MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP, abc24.com) - Electrolux officials say they are committed to awarding contracts to local businesses and companies owned by minorities and women for construction of its $266 million kitchen appliances manufacturing plant in Memphis.
Electrolux detailed the steps it's taking to give contracts for the construction project during a news conference Tuesday attended by the mayors of Memphis and surrounding Shelby County.
Officials have raised concerns that Electrolux would not award contracts to locally-owned businesses, or those owned by minorities and women, even though the company is receiving more than $150 million in tax breaks from city, county and state governments.
Electrolux says it intends to spend more than half of the $80 million construction project locally. Of the $15.3 million spent on construction so far, $14.5 million has gone to local companies.
