U.S. Sen. Bob Corker cited Volkswagen's green technology initiatives in the building of its Chattanooga plant, saying the factory will be "the most environmentally sound manufacturing facility in the world."
"The way they're going about building this facility ... with the newest technology that's available making automobiles," he said after an hourlong tour of the plant.
Ironically, Sen. Corker, R-Chattanooga, said the city came close to not meeting the federal environmental emissions standards to attract an auto assembly plant such as VW's.
"I don't think people realize how close we came to being in a position in which our community could not actually even recruit a facility like this," he said.
But the senator noted city and Hamilton County efforts to slash air pollution to make sure the area met environmental standards.
Frank Fischer, VW's chief executive for the Chattanooga operation, said the green features of the plant, slated to open in little over a year, fits with the city's efforts.
According to VW, the plant will hold a bevy of features to save energy and money, including efficient electric motors and stormwater recycling.
Sen. Corker said people don't realize yet how the jobs the $1 billion plant and its suppliers will produce affect the region for years to come. The plant and spinoff companies are expected to create 11,477 jobs, according to a University of Tennessee study.
Sen. Corker lauded partnerships which helped woo the German automaker.
He said the city and county cleared the Enterprise South industrial park site even before VW picked Chattanooga and helped put the project on schedule.
"It's a testament to people coming together with a vision and sticking together," Sen. Corker said.
County Commissioner Bill Hullander said he's impressed with the project's pace.
"There will be a lot of changes out here," he said.