Wacker ON Track!

     Despite reports of a slow down, Wacker Chemical is on schedule.
     An online energy financial newsletter quoted an un-known Wacker source as saying the company hasn't made the final decision on the Bradley County plant.
     But Bradley County officials say otherwise.
     WDEF News 12's Mandy Odom has the details in a News 12 Update.
     Gary Farlow with the Cleveland Bradley Chamber of Commerce says, "They're anxious to get started on the project." 
     Gary Farlow with the Cleveland Bradley Chamber of Commerce just spent a week with Wacker officials firming up details for the 1 billion dollar polycrystalline silicon factory.
     He's says there's no slow down on the project.
     Farlow says, "The company has approved the planning for it, but they haven't approved the actual construction part, but that's normal." "They approve their projects in stages, and they budget money when the appropriate time comes." 
     Farlow says Wacker is serious about the project.
     Right now, they've approved the planning and design phase; which is the basic site design and getting the building permits.
     Farlow says this is a long, complex phase.
     Designers have to plan everything for the business like water, sewer, gas, and telephone lines, as well as an access road to the property.
     And all of that requires permits.
     Farlow says, "This is a very complex type of project. So, not everybody can build one of these things. They'll be doing that in the next year or so. So, there's a lot of activity going on, just not a lot of visible activity right now." 
     Farlow says Wacker may actually be accelerating their schedule to secure federal tax credits.
     Wacker plans to break ground on the site in late 2010.
     In Bradley County, Mandy Odom, WDEF News 12.
     Wacker plans to start production in 2013 and employee 500 people at the Tennessee plant.