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Rick Perry Celebrates GM’s Commitment to Texas

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Rick Perry celebrate's GM's commitment to Texas

Rick Perry visited the Arlington Assembly Plant to, uh, do work. Hard work, as you can see.

Rick Perry, Texas’ current state governor and former presidential hopeful, recently headed over to General Motors’ Arlington Assembly Plant to join up with plant manager, Paul Graham, to celebrate GM’s commitment to Texas over the last 60 years. Specifically, the two men toasted to the full-size SUVs from the Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac lineups being built at the factory.

“General Motors has a rich heritage in Texas, building award-winning vehicles since 1954 and these new vehicles are no exception,” Graham commented. “Our hard-working team at the plant is energized that customers love our products.”


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Governor Perry added, “In Texas, we realize that jobs mean more than just a paycheck, they mean more opportunities to grow, better lives for families and lifelong friendships formed over the years,” said Perry. “That’s the point of everything we do in Texas, freeing employers of all sizes to succeed so they can create quality jobs to lift individuals, families and entire communities to greater heights.”

Rick Perry thanks workers for GM’s Commitment to Texas.

Rick Perry thanks workers for GM’s Commitment to Texas.

Although General Motors has been in Texas for 50 years, the facility is in constant need of investments. GM’s most recent investment was over $500 million at the Arlington plant to prepare for the manufacturing of the full-size SUVs that claim 75 percent of the market in their segment.

To mark the launch of these vehicles and to reward GM’s commitment to Texas, Governor Perry provided several GM Foundation grants that totaled $56,000 to five local nonprofits: United Way of Tarrant County ($25,000), the Arlington ISD – Teacher Grants ($10,000), the Community Food Bacnk of Fort Worth ($7,000), the Junior Achievement of the Chisolm Trail ($7,000), and, finally, Parents Step Ahead ($7,000). The grants were given out as part of the annual Plant City Grants program.

“Through the Plant City Grants program, the GM Foundation this year will provide more than $1.7 million to 209 organizations in 45 plant cities,” said GM Foundation President Vivian Pickard. “The grants are given to organizations that provide much-needed services to help improve the quality of life within the communities where GM employees live and work.”


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Governor Perry also took the time to honor four GM employees who have been with the facility for 50 years or more.