CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A supplier of industrial gases is considering an expansion in Clarksville that will add 16 jobs paying an average of $95,000 per year.
Airgas/Air Liquide is located in the Industrial Park on Boolean Drive at the southeast corner of the Google Data Center property. The facility provides oxygen, nitrogen and other gases to its customers and is competing to become the primary gas supplier to the LG Chem factory under construction in Clarksville, according to a presentation by company officials at Wednesday’s meeting of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Industrial Development Board.
Air Liquide, the global corporate owner of Airgas Tennessee, is based in Paris and has North American headquarters in Houston. Globally, they have operations in 73 countries and employ 67,100 people.
Airgas also operates a retail store in Clarksville at 161 W. Dunbar Cave Road.
In Clarksville, they are looking to expand to a total 48 employees with this $100 million expansion, with hiring expected in 2026. To make that happen, Air Liquide requested a 10-year Tier 3 46% PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement from the IDB.
The expansion will require building more underground pipelines at the site and may require additional land at another site for a power substation.
During discussion at the IDB meeting, company officials said the expansion will happen regardless of whether they win the LG Chem contract. Their presence in the Industrial Park was touted by Vice President of Industrial Development Josh Ward as a key asset, with recruiters able to tell prospective industries that a gas supplier is already at the site.
The company produces medical-grade oxygen, nitrogen usable in liquid form for freezing, and the industrial gas argon, all key components in various industries.
During questions from board members, Economic Development Council President and CEO Buck Dellinger confirmed that “claw-back” provisions will be included in the agreement to ensure that the promised jobs and pay rates will be honored.
The IDB unanimously approved the PILOT.
