VW engine plant opens in Mexico
Volkswagen opened an engine plant in Mexico on Tuesday that will supply engines to both its production plant nearby in Puebla and its factory in Chattanooga.
The engine plant in Silao in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato is the Volkswagen Group's 100th plant worldwide, according to the company.
The plant is designed for annual capacity of 330,000 units. Investment was put at $550 million. VW will create more than 700 jobs at the plant in the medium term.
In 2010, Chattanooga had vied for the engine plant before VW announced it was putting it in Silao.
First Things First wins Claris work
Chattanooga technology company Claris Networks has awarded First Things First $200,000 in technology and support as the winner of Claris' Cloud Giveaway.
Larry Bodie, CEO of Claris Networks, said First Things First will get technology infrastructure and support from Claris as part of the company.
"We are thrilled to partner with First Things First," Bodie said. "They run that organization with the highest degree of excellence, and it's easy to see how it has influenced the community profoundly."
The nonprofit was chosen for the aid by a group of local community volunteers. First Things First employs 13 people and works to strengthen families through education, seminars and collaborative programs.
Chattanooga Whiskey gets Twitter check
Chattanooga Whiskey Co. has been verified by Twitter with a blue check mark to verify the authenticity of the local company.
Although Chattanooga Whiskey is still waiting for legislative approval to distill its whiskey in Chattanooga, the company is marketing and selling a whiskey it contracts to buy from a distiller in Indiana.
Chattanooga Whiskey has garnered more than 18,500 Facebook friends and has relied upon social media to promote its product. Chattanooga Whiskey is among only a half dozen local companies and public figures for whom Twitter has given a blue check mark to verify their identity.