CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — Officials say the Coca-Cola Co. will build a new distribution center in Chattanooga, maintaining the company’s 115-year business relationship with the city.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports (http://bit.ly/QHPY6t ) that the $62 million distribution center will be built at the site of an old facility at Olan Mills.
At an official announcement Friday, elected officials and executives with Coca-Cola Bottling Co. United said the new facility will preserve 270 local jobs and create 43 more positions.
Work is expected to begin soon on the 305,000-square-foot administration and distribution facility. Operations are expected to begin in 16 to 18 months.
Chattanooga is a Coke distribution hub, having absorbed territories in Dalton, Ga., and Scottsboro, Ala., after the company withdrew from distribution services and increased its reliance on independent bottlers.
___Ericka Conley
