O'Malley: White Marsh GM Plant 'Evidence' of Recovery
Federal, state and county officials toured the General Motors Baltimore Operations complex on Wednesday.
Photos
Government officials caught a first-hand look at General Motors Baltimore Operations' planned expansion and use of new technology Wednesday morning.
Gov. Martin O'Malley said the plant, located along Philadelphia Road in White Marsh, represents a resurgence in American manufacturing.
"It's irrefutable evidence and it's a story that everybody gets and everybody understands," O'Malley told Patch. "The American auto industry, including GM, were in the tank a few years ago. Together as a country, we've been able to turn that around. Now GM is No. 1."
O'Malley said the corporation's turnaround would not have been possible without funding from state and federal government. "None of this would have happened of we had let GM go bankrupt," he said.
The facility's total new project investment comes to about $244 million. GM is investing about $129 million, the federal government is investing $105 million and county and state governments are contributing more than $10 million, according to company and government news releases.
Christian S. Johansson, secretary of the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development, said investments in manufacturing deliver a major benefit to local economies.
"Not all industries are created equal," Johansson said. "The impact is much more than the people who are working here. People are needed to supply these parts. If you have a law firm, that's great—you have high paying jobs, but you don't get the ripple effect in terms of what needs to be supplied to them in order to function."
The plant currently employs 220 people, with about 200 more jobs expected with the addition of an electric motor plant, scheduled to open in 2013.
The plant currently generates an estimated $18 million in wages, $3.7 million in payroll taxes and $520,000 in property taxes annually, according to a company document.
"We're happy with a facility like this. Even though it isn't a huge employer, it has the potential to become an even larger employer and manufacturer ... it looks promising," Kamenetz told Patch.
John Peasland, a Perry Hall resident who works as a facility manager, said the plant's positive impact stays local.
"A lot of us live right around here and we're putting money back into the economy," Peasland said. "One of our projects just came back from Mexico, so we're definitely bringing jobs back."
Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis also participated in the tour with the governor, as well as Maryland Secretary of Labor Alexander Sanchez, County Councilwoman Cathy Bevins and GM plant manager William Tiger.
Do you think the government's investment into GM is worth the expected returns? Tell us why or why not in the comments.
Kris
2:59 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
I can't stand this guy. Any progress our economy makes will be offset by OWEmalley taxing us all to death. No wonder so many people are fleeing the state. Any so-called Irish American that taxes alcohol should be deported.
Tim
3:19 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
LOL yeah, because the 4% of the total cost of the factory he invested in this project is crippling.
Hate on Owe'Malley if you want (I'm not a fan) but criticizing this individual decision to spend 10 million is just ignorant, to be polite.
Tim
3:20 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
I have actually gotten my popcorn and beer out waiting for the Obama hate on this, actually. It's a bit (okay, a lot!) more difficult to justify the 100 million dollar federal subsidy.
Paul Amirault
3:36 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
)))-------------> We could talk about subsidies all day long. The direct cash payments and then the harder ones to find in the tax code (individual & business). All paid for by those with a lot of money to lobby those we keep putting back in office.
Neil B
8:06 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
O'Malley has to pay back the unions somehow for his campaign funds. 10 million doesn't seem like a lot though. Investing in GM is wasting money in the long run but he can add to his fake figure of jobs created or saved.
Honeygo Hal
5:04 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
I'll take my turn and change the target.
Kevin Kamenetz probably only visits his office to get his paycheck and get the schedule for his photo ops. I'm definitely not a fan.
Paul W. Faya
5:43 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
OMG! We should have let GM and Chrysler die. It would have been so good to have millions of people loose their jobs!!!
amdactivist
7:09 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Paul..The tax $$ to bail out these companies only compensated their ceo's.. They made millions in bonus's.. It did not help the companies. Look at all the companies obama bailed out 2 & 3 years ago that have filed bankrupcy or just folded. Look at what omalley spent part of his stimulus on.. and you got to wonder what went into their own pockets..
This Charlie brown dive of a cut rate and restaurant even received a $1.1 million government-backed loan under the American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA)—the so-called “stimulus money.”
http://citypaper.com/news/following-the-money-1.1080499
Neil B
8:08 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
The government should not be in the car business that is for sure.
Neal Baker
11:22 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
So GM makes record profits and are giving profit sharing to employees. What does the tax payer get?
