Chattanooga Council members meet Tuesday night to discuss the cost of landing Volkswagen.  A resolution before the council would allow the city to borrow up to $40 million to cover work related to the VW plant.

One of the expenses is for a new welcome center.  A sign just one exit away on Interstate 75 from the planned VW plant already says Willkommen.  And one day soon, a welcome center will back-up that greeting just off Exit 9.  Council Vice Chair Jack Benson says "we've been talking about a welcome center on that side of town ever since I've been in office, we've thought I-75 needed something to let us slow people down and introduce Chattanooga and the area as a possible place for them to come and work and live and retire."

Millions of vehicles pass through this stretch of Interstate 75 every year, making it a prime location to pass along information about Chattanooga and Volkswagen to visitors.

While specifics for the multi-million dollar facility remain undetermined, Benson believes it will be similar to other welcome centers, with rest areas and brochures and information about employers other than just VW.

"Why the city is taking the full hit on the 40 million?" asked Councilwoman Sally Robinson during an agenda session this afternoon.  City leaders debated a $40 million dollar bond issue for the welcome center and a host of other incentives tied to luring Volkswagen.  Benson says that bond would include "site preparation, storm water, other things and its got to be there because we've got to be ready to move."

The resolution also lists improving railroad lines, a training center, roads, sewers, fire station and related equipment, and telecommunications as potential expenses.

Turns out, council members aren't being asked to spend all that money.  Instead, they'll use bonds to reimburse the city later for actual expenses at Enterprise South.

While obligations at Enterprise South may cost the city and county $40 million dollars each, state expenses could double that.

The council may amend the wording of the resolution tonight to include funds to relocate a wetlands area at Enterprise South.  Problems developed this afternoon with efforts to acquire a state grant to pay for that project.