Bradley County OKs funds for industry relocation

CLEVELAND, Tenn., Jul 22, 2008 (Chattanooga Times/Free Press - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- WHR | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- The Bradley County Commission unanimously approved its part of a jobs relocation package for Whirlpool on Monday.

Commissioners agreed to put up $1 million to move 500 Whirlpool jobs from Oxford, Miss., to Cleveland. The Cleveland City Council approved its $1 million share of the package last week, and the state of Tennessee already has committed $1 million plus some tax incentives.

"Whirlpool has been a steadfast industry here that has provided a lot of good jobs," said Jerry Bohannon, president and CEO of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce.

Two weeks ago Whirlpool announced it would close the Mississippi plant and move the jobs to Cleveland. Local officials said it could have been the other way around if not for the incentives.

County Mayor D. Gary Davis said the vote was the final step to help the corporation move equipment to Cleveland. He said the commitments will come due in the 2009-10 budget year. Discussions on how to fund the commitment will come in a few months.

Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland also acknowledged the work of U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., in getting federal funding to build flood-control detention ponds in the Whirlpool neighborhood.

In other action Monday, commissioners unanimously approved the Healthy Community Initiative's recommendation of recipients for the first round of grants from the sale of Bradley Memorial Hospital.

Commissioner Michael Willis is a member of the county-appointed HCI committee and a former county hospital official.

"It is very fitting that this money is used for the health, wellness and quality of life of Bradley County citizens," Mr. Willis said. "We believe it is the first of many opportunities."

Commissioners also approved refinancing the county's bond debt based on an upgraded rating by the firm Standard & Poor's.

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