S P O N S O R   S P O T L I G H T:

     In Smyrna, just to the southeast, Nissan announced in June it would build its Altima gasoline-electric hybrid at its Smyrna plant, with a $10.4-million investment in plant equipment and modifications. Production will begin in 2006 for the 2007 model year, using technology licensed from Toyota, which just announced a similar capital investment in its Kentucky complex for its own hybrid program.

     "It’s a testament to the skill of our work force, as well as the flexibility of our manufacturing operation, that we can do this given the complexities of already building five different vehicles in Smyrna," said Dan Gaudette, senior vice president of Nissan North America Manufacturing. "It will be in very capable hands.

     It’s a great way for the company to celebrate its 25th anniversary in the state. But it’s not like they’ve been waiting around for a big number to come up:

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen in June welcomed a $10.4-million investment from Nissan, which chose its Smyrna plant for production of a gas-electric hybrid model of its Altima product.

     Last July, the company announced expansion plans for its powertrain assembly plant in Decherd to build crankshaft forgings for all its U.S.-made vehicles. The announcement represented a $47.3 million investment and resulted in the creation of nearly 70 jobs. In June 2003, Nissan announced that it would move the production of its Pathfinder SUV to Tennessee creating 800 direct Nissan jobs at its Smyrna and Decherd plants and 700 indirect jobs with on-site vendor operations representing a $250 million investment.

     Earlier in June, Gov. Bredesen and Tennessee Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Matt Kisber welcomed the arrival of 600 new jobs at Caremark Rx, which is adding a call center to its Nashville operations. That company arrived in town just after Bredesen established a Jobs Cabinet.

     "The idea behind the Jobs Cabinet was — and is — to leverage all of the collective muscle the State of Tennessee could bring to bear in driving job growth," Bredesen said at the Caremark ceremony. "The results have been encouraging, with more than 32-thousand jobs created in Tennessee last year. But we still have more to do."

     Helping them do more will be new jobs legislation passed by the state’s general assembly in May. Among the provisions of the $20-million package are broadband deployment across the state and more work force training funds.

     One other provision will resonate well with IAMC members: the state is establishing a new Economic Development Leadership Institute, which will provide community leaders from across the state with resources, strategies and training designed to help them stay competitive in the rapidly changing economy.