Neil B
11:28 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
I am not sure what the employees got? I just read they froze their wages and cut their pension of all the non union workers. This is only a payoff to the unions. GM still has 8.1 billion in unfunded pension payouts. This whole thing stinks.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500395_162-57378543/gm-plans-to-freeze-salaried-workers-pensions/
johnny B
6:21 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Althought I am glad to see jobs added. The green jobs being added at GM Baltimore will be low paying, roughly between $12 to $13 per hour. I read the small print.
David Marks
6:46 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
I sure would have liked an invitation from Governor O'Malley's office as a County Councilman who represents workers in this area, and whose district is across the street from this plant.
Greg Redmer
7:05 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
They seem to do a photo-op tour of that plant at least once a year...maybe next time. :)
Honeygo Hal
7:19 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Rumor is the Conty Executive blocked your invitation, invoking the "blocking the spotlight" rule :-)
Tim
11:11 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Yeah David, you sure got the shaft on that this one!
amdactivist
7:11 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
David Marks. Your best not to associate with them. They can't lie to you and get away with it. Don't join any click and stand on your own and not adhere to political favors. Like "if you vote with me on this.. I'll vote on these 2 for you".. you and others work for the citizens not each other.. political favors are called corrupt..
Neal Baker
11:23 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
It would take too much effort to get the stench off you. Best stay downwind of those two.
YouHelpFixIt
6:47 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
GM did go into bankruptcy.
Paul Amirault
7:45 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
True. But the rest of the story is in a normal Capter 11 bankruptcy, the creditors are put off while a plan is developed with the creditor's committee and Judge. Normally the company filing bankruptcy has this well planned in advance with new financing in place so business can continue uninterrupted. Problem was for GM and Chrysler there was nobody willing to lend them anything. So Uncle Sam stepped in.
Neil B
8:15 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
They should not have stepped in is the problem. Government still owns 60% of the shares. Even worse they are forcing them to make cars no body wants (Volt).
Tim
10:55 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
but yet it was a Republican president who bailed them out. Fun stuff.
Neil B
10:58 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
It was a republican that gave them the original 17 billion. Obama doubled down by buying a 60% stake in the company. A much larger bailout then the original 17 billion. I don't support either. But to continue to blame bush for everything is sort of lame.
Paul Amirault
2:33 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
They are the number 1 carmaker in the world again.
amdactivist
7:02 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
omally had lost more then 3000 business because of his added 8.5% corporate tax on them not counting all the other fees,licenses etc needed to operate a business. His tax on the rich that matches obama's theory doesn't work. Many are mom and pop business's and no way in hell they can continue on paying these taxes. Its sad because omalley has ruined a once beautiful state into a sanctuary cess pool of corruption which include his New americans that taxpayers are forced to support to a tune of $2billion a year. Md is now #2 in food stamp fraud and #48 in job creation. He lies like hell and his followers are dwindling..Many die hard democrats are rethinking their political affiliation...
Doug
7:07 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
OweMalley ought to be explaining to the citizens of Maryland why he has increased spending in this state 18% in the last five years, instead of making silly photo Ops.
Paul Amirault
2:36 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
If you want to be partisan it is easy. Errorlich increased spending 26% in his 4 years. The name calling is silly, don't you think?
Doug
2:40 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
And Erlich left office with a nice surplus while doing it. What happened to that?
Paul Amirault
2:47 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
So spend and tax like a fool when enjoying a robust economy, leave a structural deficit for the next guy is okay with you?
Doug
2:52 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
More like fiscal responsibilty. O'Malley increased spending 18%, without spending any on transportation, and the state is deep in the hole. After increasing the slaes tax 20%, he now says we need that large gas tax increase for roads and transportation.
David Marks
7:18 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Tim, no worries. By the way, Comptroller Franchot has been very gracious in inviting elected officials of both parties to events.
Scott Sewell
7:19 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
I have a fishing guide business. I wonder if I could get a million $$ federal subsidy so that I can buy a new boat and hire a couple of helpers? Probably not.
Paul Amirault
2:37 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
If you can play into studying an endangered fish, maybe.
amdactivist
7:28 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Franchot has been a flea for omally,miller and Busch forever.. Now he's running for Governor he's trying to pacify the citizens of Md finally. His spending habits are outrageous which includes omalley and Knopp *spelling*.. As comptroller he ruined our state and we now have a huge deficit..Now they all throwing more taxes, fines, fees, tolls etc on the taxpayers so they show a surplus when they move on to higher ground. Of course Franchot will say one thing and do another. Pandering for votes we will not forget..
