Whirlpool Corporation opened its $200 million new manufacturing facility and distribution center in Cleveland, Tennessee.

"We are proud to have more U.S. manufacturing employees than all of our major competitors combined and today's ceremony further signifies Whirlpool Corporation's confidence in the Cleveland, Tennessee workforce and in U.S. manufacturing in general," said Jeff Fettig, chairman and chief executive officer for Whirlpool Corporation. "The advanced production here supports the growth of our premium cooking products business, which includes some of the most innovative ranges, ovens and cooktops offered in the marketplace."

This new, 1-million-square-foot production facility and 400,000 square foot distribution center, demonstrate the company's commitment to delivering the world's most innovative cooking products, the Whirlpool official said. The plant includes some of the most energy efficient and technologically advanced manufacturing processes and is expected to obtain LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Located at Benton Pike and Durkee Road, the new facility will add 130 jobs, replacing a 123-year old plant just a few miles away. The full transition to the new facility is expected to be complete by mid-2013.

"I want to congratulate all the people at Whirlpool on 100 years of making things here in America. Today, CEOs both in the U.S. and abroad are seeing places like Cleveland, Tennessee, and they're saying `That's where I want my next factory to go,'" said U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson. "They see our research and development, our supply chains, the quality of our products, and our talented workforce. There is simply no comparison. American competitiveness and American innovation are full speed ahead."

While final details were not available, the state, county and city created an incentive package that included grant funding and tax incentives to persuade the firm to expand in the area.