The Hamilton County Commission has approved a $144,195 grant application to help a local company expand.
The grant, which comes through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, will assist with a $1.7 million expansion of Southern Tool Steel, Inc.
The expansion will double the capacity of the company and create 25 new jobs initially, according to a news release. The expansion eventually will create 45 jobs within three to five years of completion, the release said.
Commissioners enthusiastically gave the proposal unanimous approval.
At the commission's agenda session last week, company President Arnold Erwin said the project will give Southern Tool more office and warehouse space.
In other business, the commission congratulated Commissioner Bill Hullander on defeating incumbent Trustee Carl Levi on Tuesday and thanked Commissioner Richard Casavant for his years of service on the commission. Dr. Casavant was elected in 1998 but lost the Republican primary to Jim Fields on Tuesday.
"I really appreciate the support I got," Dr. Casavant said. "It meant a lot to me. This business is humbling, even when you win."
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