General Motors officials announced Wednesday the company will invest $788.7 million and create 781 new jobs for a new high-efficiency engine program and to modernize the vehicle programs at the company’s Spring Hill manufacturing plant.
The announcement brings GM’s total investment in the Spring Hill plant in 2016 up to more than $936 million including an expansion announced in February. The company has announced investments of over $2 billion for Spring Hill since 2010.
"When GM announced it was building a plant in Spring Hill in 1985, the company said it had looked at proposals from 38 states and chose Tennessee for its location and atmosphere. Thirty one years later, Tennessee is still a beautiful state in the middle of the market with a first-rate four-lane highway system– but the plant is growing because Spring Hill workers and Governor Haslam have created an environment for growth,” Senator Lamar Alexander said.
Senator Bob Corker said, “Today’s announcement of a $788.7 million investment and 792 new jobs is great news for Maury County and surrounding communities. These high-quality jobs will benefit Middle Tennesseans and further solidify the Volunteer State as the premier location for auto manufacturing. Governor Haslam and his economic development team continue to build upon Tennessee’s business-friendly environment, and I am proud to join them in thanking General Motors for deepening their commitment to our state.”
“We want to congratulate GM on another important investment in Spring Hill and its workforce,” Governor Bill Haslam said. “Tennessee has an incredibly strong business climate, and we continue to attract investment from companies that can choose to do business anywhere in the world. It is important to see long-time partners like GM continue to invest in Tennessee and create high-quality jobs here.”
“Tennessee has been recognized repeatedly as the strongest state in the automotive industry with over 900 automotive related companies,” Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd said. “I want to thank GM for creating jobs that will have a lasting impact on Tennessee families.”
“This investment will position GM and its workforce as continued leaders in powertrain manufacturing,” said Arvin Jones, GM North America Manufacturing manager. “Today’s announcement reinforces our absolute faith in this facility, and our strong commitment to this community and the state of Tennessee.”
The Spring Hill site is a flexible vehicle assembly plant currently producing the Cadillac XT5 and the GMC Acadia, as well 4-cylinder engines and stampings used in several GM vehicles.
Other local and state economic development officials also lauded the Spring Hill expansion, thanking the company for its partnership.
"It is always important when an existing industry expands. But, it is extra exciting when a world-class company like GM makes such a significant reinvestment in your community. It is a testament to the great workforce and business climate found in Maury County. We are grateful to GM for their vote of confidence, thankful for the great jobs being created in the community, and excited to work with GM towards their continued success in Maury County,” Maury County Mayor Charlie Norman said.
"We are both thankful and excited to witness the continued success of General Motors with this wonderful announcement,” City of Spring Hill Mayor Rick Graham said. “GM has always played a critical role in the growth of our community and today’s announcement is further proof that Spring Hill is truly rising."
“TVA understands the importance of reliable, affordable electricity to General Motors and the entire automotive industry. We are proud to be a partner in this announcement, which will lead to more jobs and investment in the region’s economy,” TVA President and CEO Bill Johnson said.
Tennessee continues to be recognized for its automotive sector. According to the Tennessee Department of Economic Development, there are over 900 automotive suppliers that have spread across 80 of Tennessee’s 95 counties. In 2015, Business Facilities ranked Tennessee No. 1 for automotive manufacturing strength for the fifth time in six years.
Maury County and Williamson County are represented by Sen. Joey Hensley (R - Hohenwald), Sen. Jack Johnson (R - Franklin), Rep. Sheila Butt (R - Columbia), Rep. Glen Casada (R - Franklin), Rep. Jeremy Durham (R - Franklin), Rep. Charles Sargent (R - Franklin) and Rep. David Shepard (D - Dickson) in the Tennessee General Assembly.