MILAN, Tenn. — Love's Travel Stops is planning to set up a tire retread and distribution facility in Milan, in western Tennessee, pending approval of state and local incentives.
Love's is budgeting $8.8 million for the project, which would be the Oklahoma City-based truck stop operator's fifth retread plant. Love's opened four Oliver Rubber-system plants in 2016 as part of its plan to improve its tire business.
Love's is planning to acquire a 200,000-sq.-ft. facility in Milan and convert it to a retread plant and tire distribution center, according to information released by the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development (TNECD). The facility would employ up to 80 individuals at full capacity.
Milan is a city of about 8,000 in western Tennessee about halfway between Nashville and Memphis.
"Purchasing this facility makes perfect sense for our commitment to be the industry leader in the tire retread space," Christopher Oberst, general manager of retread distribution for Love's, said.
"The Milan area has a strong labor market, and it's in a great location near several key interstates. We believe this facility will play a significant role in further strengthening our ability to deliver the best value to our customers."
The new facility will be the largest of its kind for Love's, according to the TNECD.
Gibson County Mayor Tom Witherspoon called Love's announcement "great news" for both Milan and Gibson County, saying it "reflects the fact that Gibson County is a great location for industry to locate and expand."
Gov. Bill Lee said this "sizable investment by Love's in Gibson County is an encouraging sign, and I look forward to the many ways these new jobs will strengthen the economy in Milan and improve the lives of our residents."
State Sen. John Stevens (R – Huntingdon) noted that Love's investment will have a "positive spillover effect" on surrounding communities in terms of economic development and new and better-paying jobs.
Love's operates more than 490 Travel Centers across the U.S., including 330 with Love's Truck Tire Care centers on site and Speedco locations.
The parties did not elaborate on the what incentives are being offered or how long it might take to get them approved.