In recruiting a major manufacturing company, there are no doubt many who provide input and contribute in one-way or another at the local, state and federal level. And Volkswagen AG's recent decision is undoubtedly no exception. But even though many contribute, I think it is safe to say that two of our local sons are probably most responsible for Chattanooga landing VW at Enterprise South.
First, it would be safe to say that no other person has been more doggedly determined over the long haul, to obtain a major manufacturing employer than County Mayor Claude Ramsey. Claude has led this effort since the VAAP was turned over to the county while he was serving as County Executive. Claude has worked hard to get state and federal funds to develop interchanges, clean the site up, and build or update the infrastructure necessary for a major manufacturer to even consider Chattanooga as a potential site. Under his watch, the site has been transformed from a derelict largely unused relic of WWII into an industrial site that is the envy of many communities across the nation.
Well done Claude! Your bulldog determination has helped Chattanooga, Hamilton County and the Tennessee Valley immensely. We thank you.
Second, it would be safe to say that the "wild card" that helped Chattanooga land VW this time was our own native son, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker. As former mayor of Chattanooga, Bob Corker worked tirelessly with Claude on prior recruiting efforts. But this time, as Sen. Bob, using his singularly outstanding persuasive abilities and his impeccable business experience and resume, he was able to host key VW management personnel and help convince them that Chattanooga was the "diamond in the rough" where they needed to invest their money.
Well done Sen. Bob! Your business savvy and persuasive sales abilities are now the stuff of which legends are made. We thank you.
Contrary to the naysayers, Sen. Corker, Mayor Ramsey and a host of others including Gov. Phil Bredesen, Mayor Ron Littlefield and others too numerous to name, kept the faith, picked up their phones and continued working for Chattanooga.
We can be quite proud of everyone who had a part in making this decision happen, but most especially we can be proud of Sen. Corker and Mayor Ramsey. The next time you see one of them, make sure you tell them "Thanks. Job well-done!"
Wes Kliner
Ooltewah
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All of our elected city, county and state officials deserve a lot of credit for putting aside partisan politics in working together to secure the Volkswagen facility.
Gov. Bredesen, Sens. Corker and Alexander, Rep. Wamp and Mayors Littlefield and Ramsey deserve their day of glory today. Now let's all pull together to make the plant the most efficient automobile facility in the country.
Douglas Jones
Chattanooga
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To all the whining know-it-alls that said a major auto factory would never come to Chattanooga, and you know who you are, I am cooking up a huge plate of crow for ya.
Congrats to city, county and state officials (and our representatives in Washington) for refusing to listen to the naysayers and believing they could land a major auto factory in Chattanooga.
Willkommen Volkswagen!
D. Smotherman
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Since most of the time I complain about politicians and what they don't do for the city. I am mostly critical about them, but this time my hats off to you guys. You did one heck of a good job on Enterprise South project.
Congratulations to you and to Chattanooga for landing Volkswagen. I too had a bug and a bus. Great cars and I look forward to having them here.
Good to see Democrats and Republicans working together for a common goal.
Susan Nicholas
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Seems a few folks owe an apology to our local law makers for trashing them before the fat lady sang.
Bo Coppinger
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I did not believe that VW would come. I cannot wait until ground is broken, and this is one time I am truly glad to have been wrong.
Maybe they will let me buy the first one that comes off the line....at full retail
Carnell Storie
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A great big thank you to all of you who worked so tirelessly on the Volkswagen plant deal. This should be a first step to getting Chattanooga back to the industrial city it used to be - only now we'll be able to do things a little "greener" for our local environment.
This city has a plethora of wonderful natural and man-made sites. Chattanoogans are (for the most part) intelligent, vibrant, friendly, courteous and hard working people. I hope that this is the start of a long and successful venture between our citizens and Volkswagen. I also hope that we don't sit on our laurels with regard to recruiting other businesses and industries into our area. Thanks again.
Lady Walker
Signal Mountain
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I am so excited about VW decision to relocate to Chattanooga. I happen to be relocating there in a few weeks. I knew my state of Michigan was also in the running, but thought chances were slim when VW moved their corporate offices out Auburn Hills, Mich., not too long ago.
