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Chattanooga: Local residents excited about VW plant

By: Adam Crisp
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Bud Winderweedle admits he’s being a bit selfish when praising the news that Chattanooga is getting a $1 billion VW plant.

“We live just a couple of miles from where they are going to build it, so on a selfish note, that might be a boost to our home value,” said Mr. Winderweedle, who works downtown at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.

His Ooltewah houe’s value might increase if demand for east Hamilton County real estate increases, he said.

“We missed out on Toyota and Mercedes (plants), so this is great news,” Mr. Winderweedle said. “Anything we can do to stimulate our economy is a good thing.”

The buzz on the street Wednesday was all about Chattanooga’s landing the VW plant to be located at the Enterprise South industrial park.

“We were just talking about it,” Rod Varnell, facilities manager for First Tennessee Bank, said as he left work for the day. “I’m really excited and grateful that it’s going to finally happen. It’s going to mean a lot of new jobs for our community.”

Mr. Varnell’s enthusiasm for the project echoed all across downtown as longtime residents said the German automaker’s announcement signaled Chattanooga’s return to its industrial roots. Newcomers said the German investment means bigger things for a city already on the move.

“I hope it’s a catalyst for attracting additional businesses to the community,” said Gina Bever, who relocated to the area for a job with BlueCross BlueShield.

One downtown retailer, Edward Crompton, owner of Edward’s Jewelry, said gaining an industrial manufacturer years after those businesses dried up in Chattanooga is reassuring.

“It’s good that we are finally getting back some of the manufacturing jobs we lost over the years,” Mr. Crompton said.

Still, he wasn’t sure that his Cherry Street business would see much boom from the plant.

“But maybe some of those people that work there will live downtown,” Mr. Crompton said.

George Hayes said Volkwagen’s decision showed that Chattanooga leaders are doing something right.

“Of all the places they could have chosen, they picked Chattanooga,” he said. “My wife and I were joking about it and she said, “I can speak German. Maybe I can get a job there.’”

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