With Wrigley planning to hire 54 more workers and the jobs averaging $69,000 a year, a Hamilton County panel wasted little time Tuesday approving a tax break for the company's expansion.
Work is to start by year's end on the $31 million project at Wrigley's Chattanooga plant enabling the confectionery maker to bring production of Life Savers mints from Canada to the city.
"We're glad to have you here to Canada's chagrin," said Dan Mayfield, the Hamilton County Industrial Development Board's chairman.
Bruce VerBurg, Wrigley's facility director, said hiring will begin at the Jersey Pike plant in early 2011. Production is expected to begin next June.
The board approved a 13-year payment in lieu of taxes agreement during which Wrigley will avoid paying some property taxes. The company will pay the portion of the levy that goes to schools, said Alfred Smith, an attorney for Wrigley.
Also, the company is eligible for state grants to help pay for a railroad spur and stormwater improvements, said Steve Hiatt of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce.
VerBurg said Chattanooga beat out a Wrigley facility in Flowery Branch, Ga., for the expansion at the plant, which already employs about 265 full-time and temporary workers.
He said only one of the 54 new workers will be relocated here.