In today69制片厂制作传媒檚 global economy, industrial companies drive innovation, job creation and economic transformation. For rural communities, developing industrial parks is crucial for attracting jobs and securing long-term prosperity.
To support communities lacking resources, Tennessee created the Select Tennessee initiative, a suite of programs led by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) that provides the funding and expertise needed to create market-ready industrial sites.
Launching the Select Tennessee Certified Sites Program
Under the Haslam administration, the Select Tennessee Certified Sites program addressed the need to improve the quantity and quality of the state69制片厂制作传媒檚 industrial sites. In 2011, TNECD evaluated industry standards and best practices in other states to develop its own approach to industrial site certification.
聽In 2013, the first Select Tennessee Certified Sites were unveiled, including one in Clarksville that secured Hankook Tire's $800 million investment, representing 1,800 new jobs. This milestone demonstrated the transformative power of certified sites in catalyzing economic growth and job creation.
Innovative Solutions for Industrial Site Development
Despite Select Tennessee introducing innovative solutions to tackle the challenges of industrial site development, many communities presented properties for certification that failed to meet the program69制片厂制作传媒檚 rigorous standards. To provide a better framework, the Property Evaluation Program (PEP) was established to assess site viability and help communities prioritize high-potential properties.
As communities began building a pipeline of viable sites through PEP, the next challenge was improving those properties to meet certification standards. The Site Development Grant (SDG) program was introduced to fund infrastructure improvements like environmental assessments, roads and utilities. Funded by the Tennessee General Assembly, SDG featured a tiered approach to grant match rates, ensuring that resource-limited communities could create competitive industrial sites.
This comprehensive suite of programs formed a clear pathway for Tennessee communities to position their properties among the best in the state.
Empowering Tennesseans Through Strategic Site Development
The program69制片厂制作传媒檚 success has enhanced the state69制片厂制作传媒檚 economic landscape and profoundly impacted the lives of Tennesseans. To date, 76 sites have achieved certification, attracting $4 billion in capital investment and creating nearly 10,300 new jobs. The projects below go beyond numbers69制片厂制作传媒攖hey represent transformative opportunities for individuals and their families across the state.
Magna - Lawrenceburg: This project brought 250 jobs and a capital investment of approximately $200 million to the region. Magna69制片厂制作传媒檚 facility produces truck frames for Ford Motor Company69制片厂制作传媒檚 BlueOval City and represents the vital connection between the state69制片厂制作传媒檚 rural areas and its automotive industry.
Tyson Foods Inc. - Humboldt: Tyson69制片厂制作传媒檚 $300 million investment created 1,500 jobs in Gibson County, providing stable employment in a region where economic opportunities were limited.
Ebm-papst, Inc. - Johnson City: With a $37 million investment and 200 new jobs, this project highlights Tennessee69制片厂制作传媒檚 capacity to attract global leaders in advanced manufacturing.
Navigating Challenges and Driving Future Innovation
Despite its success, Select Tennessee recognizes the need to address ongoing challenges. In the last year, the program has introduced new guidelines that allow our department to fund speculative building construction, and we have increased the maximum site development grant amount from $1 million to $5 million. These efforts aim to attract the industries each community seeks, ensure that sites remain aligned with emerging trends, and promote a more balanced distribution of economic opportunities statewide, all while enhancing Tennessee69制片厂制作传媒檚 industrial readiness for the future.
Building a Stronger Future Through Strategic Investment
Select Tennessee exemplifies how strategic planning, innovation and collaboration foster the conditions to transform a state69制片厂制作传媒檚 economic landscape. From its site evaluation and preparation programs to its rigorous certification process, the initiative has empowered communities to attract top-tier manufacturers and create opportunities for economic growth.
As industries continue to evolve, initiatives like Select Tennessee demonstrate the importance of staying ahead of the curve69制片厂制作传媒攂uilding not just infrastructure but also pathways to prosperity.
Author69制片厂制作传媒檚 Note
We want to give a special thank you to our invaluable partners: Austin Consulting, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The development and success of Select Tennessee would not be possible without their critical expertise.
