Bridgestone Breaks Ground on New Tech Centre

Bridgestone Americas will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking tomorrow for its new $100 million technical centre in Akron, Ohio reports Tire Review. Company chairman, CEO and president Mark Emkes, as well as state and local officials, will be present. Bridgestone had debated moving near its national headquarters in Tennessee, but announced in 2008 that it had a preliminary deal to stay in Akron. That deal includes a $68 million public financing package offered by the state, county and city. The overall project, which includes a new 260,000-square-foot technical center at South Main Street and Firestone Boulevard, and neighborhood improvements, has been estimated at $102 million. The company expects workers to move into the building by late 2011 or early 2012, according to a report by the Akron Beacon Journal.