would amount to $100,000 per year, that's per AMD job.
Many taxpayers, rightly so, are troubled by the fact that AMD has shed over 25% of it’s work force in 2008 and AMD stock has lost roughly 70% of it’s value in the last 12 months. Not to mention the fact that the majority ownership in AMD is now held in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi. And, the incentives have now been transfered to the AMD spinoff: "The Foundry Co. backed by the Advanced Technology Investment Co. of Abu Dhabi and Mubadala Investment, an investment arm of the Abu Dhabi government."
Simply, one might ask why a 1.2 Billion dollar subsidy would be extended to a corporation with a 1.6 Billion dollar market capitalization?
Note that this is not an effort to run down AMD, which is currently in a price war. It is what it is.
While business continues to leave the state, and, organic growth has become largely an outmoded concept given tax and regulatory policy -the citizen is left to wonder what the next niche industry might cost?
Frankly, if this deal goes through, it looks as if the New York State tax payer is 'Toastitos'.
First, let me say, as we all know: “Frito-Lay is the undisputed chip champ of North America.” Further, the products of Frito Lay and that of your parent company Pepsico Inc. are American icons.
Having stated that above, my proposal is simple. I’d like to call it the Frito Rule, but we can call it something else if you insist. Anyway, the classic Frito chip is unique in that it has four sides -think Frito Factor equal to 4; and, Frito Ratio equal to one fourth.
Here goes... We suggest Frito Lay seek to construct a chip fabrication plant in Saratoga New York. Frito Lay would receive one fourth of the AMD subsidy, or roughly 300 million dollars, furnished by the State of New York. In exchange, Frito Lay must create four times the jobs that AMD is proposing. And, one fourth of those jobs must be in food science, product testing, or otherwise technically skilled –surely this is part of the work force at your current snack chip plants.
Lest we forget, the potato chip was invented right here in Saratoga New York by George Crum in 1853. This represents a rich marketing opportunity.
The benefits are not only in the form of incentives mentioned above, this is also a green initiative. Note that Railex USA operates what is commonly referred to as “the produce train” between Wallula, Washington and Rotterdam, New York. Rotterdam is approximately 20 miles from the proposed site in Luther Forest and a railroad spur to the site may be feasible. Or, the chip plant might be located in Rotterdam as the surrounding area actually needs economic development, better yet!
Back to the railroad, there are actually two trains per week crossing the country in five days carrying produce from the West to the East. It is likely the backhaul (the return trip) capacity is under utilized. This backhaul might serve as a backbone of distribution supplying the entire western United States with Frito Lay products. As the recent advertising would suggest, the railroad could move one ton of ‘Sun Chips’ 436 miles on one gallon of diesel fuel.
Now you may have a very real concern about the reputation of a few New York politicians. Indeed, we’re tempted to call them 'Cheatos'. For that reason we suggest this proposal be presented to the public directly, thereby avoiding the circumstances that facilitate moral hazard.
Ultimately, it appears the State is set on subsidizing a new employer at the site. In the spirit of foregone conclusions, as opposed principle, we must endeavor to reshape this subsidy. As you know, a majority of New Yorkers enjoy (value) Frito Lay products often, if not on occasion. The suggestion that a value judgment between AMD chips and Frito Lay chips by the few legislators is appropriate, represents exactly the type of central planning that has saddled the citizens of New York with the current deal.
Please note I am seeking nothing for myself. I am, however, available for product testing on a work at home basis. I’d like to specialize in the 'Cool Ranch Dorito', with which I have some experience already. Hey, we can talk.
Thank You for your consideration,
Citizens_of_NY@live.com
PS: Would Frito Lay consider adding a chip branded as “the Bruno” if it would close the deal? Give it some thought, and I'll explain later.
cc: Ms. Indra K. Nooyi, Chairman/CEO - Pepsico, Inc.