Kris
8:03 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Tim, I wasnt even speaking about the specifics of this article regarding the GM plant. I could care less about this embarassment of a govenor's photo ops. I was just speaking of his tax everyone to death policy. He simply cant do his job well. If he tried to pull what he's doing now in an election year, he'd be laughed off the ballot. Now that he doesnt have to win anyone's vote, he's giving us all the shaft. Its disgraceful.
Tim
11:01 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Kris: If you want to generalize, okay, I'd agree. It's just every bad politician makes some good decisions (even if by accident). The inverse is true as well.
This investment is a brilliant/no-brainer for anyone who can bother to look at this objectively. Whether one likes it or not, electric cars are coming. Maybe 5 years, 10 years, or 20...but it's coming. Positioning ourselves with one of the first major factories right here in BC, at the cost specified to the state, is one of the biggest no brainers out there.
Neil B
11:03 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
God forbid the government let the free market work. These companies are going out of business because the government is telling them how to spend their money. Nobody is buying the electric cars. They are not ready.
amdactivist
8:33 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
As a very many year democrat I tried everything possible to inform the people of md of o'malley lies..Many die hard democrats vote by listening to lies and name recognition. Thats why the same ole crooks remain in office. . The true dixiecrats of yesteryear are gone. Now its lies, corruption and greed. They get into office with low bank accounts and leave millionaires.
Tim
11:03 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Funny, for many years I was a staunch Republican. They lie pretty well too. They also like to force their religious beliefs on you as well. They also leave office as millionaires too...and that's on top of sending our children into meaningless wars we can't win, or reducing taxes on the rich while bleeding the middle class dry. You know, "trickle down" economics. Something "trickles down" alright, but it's not money.
Doug
1:42 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Trickle up poverty, redistribution of wealth, and taxing the producers to support the non-producers certainly isn't the answer. Something trickles up alright. It's the dumbing down of America
Carol
9:01 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
You have that right many leave office with millions. I think we should control their pay check and also not let them be above the law. Maybe, just maybe that would make them work a little better for the ones they ARE SUPPOSE to working for. It seems Mr. Obama has done nothing for this Country except try to distroy it, him and Mr. Omally are two of a kind.
amdactivist
11:26 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Tim your right about electric cars. It is coming now or later but the issue is.. ;Will we be forced to buy them and given time periods and date we have to conform to them? Look at obamacare.. Is this a choice? Absolutely not and to force employers to pay for health insurance is a disaster waiting to happen.. Many will be bankrupt.. Most business's are mom and pop or small business..
Tracey
11:27 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
what I want to know is: Where is O'Malley's eye protection?
Tim
1:41 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
LOL!
Public Citizen
4:21 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
I TOTALLY AGREE. Where is the eye protection. Someone should alert the Maryland Occupation Safety & Health Administration.
Tom Bolander
6:13 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Eye Protection is a GM Must in the Plant.. The GM Tour Guide should get FIRED and the Violator should prohibited from setting foot in the Plant.. On the new addition it could get One 3 days off without pay or even fired !!!
amdactivist
11:30 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
tim in one instance you blame all.. Then another instance you blame republicans. I agree all are to blame but don't you agree the one in charge now has spent more $$ then all presidents combined and more bailouts? Did any of it work? Why did it take 3 years to pull troops out. Another obama promise gone sour. They all do.. Worst recession in years and more then $16trillion in debt.. Absurd.. We are paying for it one way or another and the obama has no problem vacationing several times a year to hawaii and other countries. I have to give it to bush on this issue. His vacations were mostly to camp david an hour or so away where he continued working..and he never took a christmas holiday til after christmas so the majority of his guards could spend christmas with family..
Tim
1:42 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
AMD: If your best argument for Bush is he took his vacation time in the country, then you do realize your argument is pretty weak...right?
amdactivist
2:09 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Tim, was my message taken like that? I have tons of more memorable issues regarding bush and a few not so good. The point i'm trying to make in clear english that Bush was always an officer. a gentleman and honorable compared to the illiterate pos that proverbs do as I say not as I do ..
Paul Amirault
2:48 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Bush and Cheney should get a job cleaning the tombstones for every life lost due to their attacking Iraq. Obama followed Bush's timetable for leaving Iraq. Obama should get a job cleaning tombstones for every life lost in Afghanistan that resulted from his surge after he leaves office.
What countries has Obama vacationed in? Your utter rage is simply amazing.
Neil B
3:10 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Why are we still in Afganistan? Do you supporting the carpet bombing of Libya was the right move? 25,000 civilians died. Obama has just as much blood on his hands. You wait we will be bombing Syria next. All the troops need to go home.
