The Alstom plant is seen from the Republic Centre building Thursday, May 28, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The Republic Centre is the tallest building in Chattanooga.A Chattanooga panel agreed Tuesday to end a lease for about a half-acre of riverfront property with Alstom, but not before the deal drew criticism amid the company’s plan to shut three facilities and cut 235 jobs in the city.
The city’s Industrial Development Board agreed to let Alstom terminate its lease with the group so the company can transfer the land to Norfolk Southern Railway Co. for a spur line.
But panel member Jimmy Rodgers said Alstom had promised to bring a lot of jobs to Chattanooga and failed to fully deliver.
“Now, we’re giving away land to the very company that didn’t hold up their end of the deal,” he said at a meeting of the group. “I’m not at all excited about giving Alstom property. It’s difficult for me.”
In June, new Alstom owner General Electric announced its plans to close the Chattanooga facilities, end manufacturing and lay off all but about 50 workers doing engineering and commercial functions in the city. Alstom invested $300 million to expand and upgrade its Chattanooga Riverfront complex less than a decade ago in hopes of a nuclear power renaissance in America. At the time, Alstom said it would expand its workforce to about 900 workers.