Eastman CEO Brian Ferguson talks with Governor Bredesen
A BIG ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENT FROM A TRI CITIES COMPANY. TENNESSEE GOVERNOR PHIL BREDSEN WAS IN KINGSPORT AS OFFICIALS WITH EASTMAN SAY THEY HAVE MADE THE DECISION TO INVEST 1.3 BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO UPGRADE TECHNOLOGY, INFRASTRUCTURE, AND PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES AT THE COMPANY’S KINGSPORT MANUFACTURING FACILITY. THE PLAN CALLED “PROJECT REINVEST” CALLS FOR THE COMPANY TO SPEND AN AVERAGE OF 265 MILLION DOLLARS EACH YEAR, AND INCLUDES A UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN EASTMAN AND NORTHEAST STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE. THE PROJECT WILL DEVELOP CURRICULA AND IMPLEMENT TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR A NEW GENERATION OF MECHANICS, LAB ANALYSTS, AND CHEMICAL OPERATORS. EASTMAN PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER BRIAN FERGUSON SAID THE ANNOUNCEMENT MEANS THE COMPANY WILL REMAIN AN IMPORTANT DRIVER OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE REGION.