Land transfer for ZF expansion finalized

GAINESVILLE - The Gainesville City Council Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution that finalizes a land transfer that will lead to more jobs in the city's Industrial Park West.

The resolution authorizes the transfer of 23 acres for a major expansion of the German auto transmission producer's Gainesville plant, which opened in the late 1980s.

ZF already has more than 300 employees. The expansion, which will be used to build transmissions to fill a contract for Nissan, means another 80 jobs and an additional $41 million investment.

Mayor Myrtle Figueras said it's good economic news that could not come at a better time.

"ZF is such a great corporate partner," Figueras said. "All of us should be thankful that they decided to locate here."

http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/7/211548