Paul Amirault
3:17 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Neil B, once OBL was dead I was all for leaving. I believe the answer is political, as you know when the call started coming to get out of Iraq, the term used was "cut and run". Even leaving Iraq the same clarion call was made for us not to leave.
Libya is a dilemma of a different kind. As you indicated many have died, the question that was faced how many would die with inaction? Tough call.
I indicated above Obama has blood on his hands.
I don't know if 100% isolation is the right move.
Tim
3:30 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Bush was honorable? Bush Sr? Yes.
GWB? Yeah, so honorable he decided that based on the deaths of 3000 people on September 11 it was a great idea to declare war on the Terrorist nation. You know, that nation called Terroristikanstan.
See, instead of intelligently handling the 9/11 tragedy with strategic implementation of the military at a fraction of the cost, he decided to implement military policies which caused this country to take on about 6 trillion or so of the debt we have today in one decade. Now, we have Homeland Security systematically taking our liberties piece by piece. I still refuse to fly these days.
So, instead, he simply declared unwinnable wars. For the cost of 3000 deaths on Sept 11, we took our country from a perfectly healthy debt to GDP ratio to the brink of financial stability. For the cost of 3000 deaths we’ve damaged hundreds of thousands more lives. Do you really think any of those who tragically died that day would have wanted this?
Only a fool implements this type of solution, and it was a fool I helped elect unfortunately.
The best part of all of this, is people mindlessly blame President Obama for half of Bush’s failures, because he inherited them all. It’s like blaming the firefighters for not putting out the house fire quickly enough to salvage your personal belongings, when it was your own stupidity that led to the blaze being ignited.
Tim
3:33 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Neil B: I completely agree. It's this World Police business that got us into this mess to begin with.
The one thing I'll give Pres Obama credit for, he refused to take a lead role in this. he forced Europe to do it. They incurred the lion's share of the costs.
Now, ultimately, I believe we should have stayed completely out of it...but in absence of that good sense solution, at least he stuck to his guns and forced the rest of the world - including other Arab nations - to do the heavy lifting for once.
Neil B
3:41 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
I don't think we should be isolationists. We need to trade with people and work on the trade deficit. We don't need to garrison the world though. There are worse things happening in Mexico we don't seem to worry about. They find mass graves there all the time. For some reason we are not invading them. I guess crime is ok as long as you are not a dictator.
amdactivist
2:39 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
TIM, i know your a democrat and many years for me also but Bush caused problems and wasn't the best but we've moved on to change. Are you aware that GE owns much of the media that plugged obama and catered to his campaign lies? How much has Obama not Bush spent on bailouts and Earmarks that he promised NOT to do? Are you aware that obama was president of "fact check" during the anneburg years in 1995 and Bill ayers was chairman same time? Do you realize they obama campaign use to say "fact check " it? I now vote by checking voting records, websites and asking deep questions. www.votesmart.org
Paul Amirault
2:55 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Please provide links and proof to your assertions.
Tim
3:38 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
I'm not a Democrat. I'm a vote for the person who's less terrible type of person.
My views tend to be more "progressive" on social issues, and a bit more "conservative" on fiscal matters. Both views are constantly tempered by pragmatism and the reality of the world we live in.
This last part is something both of our parties lack these days.
Tim
3:39 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Oh, and for example, I voted for Ehrlich. Every time.
Other Tim
4:39 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Paul: no one (including you) provides links and proof assertions to most of the posts on this website.
Paul Amirault
4:53 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
True, but this I wii guarantee you, ask me about any fact I ever post and I will direct you to the source and if I find I am wrong you'll have a prompt apology. Of the times I have been told I was wrong with facts, I accepted apologies shortly thereafter from the poster. I find facts very useful when making arguments, as there is only one set of them. I get annoyed by posts that just repeat what someone gets by email or heard from a friend. But once I find a real live "Birther" I jump for joy! Then I don't bother with them anymore as they are exposed. Not braggin', just facts! <[;< )))
Joan Wood
2:44 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Tracey,
I was going to ask the same question...........lol!!
amdactivist
2:47 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
douglas. Ehrlich did have a surplus and omalley will also the way he's screwed everyone including his church with his high taxes,fine, fees tolls etc and pandering for votes in all dept's including gay marriage after he made a statement that marriage is between a man and woman and now he supports gay marriage. He is a sellout bendover ..
