DUSA_partners_city_county

Posted April 2005

City and county officials are in the process of approving a tax abatement on over $12 million in purchases of new machinery and equipment for DUSA International in an effort to keep the company’s 320 jobs in Chattanooga.

In return, DUSA has agreed to maintain a minimum of 290 full-time permanent jobs throughout the duration of the tax abatement term. If the minimum job commitment is not fulfilled, the city and county have the right to amend the terms of the abatement.

DUSA, a joint venture of Dupont and Sabanci Holdings of Turkey, manufactures industrial strength nylon primarily for tires for large-wheeled vehicles. DUSA has manufacturing plants in North America, Germany, Turkey, Brazil, Egypt and Argentina.

"DUSA’s North American facilities are not competitive worldwide," said Douglas Heatherly, director of Yarn Business and North American Operations for DUSA. "Every pound of product sold here is sold at a loss of two to three cents a pound. But the modernization of our plant with a $12.4 million investment will allow the Chattanooga plant to become competitive worldwide and thus save the 320 full-time jobs at the plant.

"We are deeply appreciative to the city and county for their support. We want to continue to be an important part of Chattanooga’s business culture for many years to come."

According to Trevor Hamilton, vice president for economic development for the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, working with DUSA is a primary example of the central role existing businesses play in the job growth effort, "When the Chamber learned about the DUSA project, we made it a priority," said Hamilton. "By working with Mayors Corker and Ramsey to craft a tax abatement plan, we are helping DUSA remain competitive. In doing so, we are keeping jobs and holding the door open for job growth in the future."

The Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce is the leading business and economic development organization for the Chattanooga region. For over 100 years, the Chattanooga Chamber has provided community engagement and opportunities for businesses, large and small, including networking, business promotion, business discounts, and public policy advocacy, as well as leadership development and training opportunities.

In addition, the Chattanooga Chamber is a one-stop-shop for site selectors and business decision-makers considering investments and job creation projects in the Chattanooga region. The Chattanooga Chamber is also responsible for marketing Enterprise South Industrial Park, a top-tier industrial park that offers significant strategic business advantages. In addition, the Chattanooga Chamber administers the Chattanooga Hamilton County Business Development Center, the largest business incubator in the U.S. in terms of the number of start up companies it houses, and the Center for Entrepreneurial Growth, an innovative effort to nurture technology-based start-up companies.

As the first stop for people interested in moving to the Chattanooga, the Chattanooga Chamber provides a range of relocation information including demographics, informational videos, connections to Chattanooga Area jobs, and frequently asked questions.