11/11/14 Bridgestone Economic Development Announcement

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• published: 13 Nov 2014
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11/11/14 - NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean along with Bridgestone Americas, Inc. officials announced today the company’s plans to relocate its headquarters to downtown Nashville in a newly constructed facility slated for completion in mid-to-late 2017. The headquarters will house employees currently based in Nashville, as well as those from three out-of-state business units that are being relocated to the city. Bridgestone Americas’ investment in the planned 514,000 square foot, 30-story headquarters is valued at $232.6 million and will create 607 new jobs in Davidson County. “We are grateful for Bridgestone’s ongoing commitment to Tennessee,” Haslam said. “This is one of our state’s best known brands and a company that would be more than welcome anywhere in the world. “It says a lot for our state that Bridgestone Americas is building a new headquarters and creating more than 600 new jobs here. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the company in the years to come.” “Tennessee consistently ranks as the top state in automotive manufacturing strength, and when a thriving company like Bridgestone Americas chooses to broaden its home base in Tennessee, it further solidifies our position as the epicenter of the new Southern Automotive Corridor,” Hagerty said. “As a state, we strive to show Tennessee companies that we are a brand that supports their brand. I could not be more pleased with Bridgestone Americas’ decision to relocate its new headquarters to downtown Nashville, and I applaud the company for providing these jobs to our state’s superior workforce.” Bridgestone Americas is scheduled to break ground in early 2015 with planned occupancy in the third quarter of 2017. The new headquarters, located at 4th Ave. S. and Demonbreun St., is expected to be home base for more than 1,700 employees. “Uniting teammates from our core business units in one location is fundamental to continuing to build a bright, sustainable future for our company,” Gary Garfield, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas, said. “Under one roof, we will increase collaboration, innovation and growth across our lines of business. Current and future teammates will benefit by being part of an exciting and motivating workplace culture intensely focused on meeting the needs of those who buy our products and services. “We received world-class receptions and very competitive offers from several major cities. At the end of the day, Nashville prevailed. The city offers a great quality of life and low business costs, with a reasonable cost of living for our teammates. Downtown Nashville is vibrant and growing. Locating here makes perfect sense, given Bridgestone’s existing strong presence in and deep ties to Nashville and Middle Tennessee,” Garfield added. “Bridgestone Americas has been one of our signature companies for many years, and Nashville is proud to be their partner as they invest even more in our community by building a new headquarters and bringing 600 new jobs here,” Mayor Dean said. “Bridgestone was ready to join its businesses under one roof, either here or in some other city. So this means 1,700 employees who might have worked elsewhere will be contributing to our economy instead by working, living, eating and shopping here. This is huge for Nashville.” “TVA and NES congratulate Bridgestone on its latest announced plans to expand and create hundreds of new jobs in Nashville,” TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. “We are proud to be partners with the state of Tennessee, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County and the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce to assist growing employers like Bridgestone.” Bridgestone has outgrown its current leased headquarters facility on Marriott Drive near Nashville International Airport. With its lease expiring in late 2017, the company launched an extensive search for a new headquarters location to support future growth. The new headquarters will be home to Bridgestone Americas corporate staff and supporting functions, as well as Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC; Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC; Firestone Building Products Company, LLC; and Firestone Industrial Products Company, LLC.