A four-year tax abatement for Chattem has been approved for an upcoming expansion due to create 25 new jobs.
If the St. Elmo firm follows through on a second phase creating another 25 jobs, the tax abatement would extend for a total of nine years.
Chattem plans to spend up to $8 million in the first phase - mostly for new equipment. It plans to spend up to $15 million in the second phase.
The firm will pay $198,000 each year on the school tax during the abatement.