ATHENS, Tenn. (WVLT) – DENSO will be expanding in Southeast Tennessee, bringing 200 jobs to its Athens location.

Gov. Bill Lee, along with Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter, made the announcement Thursday.

The expansion will also include a $100 million investment from the manufacturer, guaranteeing even further its status as the largest employer in McMinn County.

DENSO first established itself in Tennessee by building a location in Maryville in 1988. In 1997, it expanded into Athens, producing components for car ignitions, exhaust and gas systems.

“DENSO is one of Tennessee’s largest employers, and I thank them for being a valued partner in creating greater opportunity for Tennesseans over nearly three decades,” Lee said. “This expansion underscores that the state with the workers will win every time, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact these 200 new jobs will bring to families in McMinn County.”

The Athens project will increase the facility’s footprint to 879,000 square feet and will allow the company to manufacture even more DENSO products, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) products.

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