Franklin-based Nissan North America continues its investment in Rutherford County with a planned expansion of its Smyrna facility.
The automaker plans to retool and expand its factory by 1.3 million square feet for the production of zero-emission electric vehicles and in turn create 1,708 jobs, Chamber of Commerce President Paul Latture said.
“It’s really … the wave of the future,” he said. “Putting us – Smyrna, Rutherford County and Tennessee – we’re being watched as the trendsetters in the auto industry.”
Latture said Nissan will construct a new facility to manufacture electric cars and batteries with $2.5 billion in tax-exempt revenue bonds from the Rutherford County Industrial Development Board and a $1.6 billion loan from the federal government.
The IDB bonds must pass the county commission at its November meeting for the deal to be finalized.
Production of Nissan’s new electric car, the LEAF, should begin in 2012.
Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.
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