Chattooga County Chamber members were pleased to hear from a couple of leaders who helped bring the VW manufacturing plant to Chattanooga in 2008 at their monthly luncheon.  Trevor Hamilton, VP Economic Development of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and Blake Poole, Spec.Asst. to Commissioner,  TN Dept of Economic Development enlightened the group on some of the history and long term commitment that the Chattanooga area gave to get VW to locate there.  The plant is scheduled to be on line and operational early in 2011.  Test cars are already being manufactured at the facility.

Once production numbers increase at the facility it is felt that suppliers will move to locate their supply facilities closer to Chattanooga and Chattooga County will need to have their industrial parks ready when the call comes.  Local officials have made application for various grants to help in providing infrastructure to the existing facilities in Trion and Summerville.  Word on those grants is expected in the next 90 days.

"You can’t wait and say we’ll run that water or sewer line for you" says Hamilton.  "You will risk losing out to another community who has their act together.  Getting a site pad ready is the key."

Leaders are working with various agency representatives at both the federal and state level to assist in cutting the red tape out of the process and bringing needed jobs to the county.