SEVIERVILLE (AP) — An automobile parts manufacturer that already has a presence in Morristown is opening a new plant in Sevierville.

The Mountain Press reports (http://bit.ly/112rkSD) Otics USA is investing $69.5 million in the facility and plans to create 117 new jobs there.

It will be the first business to locate in Sevier County's I-40 Industrial Park. Sevier County Economic Development Council Director Allen Newton said that getting the first tenant will give the county access to more state development funds.

Newton said there has been an infrastructure grant and an interstate connector grant. And the company received a grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Otics is buying about 29 of the industrial park's 120 acres. Construction is expected to start in the spring, and Otics hopes to be operational in early 2017.