TN.gov Newsroom

 

NASHVILLE – The publishers of Trade & Industry Development magazine, a national economic development publication, have named Wacker Chemie and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development among the winners of its 2010 Corporate Investment & Community Impact (CiCi) Awards. The project was chosen as one of 15 in the Corporate Investment category for the Munich-based company’s $1 billion investment and forecasted creation of 500 jobs in Bradley County.

 

“By focusing on job creation and education for a highly-skilled workforce, we have continued to drive economic growth in Tennessee over the last year,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “This recognition of our success is an indication that we are on the right track to improving Tennessee’s economy and maintaining our reputation as a business-friendly state.”

 

“We are pleased to be recognized for the Wacker Chemie project, as it continues to spotlight Tennessee’s growing reputation for innovation in the development and manufacture of clean energy technologies,” said Matt Kisber, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. “This acknowledgement by Trade & Industry Development demonstrates that Tennessee continues to be a state of economic progress and that we are committed to bringing corporate investment to the state.”

 

Wacker announced plans to construct a new hyperpure polycrystalline silicon facility in February 2009. The renewable energy company’s decision to locate in Tennessee came in part due to the state’s well-developed infrastructure and the cooperative partnership of state agencies, local government and the local chamber of commerce.

 

“We are delighted to learn that Wacker Chemie and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development were co-selected among the winners for the 2010 CiCi award,” said Dr. Ingomar Kovar, president and CEO for Wacker Chemical Corporation, Wacker Chemie’s North American-based operation. “Receiving such an award is indicative of the spirit of partnership between business and government to attract investment and promote a business friendly climate.”

 

The Wacker Chemie project was one of only 30 applicants selected from a pool of more than 1,000 submissions for awards in two categories – Corporate Investment and Community Impact. The 30 CiCi Award recipients helped create 27,752 new jobs, retain 10,715 jobs, and represent investments in excess of $8.9 billion. For a complete list of winners, see Trade & Industry Development’s March/April issue or visit http://www.tradeandindustrydev.com/issues/ID-51-issue.aspx.

 

“The CiCi Awards continue to be especially important this year, just as they were last year, due to the prolonged economic downturn,” said Scott D. Swoger, publisher of Trade & Industry Development magazine and president of Due North Consulting, Inc. “I find it extremely uplifting to see so many areas still striving for excellence, and preparing themselves for the inevitable upswing in the economy.”

 

The CiCi Award is the latest in a number of honors Tennessee has received for its economic development efforts in the past year. Most recently, Tennessee received top five honors in Site Selection magazine’s Governor’s Cup for economic development and was also ranked among the top five states in the U.S. for best business climates. Business Facilities and Southern Business & Development magazines honored Tennessee as their State of the Year. Tennessee also won Area Development magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel Award, which is presented annually to the state achieving the most success in terms of job creation and economic impact.

 

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to create higher skilled, better paying jobs for all Tennesseans. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tn.gov/ecd or www.InvestTennessee.org.

 

Wacker Chemie AG is currently the world’s second largest producer of hyperpure polycrystalline silicon. Wacker has manufactured polysilicon for over 50 years and has steadily expanded its capacity to meet rising solar-silicon demand in the photovoltaic industry. To learn more, go to www.wacker.com.

 

Trade & Industry Development is the only vertical market publication dedicated to site selection. Each issue of T&ID focuses on site selection for a particular industry, and is mailed solely to that industry. This form of targeted marketing allows for greater market penetration in a publication where the editorial matches the audience. With a circulation of 25,000, T&ID reaches more decision makers per industry than any other publication dedicated to site selection. Please visit www.TradeandIndustryDev.com or call 800-899-2676 for more information.

 

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Contact: Valerie Somerville, ECD

Office: (615) 532-1925

E-mail: valerie.somerville@tn.gov