AKRON (April 19, 2011) — After a delay brought on by the nation's credit crisis, Goodyear finally broke ground April 18 on its new global headquarters complex in Akron.
On hand for the private ceremony near the company´s Innovation Center were Goodyear Chairman, President and CEO Richard J. Kramer, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic and Summit County Executive Russ Pry. After some brief remarks, they were joined by a number of federal, state and local officials with shovels in hand to help start construction at the worksite.
The project, announced a few years ago, is scheduled to be completed in early 2013. At that time, Goodyear will relocate about 2,000 employees into the building, which will serve as headquarters for the company´s global operations and North American tire business.
The new building will connect with the tire maker´s existing Innovation Center and serve as a central campus for the company in Akron. The Innovation Center currently is home to more than 800 employees.
As part of the agreement, Goodyear will lease the office space through 2038 and have potential options through 2093.