April 28,
2009 Bristol, Tennessee - The
Northeast Tennessee Valley Regional Industrial Development Association
(NETVRIDA) in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Economic
and Community Development (TNECD) hosted a "Doing Business
with Volkswagen" Forum today at the Bristol Motor Speedway.
"Doing Business with Volkswagen" was
an opportunity provided to regional business and industry by the
electric power distributors in the region, to gain information on
Volkswagen Group of America's process for selecting potential suppliers.
Held at the Bruton Smith Building at Bristol Motor Speedway on April
28, Volkswagen officials explained how to register for inclusion
on the VW supplier database, discussed the project timeline and
took questions from attendees. Over 165 potential suppliers were
in attendance.
"The Northeast Tennessee Valley Regional Industrial
Development Association and the electric power distributors in the
region were excited to have Volkswagen Group of America representatives
come to the Northeast Tennessee Valley region and speak about doing
business with Volkswagen. We look forward to the possibility of
regional companies doing business with the auto manufacturer,"
said Alicia Summers, NETVRIDA Executive Director. "This has
been a true collaborative effort between NETVRIDA and the Tennessee
Department of Economic and Community Development. Our organizations
are pleased to be able to provide this special opportunity to our
business and industry."
In July 2008 the State of Tennessee and Volkswagen
Group of America announced that Chattanooga, Tennessee had been
selected from among 27 candidates across North America to be the
home of a $1 billion dollar (in capital investment) VW plant. The
plant will produce 150,000 vehicles per year for the North American
market and provide 2,000 jobs. Production is expected to begin in
the first quarter of 2011.
Volkswagen is excited to meet with the many qualified
suppliers located in Tennessee, and we welcome the opportunity to
provide direction on doing business with our company," said
with our company," said Thomas Loafman, director of purchasing
for Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga operations, LLC. "Our
goal is to provide as many opportunities as possible for qualified
Tennessee companies to win business on our project. This forum is
a great means for achieving that."
"Governor Bredesen has described the Volkswagen
project as an "anchor" which can leverage additional economic
development across Tennessee," said Commissioner Matt Kisber,
Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. "We're
already starting to see Tennessee companies doing business with
VW and our goal is to build on that success."
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community
Development (TNECD) worked closely with VW officials in the selection
process to provide incentives and information.
For more information on the Northeast Tennessee Valley Regional
Industrial Development Association (NETVRIDA), please visit www.netvaly.org.
