Jacksonville, Fl — Chinese solar manufacturer JinkoSolar on Jacksonville’s westside is under federal investigation. Homeland Security Investigations was on scene for hours throughout Monday afternoon at the company’s facility in the Cecil Commerce Center.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is the federal agency in charge of investigating crimes related to customs and tariffs.
An employee who wishes to remain anonymous told Action News Jax that agents seized laptops and servers.
The investigation comes on the eve of Jacksonville City Council consideration of a tax incentive plan that would see JinkoSolar expand by 250 full-time employees.
It’s not clear how the investigation may impact the economic development agreement - which was introduced by Mayor Lenny Curry on April 25th.
According to the bill summary, a Recapture Enhanced Value (REV) grant of up to $2.3 million would be overseen by the Office of Economic Development.
Curry sought fast-track approval, which means only one committee cycle was requested, and the bill was approved unanimously by the Council Finance Committee on May 2nd.
BACKGROUND: JinkoSolar opens first US plant in Jacksonville
JinkoSolar opened its manufacturing plant at Cecil Commerce Center in 2018 amid much fanfare, and currently employs 274 workers.
The company is proposing to expand its facility at a cost of $52 million, according to the bill summary.
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