{ full article here } A French company on Thursday became the second automotive supplier in two days to unveil plans for a new factory in the area as Chattanooga officials await word on a Volkswagen plant expansion. Plastic Omnium Auto Exteriors LLC said it will invest $65 million to build a plant at Chattanooga’s Enterprise South industrial park and …

{ full article here } BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – The historic, fire-surviving Powell School property is very close to getting new life as a multimillion-dollar apartment project. Atlanta’s Integral Group is in final negotiations to purchase the property and invest $3.5-$4.5 million converting the old school into 22-26 apartments. Powell School, at 2329 Sixth Ave. North, was built in 1888 and …

{ full article here } If Volkswagen green-lights production of a new sport utility vehicle in Chattanooga, it will be viewed as one of Tennessee’s biggest economic development wins of the year. “It certainly would be really large,” said Dr. Bill Fox, who heads the University of Tennessee’s Center for Business and Economic Research. If the estimates are right, the …

{ full article here } Catoosa County, Ga., is projected to more than double in population by 2055 and grow from about 64,000 residents now to 140,000 then — an increase of 119 percent. The county on Interstate 75 south of Chattanooga that’s largely a bedroom community is expected to see the biggest percentage bump in population over the next …

{ Rock’s own Justin Uffinger discusses the Chattanooga Market } At least once a month during the three years James Davis lived in his East Brainerd apartment complex, a moving truck would roll in in the middle of the night and a family would quietly pack up and head out under cover of darkness. “They realized they couldn’t afford things …

{ full article here } MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Gov. Robert Bentley today announced plans by Verizon Wireless to expand operations at its call center in Huntsville. The company plans to add more than 300 full-time customer service positions at the call center, said Michelle Robinson, vice president of government affairs health insurance that begins on the first day of employment.

{ full article here } Coca-Cola Bottling Company United today announced that Chattanooga is getting the $62 million distribution center which will create 43 new jobs and occupy the old Olan Mills site off Shepard Road near Highway 153. The announcement follows months of speculation about whether Coke would choose Chattanooga or go out of state. Until today, Coke officials …

{ full article here } Real estate investors are plunging into the high tide of college enrollments, and they build luxury for the top 10 percent. Here’s what’s going up in Tuscaloosa and Auburn for the most affluent — or lavishly indebted — scholars. Marketing phrases like “World Class Luxury” and “Student Living Redefined” are among those used in Tuscaloosa …

{ full article here } U.S. Sen. Bob Corker said today that the United Auto Workers’ withdrawl of its appeal to February’s union vote at the Chattanooga Volkswagen plant opens the way to re-engage with the company to attract a potential expansion. “It’s a shame the UAW slowed the momentum on our expansion conversations with Volkswagen, but now it’s time …

{ full article here and video } Hamilton County planners today approved going ahead with $100 million in proposed new housing and commercial space on Chattanooga’s waterfront downtown. The initial phase of the Cameron Harbor development is to launch in May with site construction and pre-sales of 20 single family homes and 19 luxury townhomes off Riverfront Parkway between M.L. …