A pair of automotive suppliers have eyed a 43.5-acre tract at Centre South Riverport and officials are moving ahead with trying to land a state water quality permit to help prepare the site.
Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger said Monday that while no company has committed to building on the vacant parcel off Amnicola Highway, the county wants to obtain the state permit to speed that part of landing a potential business.
"There were some issues to mitigate wetlands," Coppinger said. "We've had several people look at that property and they've all shared similar concerns. We know it's something that there is a lot of interest [in]."
By the numbers
Permit application mentions creation of 200 new jobs.
The permit application filed with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation talks about a plant that would include 230,000 square feet of manufacturing space, with adjacent land that could double that figure in an expansion.
In addition, the application cites 165,000 square feet in administrative space.
It also mentions creation of 200 new auto supplier jobs with an annual labor income of $7 million.
With spin-off employment in the area factored in, the total number of jobs due to the plant could reach 405 with an $18.3 million labor income, according to the application.
The TDEC application has a project start date of this March, with work to be completed in a year.
The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce declined to comment.
"Per our policy, it's not appropriate for us to discuss site visits or selections until we're ready for an announcement," said Sybil Topel, the chamber's vice president of communications.
Coppinger said the county has "lost a few prospects" in the past because of issues related to a wetlands on the property.
"The intent was a manufacturing facility," he said. "We have had interest from auto manufacturers at least two suppliers."
Eric Ward, TDEC's deputy communications director, said a 30-day public notice of the application started in mid-January.
Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger comments on a portion of his budget to county commissioners in this file photo.After the 30-day time frame, TDEC will answer questions or comments, he said. Ward said the timing of the issuance of the permit can vary based on the questions after the public notice time period ends.
Plastic Omnium, a French manufacturer of fenders and bumpers, is the latest auto supplier to land in the region, having started a new facility last year.
The company is building a $70 million plant at Enterprise South industrial park that will supply bumpers for the Volkswagen sport utility vehicle. VW intends to start production of the new SUV, dubbed the CrossBlue, in late 2016.
Plastic Omnium intends to create 184 new jobs by the time it starts production and expand its payroll to include 300 people as early as three years after opening. Plastic Omnium purchased about 27 acres at Enterprise South.
VW said earlier this month it could produce another smaller SUV based on the CrossBlue.
The German automaker is investing $900 million into its plant expansion with plans to hire 2,000 more workers.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.