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October 20, 2005
Anatomy of a Backpedal
Speaking before the Home Builders Association of Southeast Tennessee on Tuesday, Hamilton County Commission Chair Larry Henry was hopeful that, by the end of the week, a major company would announce that it was setting up shop at Enterprise South. He said that this unnamed company would initially bring 1,500 jobs before eventually providing 5,000 jobs. This news was first reported on Chattanoogan.com.
Later that day, as the public and the rest of the media got wind of the story, the Chattanoogan.com story was amended, removing the "end of the week" comments, reporting instead that Henry was "hopeful there will be an announcement soon." The story also said that city officials were not aware of any such planned announcement. Henry said that while he was hopeful to land such a company -- and though there are several prospects -- there is "no signed contract."
Also later that day, a visibly uncomfortable Henry told WDSI/WTVC reporter Tanya Mendis that "hopefully we're gonna be hearing something very soon on that. I don't think it's gonna be in the next few days, but it could be. It could be any time."
Henry wouldn't release the name of the megasite's posible tenant, but said it was a "major manufacturing concern." The mayor's office said that while some companies are interested in the site, any rumor of an actual announcement is just that, a rumor.
Henry further elaborated, "I think the last piece of the puzzle is just about ready to be put together."
On Wednesday, Henry told reporters that his previous remarks had been misconstrued and that he didn't mean that an immediate announcement was forthcoming; that such an announcement could take "up to a year or so, maybe less."
...He also said that a European auto manufacturer was interested in the site, but wouldn't divluge which one.
| By colrus | 10:35 AM
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