.. ..
amdactivist
2:52 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
GP.. go google the lives lost under obama who made a campaign lie when he quotes" the first thing i will do if elected is bring home our troops".. He lied again!! you people need to know bush is gone. We have new leadership that has stomped our country so far into oblivion we will never recover. He not only caters to muslims *his own admission he is a muslim* , he denounces christianity. He has spent more $$ then 'ALL PRESIDENTS COMBINED".. Now if you want to prove me wrong.. Go for it..and while your at it paul. keep hiring contractors that hire illegals while you claim you have no control which is bs. .. You can go back and delete all your admissions on the subject but i managed to save a couple..
Paul Amirault
3:06 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Go for it. You have lost your mind.
Paul Amirault
3:10 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
The good news with your last post is you have at least come out of the closet now. Born in Kenya too, I presume?
Tim
3:40 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
oh wow Paul. We have a real live "birther" on the boards.
amdactivist
2:54 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Paul Gp construction.. I've given you more proof on many things and u still don't believe. How 'bout you start proving me wrong!!
Paul Amirault
3:05 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
I don't hide amd like you do, you never provide any proof of anything, jus t rhetoric.
So you bring up a name of a company I own? Is that a threat? What is wrong with you?
amdactivist
3:02 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
You can always tell the liberals from the conservatives . the liberals resort to the bad habits of the prior administrations to justify the same bs but more of it with the present administration like one wrong doing deserves another only worse.. lol
amdactivist
3:39 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Tim. GWB didn't cause 911 yet he left obama with a $1.3 trillion debt because of 911 and katrina. 2 disasters. The only thing i can say is bush prewarned iraq and should not have told the world he was going in after sadam months later. They had time to hide their weapons of mass destruction.. All you have to do is google the stats then and now. No comparison. How many lies and bs does obama have to say to get through to his supporters. luckily his supporters are more scarce every single day. I do think obama will be re-elected because he pays his campaign supporters very well. He's paid back all the unions and his main supporter GE who owns much of the media like cnn and all the union leader thugs.. Ge don't pay taxes and pays him back again by moving his company to china. I once saw a video by Soros who hates americans and swore before he died he will take down America. He accomplished his goals with his idiot puppet..
amdactivist
3:42 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Paul its easy to google anything i've said. You also know i've provided many links and you still squalk. . I've asked you numerous times to leave me alone. Your not an asset here and just a pain to your own unintelligent views.
Paul Amirault
3:54 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Go back under you rock and hide. I'll leave you alone.
Have a good day.
amdactivist
3:51 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Unfortunately many of obama's videos are no longer available. They did let a couple slide though.. I've seen videos with obama admitting he's a muslim and michelle saying he was born in kenya.. http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2010/06/-obama-tells-egyptian-foreign-minister-i-am-a-muslim-stealth-coup-on-the-white-house.html
LalainMaryland
3:53 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Wow! The lack of proper English is astounding. Does anyone proofread?
DS
6:05 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Martin OWEMalley is an idiot. He does not have to worry about re-election so what the heck. Raise taxes - spend money - help illegals get licenses - blah blah blah.
Doug
6:07 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
so true... don't get me started on Baltimore as a sancuary city, or O'Malley with his licensing and in-state-tuition for illegals.. sickening
amdactivist
7:06 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
A little humor to brighten your day. Been seen on you tube over 5 million times. Enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIHz5tevLAw
Paul Amirault
7:21 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Although way off topic, here is dose of reality to go with what the humor above wrought.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNwp-6xvRYc&feature=youtube_gdata_player
amdactivist
7:45 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Who started Wreaths across America..Paul are you trying to portray yourself as concerning citizen about our fallen troops yet you don't give a darn about this country? You admit that you have no control who your subcontractors hire illegal or not which is such bs and employers like you are the only reason we have more then 1 million forclosures a year and millions homeless. How are we suppose to take you? Your no patriot.. You don't care about our troops or our citizens. You don't care that illegals bring with them gangs, drugs, murders, human smuggling and costing the tax payers a terrible expense and burden..Try visiting the homeless and their children living in shelters because you took their jobs away and get down on your hands and knees and beg forgiveness for being so uncaring to the troops at home..
http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/
http://rethinkafghanistan.com/blog/2011/10/twice-as-many-us-troops-have-been-killed-in-afghanistan-under-obama-as-under-bush/
Paul Amirault
7:51 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
You are a disgusting "human".
amdactivist
8:00 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
I care about people paul and our country..I act on it.. .. YOu cater to its demise.
Honeygo Hal
11:15 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Nice building they got going up next to the Allison plant, doncha think? Just a short walk to 5 Guys for lunch...