US City Prepping Incentives to Keep BFNAT Tech Centre

Reacting to Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s stated desire to upgrade its research and development facilities in the US, city, county and state officials in Ohio are working to develop an incentive package designed to keep those operations in Akron. In January BFNAT announced that it wanted a new technical centre and were considering a few options: invest millions in rehabbing its nearly century old current facility at the old Firestone world headquarters in south Akron, or build new facilities in either Akron or Nashville.

Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic said earlier this week that Akron plans to present its proposal within the next two months. It is not known what incentives Nashville may be prepared to offer. BFNAT is already headquartered there, as it its parent Bridgestone America Holdings. BFNAT employs some 1,000 people in Akron, including 600 at its technical center.

The tyremaker expects to make its decision on the location by the end of this year. (Tire Review/Akron)