OFFICE OF SENATOR CORKER: The Tennessean: Tennessee and Volkswagen: America at its best.

FROM THE OFFICE OF SENATOR CORKER

July 20, 2008

By Bob Corker

Bob Corker represents Tennessee in the United States Senate. He was mayor of Chattanooga from 2001-2005 when the infrastructure that established the Enterprise South Industrial Park was built and the recruitment effort that attracted Volkswagen began.

I will never forget the moment I got the call that forever changed Chattanooga and the region: Volkswagen will build its U.S. automotive production facility at the Enterprise South Industrial Park in Chattanooga. That call was the culmination of a community-wide vision becoming a reality and by far one of the best moments in my public service career.

For years the Chattanooga community has steadily executed a shared vision to transform our city. Our vibrant downtown and waterfront is a direct result. Another aspect of the vision included turning a former army ammunition plant into a world-class industrial park that could eventually attract a major auto manufacturer. During my time as mayor, our community built the infrastructure that established Enterprise South and began an aggressive marketing effort to recruit a major auto prospect to the site. Through twists and turns, the community maintained focus, invested wisely and exercised tremendous effort and energy in recruiting a major employer to our city. Volkswagen has broken an economic barrier, and the realization of the vision to which we have held true will take the city, the region, and the state to levels we can only begin to imagine.

Volkswagen’s announcement affects every person in our state and will for generations. It’s difficult to find a sector of our state that will NOT be affected positively. Not only will the Chattanooga region be transformed by the tremendous economic impact and new job creation that will result from Volkswagen’s investment, our entire state will reap great benefits from suppliers and other supporting businesses this facility will attract.

The impact is even more significant because Volkswagen’s Chattanooga manufacturing facility will house engineering, purchasing – literally every aspect of U.S. car production. With Nissan, GM, and Volkswagen facilities in Tennessee, I believe we are becoming THE auto manufacturing state in the country. It’s difficult to quantify the incredible ripple effects of Volkswagen’s decision, and I hope it gives Tennesseans confidence to replace the feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability in these volatile economic times.

In announcing their decision, Volkswagen praised Tennessee’s outstanding quality of life and the remarkable partnership of elected officials of both parties and community leaders at the local, state, and federal level who worked on the project. I cannot say enough about the outstanding leadership that Governor Phil Bredesen and Tennessee ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber demonstrated. We are fortunate to have them leading our state in this way. Coupled with the experience of Senator Lamar Alexander, who brought Nissan and GM to Tennessee in the 1980s, and the steadfast dedication of Congressman Zach Wamp, Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield, and especially Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey who saw the project through from inception to completion, the team effort was seamless.

Because the third largest auto manufacturer in the world has deemed Tennessee worthy of this significant investment, we send a message to the entire world that Tennessee is THE place to live and work, and as Volkswagen of America CEO Stefan Jacoby reinforced: “America at its best.”