I started visiting your community a year ago and fell in love with the area and the people there. This will be a great boost to the economy, community and everyone that lives there.
Congrats to those who put in countless hours to see this vision come to past. Also hats off to those who put their faith and trust in their elected officials and their staff members. To those who wavered in doubt here's your opportunity to catch the vision and get aboard the Choo Choo of the future.
Sararetha Richey
Canton, Mich.
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Simply overwhelming: EPB bringing in fiber optic for superior TV viewing and super high-speed Internet to give old, worn out Comcast some competition and now Volkswagen locating a new $1 billion U.S. plant at Enterprise South.
Next thing you know, EXXON will be drilling oil wells in Soddy-Daisy.
Jim Ashley
jashley41@comcast.net
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I, too, would like to commend all the officials who worked so hard to get
this plant located in Chattanooga. We will probably never know what
concessions had to be made to get this done, but I believe it will bear
much fruit over the next 20 years.
After MartiGate, FranklinGate,
and LongGate, it's great to finally have something to feel good about.
Now we need to grow our city without losing its character and laid-back
lifestyle.
Ronnie "Rock" Land
Road Rash Magazine
Managing Editor
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Congratulations, Tennessee. You worked hard to get the plant.
Well deserved. Everyone in Chattanooga should be excited.
The number of jobs created at the plant of 2,000 is not that huge, but what will add many more jobs are the industries VW relies on to get parts, machinery and materials.
Tennessee is a wonderful place and my wife and I may retire in Southern hospitality someday.
Best of luck to everyone in Chattanooga.
Hans Klaas
Snohomish, Wash.
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As a Chattanooga area native, I actually cried yesterday when I heard that the city had landed the new Volkswagen plant.
Going to school at Tyner and seeing the Army Ammunitions plant and Farmers' Chemical go away and through the years by losing many other industrial sites including Cavalier Corporation, Wheland Foundry, Combustion Engineering, U.S. Pipe, etc., I am so happy that our city will continue to be revitalized not only through tourism, but now by being able to attract a new generation of workers. Hopefully this plant will be an opportunity to retain our children in our area with great paying jobs instead of losing them to other cities that lure them away with better paying jobs and careers.
My sincere appreciation to all of the many people who worked on bringing Volkswagen to Chattanoogan - both the ones who are visible and the ones working behind the scene.
Nita Brandenburg
anitabrandenburg@ymail.com
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Okay, I admit it. I am as shocked as anyone that we are getting the VW plant and Mr. Smotherman, I like mine well done, no pink, no west nile.
I have a house to sell that is really, really close to the area of the new plant. Any takers?
I apologize for the 'NO' vote here on the Chattanoogan when asked if I thought we would land the new plant. Please forgive me.
E. Cornwell
Chattanooga
(Crow Connoisseur)
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It truly is exciting to have Chattanooga chosen for the site of the Volkswagen plant. While we are thanking those who made it possible let's remember the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce. The staff, under the direction of Tom Ed Wilson and Trevor Hamilton, worked tirelessly for many months to make this a reality.
Thank you Tom Ed, Trevor and the entire Chamber staff.
Linda Mosley
Ooltewah
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I agree with everyone that has responded on here of what a great and exciting thing to be happening to Chattanooga, but you are all forgetting to thank some major people in helping prepare the site for consideration.
VW people said they chose Chattanooga because of the preparation of the site. I would like to thank the construction crews that have been out there working 12-14 hour days clearing out all the land, making sure it was level and ready to be considered. If it wasn't for those people, we wouldn't have a "ready" site to offer.
Kudos to the construction guys out there
Karin Gilstrap
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Perhaps some enterprising restaurateur will finally open a German restaurant in our great city.
Jay Parker
Chattanooga
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Short and sweet is the best path to the truth. Plant after plant of U. S. auto makers close nationwide, and have been for years, yet we applaud a German auto maker building cars in the U.S., and then turning around and selling them to us as well.
So many eyes, so little sight, and absolutely no insight.
Michael Helton
michael37419@aol.com