A manufacturer of tactical footwear for law enforcement, military and emergency medical technicians is bringing a portion of its production to Tennessee, Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Haggerty announced on Tuesday.
Original Footwear will invest $10 million and create 182 new jobs when it begins its new manufacturing operations in Morristown, Tennessee.
Haslam said Tennessee’s “location, strong workforce and infrastructure” helped convince Original Footwear to operate in the state. The company recently purchased Tactical Holdings and Operations Inc. in Morristown and plans to add 65,000 square feet to its 110,000-square-foot facility.
“Job creation in today’s global economy is stimulated by efforts made both here in Tennessee as well as abroad, and we remain equally focused on regaining jobs from overseas markets to keep Tennessee companies competitive while providing more opportunities to our skilled workforce,” Hagerty said. “I appreciate Original Footwear for its decision to locate and invest in Morristown, and for its commitment to return top manufacturing jobs back to our state.”
Original Footwear’s decision to enter the state comes shortly after Wellco Enterprises – a military combat footwear company – announced this summer it was shutting down its Morristown operation, according to the Associated Press.