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Stefan Jacoby - President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.: "The Volkswagen Group is building its US factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee..."
Elation is the best way to describe the atmosphere as Volkswagen's CEO Stefan Jacoby made it official... The German Automakers $1 Billion auto plant is coming to Chattanooga.
Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey: "You have helped my dream come true today. Thank You."
Anticipation was building for months as the possibility became more of a reality. For weeks auto magazines said Volkswagon had passed Chattanooga over, but Friday Senator Bob Corker got the phone call.
Sen. Bob Corker: "I embarrassed myself...cause I was emotionally overwhelmed."
Seven months and the efforts of more than 100 Tennesseans at the local, state, and federal level paid off in a big way.
Gov. Phil Bredesen: "We were all in this together. We said we would make something happen and we did. I wish Washington would take note of what Tennessee can accomplish. (cheers)"
From Governor Bredesen's treck to TN 33 years ago with his wife and all their worldly possessions crammed in a Volkswagen Rabbit...to Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield's promise to buy his new VW if the news was good...everyone had a Volkswagen story.
Mayor Littlefield: "I know she's watching on one of those camera's back there, and probably recording."
But...In the end the Governor let the headlines say it all.... (hoisting paper)
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