Nissan partners with local Habitat chapter

Nissan North America has partnered with Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity to sponsor the building of a home in Smyrna.

"It is wonderful," said Beth Smith, executive director of the local Habitat chapter. "That is a full house sponsorship so that is a home that we are able to build that we already have money for."

It costs about $60,000 to build a Habitat home in Rutherford County.

Smith said 10 percent of the donation will be tithed to a third world country, which will allow for the construction of a second home.

Nissan North America has entered into a one-year, $1 million partnership with Habitat for Humanity to support current projects. Nissan will build a total of 10 homes in Michigan, Tennessee, Mississippi and Texas and through international Habitat affiliates in Brazil, Mexico and Canada.

“We are proud to support Habitat for Humanity in its efforts to make affordable housing possible for families around the world,” said Dominique Thorman, NNA senior vice-president finance and administration. “This partnership reinforces our global vision to improve the quality of life in the communities in which Nissan operates and provides an opportunity for our employees to make a difference in the very neighborhoods where they work.”

Smith said homes will be constructed where Nissan has ties, including Nashville where its temporary North American headquarters are located and in Cool Springs where the permanent headquarters are being constructed.

Employees of the Nissan's Smyrna manufacturing facility are expected to participate in the building on the Habitat home.

"I am excited about finally being able to partner with Nissan," Smith said. She hopes Nissan employees will enjoy volunteering and will continue to give their time to Habitat.

Construction on the Nissan-sponsored home will begin in September, she said. A building lot has yet to be purchased.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization that was formed to help eliminated substandard housing. Homes are built through volunteer labor, in-kind donations, discounted materials and through partnerships. Low-income families selected for the program purchase the home with a no-interest loan and assist in the building of their and other Habitat homes.

Rutherford County Habitat Humanity plans to construct seven homes this year.

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