NHK brings 244 jobs to Murfreesboro

   Japan-based NHK Seating of America, Inc. will build a $54 million manufacturing facility here that could provide up to 224 jobs over five years at the intersection of Interstate 24 and Joe B. Jackson Highway by the time the facility is fully developed in 2015.
   Gov. Phil Bredesen and Tennessee Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Matt Kisber made the announcement  following approval by the Rutherford County Industrial Development Board of a 10-year, $2.4 million tax abatement, which will result in $2.7 million in tax revenue for local coffers, according to Holly Sears Weber, vice president of economic development with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce.
 Construction is scheduled to begin in October.
   “A project of this size will certainly help boost our economy — with jobs, but also with the economic impact through construction and service jobs as a result of this facility,” Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce President Paul Latture said. “This is just a complement to the things we’re trying to accomplish.”
   The cost to benefit analysis and economic impact statement considered by the Rutherford County Industrial Development Board indicates there could be 328 indirect jobs resulting from the facility’s fourth year of development.
   Tennessee continues to be a leading location for investment from the automotive industry, Gov. Bredesen stated in a release.
   “Our state’s long-standing trade and investment ties with Japan and this investment by NHK demonstrate a high level of confidence in our state’s business climate and the ability of Tennessee workers to compete globally in the areas of efficiency, productivity and quality,” he stated.
   NHK Seating of America is in Frankfort, Ind., and, since beginning U.S. production in 1987, the company has manufactured products for several major automotive manufacturers for Toyota and Nissan, among others. The middle Tennessee facility could serve as a supplier for Volkswagen, a plant for which is already under construction near Chattanooga.
   The Murfreesboro facility will produce automobile seat frames initially but company officials hope the product line will expand in the future.