NASHVILLE — Gov. Phil Bredesen today announced that a delegation of Tennessee government, community and business leaders will travel to Germany in October and meet with Volkswagen AG officials to recruit VW suppliers to Southeast Tennessee.

“Our message to Volkswagen suppliers is simple: Tennessee is ready to offer the same world-class business climate to the automaker’s partner companies,” Gov. Bredesen said. “I’m convinced we will find a receptive audience for our message.”

A number of Hamilton County officials are expected to make the trip, including Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey.

The governor announced the trip during his keynote address at the 55th annual Governor’s Conference for Economic and Community Development. Tennessee’s Department of Economic and Community Development will be the state’s lead agency for the October trip and will invite representatives from communities around the Chattanooga region.

The initial meetings will focus on businesses based in Europe that will directly supply parts to either the Volkswagen plant or make parts for those suppliers, Gov. Bredesen said.

For complete details, see tomorrow’s Times Free Press