Bell expanding helicopter production in East Tenn.

Bell Helicopter expanding, plans 125 new jobs in Piney Flats, Tenn. production facility

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Bell Helicopter Inc. will add a second manufacturing plant in Piney Flats, Tenn.

Gov. Bill Haslam and other state officials announced Thursday that the $10.1 million investment in Sullivan County is expected to create 125 new jobs.

The expanded operations will take place in a 150,000-square-foot-building Bell bought near its current facility.

Bell Executive Vice President Eric Cardinali said the growing demand for commercial helicopters was outpacing production capacity at the company's current plant in East Tennessee.