Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 3:20 pm

UPDATE: The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that a committee of Bridgestone Americas employees is recommending keeping the tiremaker's tech center in Akron, Ohio.

The recommendation is still pending a final approval by corporate officials.

The announcement was made this afternoon in Akron at an event attended by Bridgestone Americas Chairman and Chief Executive Mark Emkes, Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher, Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic and Summit County Executive Russ Pry.

A quick check of Murfreesboro area officials indicated no specific information from Bridgestone concerning today's event or any potenial announcement.

The event will be held at 3 p.m. event at Bridgestone Americas Center for Research & Technology off South Main Street.

Murfreesboro was chosen as the final competitor with Akron for the technology center that would employ some 600 at an annual average salary of $70,000.

Murfreesboro has offered to give Bridgestone a prime site in the Gateway development area along with other state incentives.

Ohio at the first of the month came forward with an additional $18 million in tax breaks to keep the tech center in Akron, resulting in a total package estimated at $68 million.

Click here to see the story from The Plain Dealer.