While Chrysler was shutting down its plant in Kenosha, it is adding over 1,000 jobs in Belvidere in Congressman Don Manzullo’s district. His press release follows:

Rep. Manzullo Hails Chrysler’s $600 Million
Investment in its Belvidere Assembly Plant

Decision to upgrade plant preserves 1,950 jobs, could spark 3rd shift

(BELVIDERE) Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) today congratulated the workers at Chrysler’s Belvidere Assembly plant for their hard work that convinced the automaker to invest heavily in the plant to build Chrysler’s next line of vehicles.

Belvidere Chrysler Plant

Chrysler announced today it is investing more than $600 million in upgrades to the building, tooling and equipment at the Belvidere plant, including constructing a new 638,000-square-foot body shop as well as upgrades to the body sealer lines, paint facilities and the trim/chassis/final assembly operations. Work has already begun and is expected to be completed next year. The first new vehicles will roll off the production lines in 2012.

Chrysler has not yet announced the new lineup of vehicles that will be assembled in Belvidere.

The upgrades will preserve the jobs of 1,950 workers at the plant and could lead to a third shift and an extra 1,000 jobs at the plant if sales of the new vehicles warrant increased production. The project will also retain another 500 contractor positions on site.

Don Manzullo

“This tremendous announcement by Chrysler expresses confidence in the fine workers at the Belvidere Assembly Plant. Without their commitment, training, and flexibility, we might not be here today,” Manzullo said.

“In the past, this plant has received high reviews from industry experts, so I am greatly pleased that Chrysler confirmed this assessment by ensuring this job engine for the Rock River Valley is going to be modernized and utilized for many years to come.”

Manzullo has continually fought back efforts in Congress to raise taxes on foreign direct investment in America that would have hurt Chrysler – owned by Italy’s Fiat – and many other companies in northern Illinois.

Manzullo, who has worked to open overseas markets to U.S. exports, added that the Belvidere Assembly plant in 2009 exported a whopping 56 percent of total production to markets all around the world, including 13,500 vehicles to Mexico alone.