Posted: Tuesday, August 26, 2014 12:00 am
By Katey Hopkins – Reporter | Jefferson County, Tenn Standard Banner
Jefferson County’s Industrial Development Board is keeping the ball rolling with sites for potential development in the county. The board decided to take an option on two additional properties during their meeting Friday morning.
The IDB reviewed and analyzed many potential properties during their meeting Friday, weighing the pros and cons of each site. In the end, two properties made the cut. The first property, known as the Cameron Property, is located in White Pine just off of I-81 Exit 4. The property is approximately 40 acres and is located behind the Hess truck stop. Board members were notified by White Pine Alderman Fred Taylor that adjacent parcels to the land could be obtained, allowing for easier access to Roy Messer Highway.
The fact that the property’s edge runs along the interstate makes it a very attractive industrial site. With the new highway being developed nearby, which will bring more traffic to Exit 4, the board realized that the time to act on this property is now. Owners Laurence and Ruth Ann Cameron contacted the IDB following a recent notice in the paper seeking land suitable for development. The owners are offering the property up for a one-year option at a price of $1,100. After discussing the property’s attributes, board member Craig Kisabeth made the motion to take the option, asking for a one-year extension, but accepting as is if that is not agreeable. Daryle Keck made the second, and the motion passed unanimously.
The board also decided to take a six-month option on another property located in White Pine. This property is 76 acres located near the corner of Roy Messer Highway and C.H. Rankin Road, about one mile off of Exit 4. The property is adjacent to four other tracts of land whose owners are willing to sell. These adjacent properties total around 574 acres. The board again noted the upcoming development opportunities in White Pine, which also coincide with the results of White Pine’s recent citizen survey.Because the option is available free of cost, Kisabeth made the motion to take the six-month option. Board member Danny Shelton seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. The board also decided to make this property a top priority in the contract with Barge, Waggoner, Sumner, & Cannon, Inc. (BWSC) because the option is limited on time.
BWSC has agreed to provide initial screenings of these two new properties in addition to their work on the Kite property in Dandridge. The IDB is still in negotiations with the engineering firm on some wording in their contract. “That is moving forward, and we’re excited about that,” IDB Chairman Larry Masters said.
Other business
The board also looked at some properties that were suggested as a result of the TVA property evaluations. Most of the properties along I-40 exits 424, 412, 417, and I-81 Exit 4 were ruled out for a number of reasons: too hilly, too much water, or too many small parcels that would be difficult to assemble.
However, I-81 Exit 4 did have some suitable property as the board found in the options with which they moved forward.
The board also looked at a 300-acre potential industrial site on Flat Gap Road in Jefferson City. This property has been on previous TVA studies. The only issue with this property is the mountain of lime that sits on it. However, Garrett Wagley, Director of Economic Development for the Chamber of Commerce, assured the board that the lime would be easy and affordable to remove. The board decided that a walking or riding tour of the property would be necessary before making any further decisions.
Also Friday, Wagley gave a report on economic development for the county. He recently met with FIT USA, the new footwear plant in Jefferson City. Wagley reported that the business is doing well, hiring, and growing on pace. FIT USA is also considering applying for a Payment in Lieu of Taxes Incentive. Wagley also met with Wetekam, which is working on pace and completing some renovations to their building – located in the existing county industrial park in Dandridge. Wagley also said that the Chamber is working on a Shop at Home campaign, which they hope to launch in the next couple of months. IDB Treasurer Daryle Keck reported that it was too early in the month to have a financial report. Next month, Keck will present two months’ worth of reports.
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