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[krazeeboi]

It's been almost 4 years since this particular thread has been active, but I couldn't help but think about it after I read this article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about how VW officials have almost hired Tennesseans exclusively for the new VW plant in Chattanooga, only about 10 miles from the TN-GA border.

Quote

Three years ago, when Georgia learned it was out of the running for a billion-dollar Volkswagen car factory, state officials rallied behind neighboring Tennessee’s bid...

When the Germans chose a site outside Chattanooga, within 10 miles of the state line, Georgia officials were ecstatic. They anticipated hundreds of jobs for North Georgians. They expected auto-parts suppliers to set up shop as far south as Cherokee County. Frank Fischer, in charge of the VW factory, said, “There should be no doubt that Georgia will benefit.”

Earlier this month, Volkswagen unveiled the new Passat it will build in Chattanooga. Roughly 1,300 workers have been hired to manufacture the snazzy sedan. Not one, though, lives in Georgia. In addition, not a single, new VW parts supplier has opened south of the border.

VW officials say that since TN offered over $500 million in tax breaks and incentives, Tennesseans are the ones who are favored for the jobs. But there is nothing legally preventing VW officials from hiring Georgians. And the Kia plant in West Point, GA, near the AL state line, has one-fourth of its workforce living in Alabama.