Whirlpool opening new plant in Tennessee

— Appliance maker Whirlpool is opening its new manufacturing plant in East Tennessee, replacing a 123-year-old facility.

The $200 million project adds about 130 jobs to the Whirlpool workforce of 1,500 people in Cleveland, Tenn.

U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson is expected to join Whirlpool Corp. Chairman and CEO Jeff M. Fettig at the grand opening ceremony Tuesday.

The facility of about a million square feet includes a plant making premium cooking products and a distribution center.

Meantime, Whirlpool is readying to vacate its Fort Smith plant, leaving about 800 without jobs. At its peak in 2005, it employed more than 4,600 in the area.

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