Volkswagen has awarded nearly $436 million in contracts to Tennessee and Chattanooga area firms so far, the automaker said today.

Marking one year since the car maker named Chattanooga as the site of its new auto assembly plant, VW said the contract amount includes almost $198 million awarded by the city, state and VW to contractors and subcontractors for plant construction.

In addition, Volkswagen has so far awarded contracts totaling more than $238 million on an annual turnover basis with parts suppliers in Tennessee and the Chattanooga area for the new midsized sedan to be produced in Chattanooga starting in early 2011.

Also, another $230 million will be spent over the next 20 years for EPB to provide power to the Enterprise South industrial park plant site, according to VW.

Frank Fischer, chief executive of VW’s Chattanooga operations, said the contracts are more than just numbers.

“They are a clear testament to the progress we've been able to achieve in one short year with our partners in Chattanooga and Tennessee,” he said.

A year ago, Volkswagen announced plans to make a car designed specifically for the North American consumer at the new Chattanooga production facility, investing $1 billion and creating more than 2,000 direct jobs.

Gov. Phil Bredesen said Volkswagen's investment in Tennessee is already making a significant impact on the state.

“Despite a challenging economy, Volkswagen has moved forward at full speed on the project and put hundreds of Tennesseans to work before the first vehicle rolls off the assembly line,” he said. “I've called this project an anchor from which additional investment will follow, and I feel as confident about it today as when it was first announced.”

For full coverage, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.