ATHENS, Tenn. — DENSO, an automotive components manufacturer, says 200 new jobs will be created when it expands its operations in Athens, Tennessee with a $100 million investment.

The expansion will add 54,560 square feet of new production space and renovate existing areas, solidify DENSO’s status as the largest employer in McMinn County, according to a release from Tennessee’s Department of Economic and Community Development.

The expansion will increase the Athens site’s footprint to 879,000 square feet, allowing the facility’s 1,444 employees to manufacture a broader range of DENSO’s products, including the latest heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The release says these systems are designed to enhance passenger comfort and improve the efficiency of traditional, hybrid, and electric vehicles.

Local leaders, including McMinn County Mayor John Gentry and Athens Mayor Steven Shirlin, welcomed the expansion, highlighting its positive impact on the community and local economy.

“This investment will create hundreds of quality jobs and will continue McMinn County’s longstanding partnership with DENSO,” Gentry said.

You can learn more about applying for a job at DENSO here.