By Jessica Moore

Staff Writer

An investment decision by General Motors, announced in Spring Hill Tuesday by the UAW, will have a tremendous impact on workers at the General Motors Spring Hill plant and their families, and the local economy as a whole.

GM will invest $350,000,000 in the Spring Hill plant, and make two brand new vehicles there. These new product lines will employ 1,800 people, creating or retaining 1,800 jobs, and doubling the number of workers currently at the plant.

"This investment will be a huge bump to the economy, and it just shows that when United Auto Workers and General Motors work together, anything is possible in terms of creating jobs," said Mike Herron, UAW Local 1853 Chairman. "This will be a tremendous financial and economic boost."

The upcoming positions will be good middle class American jobs. They will be permanent positions, not temporary. Benefits and retirement plans will be available as well, Herron said.

GM has made no commitment as to what the specific vehicles are at this time for competitive reasons. The hiring process and when these jobs will become available has not been clarified yet, but could be within the next three years.

The Spring Hill plant currently makes the Chevrolet Equinox, four-cylinder Ecotec engines, and parts for other GM vehicles.

Herron, who lives in Chapel Hill, said he is deeply appreciative of County Mayor Joe Boyd Liggett and Marshall County officials and their endless efforts to support the UAW.

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander stated, "GM's announcement is more evidence that over the last 30 years Tennessee has become the best place in America to build cars and trucks. Congratulations to Spring Hill workers and Gov. Haslam for creating the environment for attracting these good new auto jobs."