Thousands Of Manufacturing Jobs May Come To Mid-State

Posted:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Manufacturers are seeing growth for the first time in nearly two years and Middle Tennessee stands to benefit. Murfreesboro has been named as a possible site for a new Harley Davidson plant.

During tough economic times no business is recession proof, but Brenda Ritenour said the barber shop comes close.

"I think I'm in the best business that I could be in because the economy is bad," said Ritenour.

Ritenour said her clients are getting haircuts less often and they aren't tipping as much, but it could be worse.

"We still make enough to buy groceries and pay the bills. It's just not as good as it was," said Ritenour.

Rutherford County could have a cure for the cutbacks. Murfreesboro is up against two other cities for a Harley Davidson production facility, one in Indiana and one in Kentucky. If landed, the plant could bring 2,500 jobs.

"If more industry comes in more jobs that means more people, we're going to see a pickup on our business," said Ritenour.

In June, Nissan announced its' building a one million square foot battery plant in Smyrna. Nissan's plant could bring 1,300 new jobs.

Middle Tennessee State University's director of business and economic research, David Penn, said it was no secret why employers are looking at Middle Tennessee.

"We're looking at a wide range of skills," said Penn. "They're thinking long term. Where do we need to be to serve the national markets especially east of the Mississippi in the long run? This is a perfect location."

Penn said Middle Tennessee also has the top of the line transportation network, plus an eager work force.

If Murfreesboro does not land the new Harley Davidson plant, Penn said that was ok. He said being in the running was enough to peak the interest of other companies.

Penn said it will likely take a couple years to replace all of the local jobs that were lost.