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EDC reports new inquiries, site activity and a $97,000 recreational master-plan grant
Summary
Giles County Economic Development staff said unemployment fell in April, multiple state requests for information have arrived, the Evelyn Building is being marketed for a potential $22 million project, Lot 15 was offered for a large distribution/manufacturing prospect, and a $97,000 grant was applied for a countywide outdoor master plan.
The Giles County Economic Development Commission reported several new business inquiries, site activity and planning steps for county assets.
At the meeting an EDC representative said the county unemployment rate fell from 3.9% to 3.5% in April and the labor force remained near 13,000. The office received six state Requests for Information (RFIs) since the last report; four requests sought large acreage that the county does not currently own, while two sought an existing building.
The EDC said it submitted the Evelyn Building (a roughly 70,000-square-foot structure near Bennett Drive and Industrial Boulevard) in response to an RFI for a manufacturer seeking 30,000–50,000 square feet; that project showed a potential $22 million capital investment and roughly 100 jobs if located here. Another prospect, referred to as Project Lift, sought up to 800,000 square feet or a greenfield site of about 30–40 acres; the EDC offered Lot 15 (an 82-acre parcel) and said it could subdivide that lot to meet the prospect’s needs.
Site work on the Amos Hamlet project has started; officials expect completion in late July or early August depending on weather. The EDC also described a recertification effort under Tennessee’s ‘‘three-star’’ community program; that review led to three priority assets, the first of which is a countywide outdoor recreation master plan. The EDC said it had applied for a $97,000 grant to fund that master plan; the grant requires no local match.
The EDC update noted ongoing attention to the Interstate 65 corridor, particularly Exit 14, and said ownership and potential auction proceedings at property there remain uncertain while heirs and estate steps are completed. The EDC said leaders plan an inventory of any buyers and will evaluate development options that could maximize sales tax revenue.
On a separate economic note, the EDC addressed a filing of bankruptcy by Morelli (a local company). The EDC representative said the company had filed for restructuring that could allow continued operations; local leaders reported Morelli has picked up new business, is recruiting, and has had a capital infusion the EDC estimated around $1.1 million to support operations.
The EDC representative invited commissioners and residents to request more detailed information via email or phone.
Note: information on potential projects is preliminary and based on RFIs and developer interest; no contracts or incentives were approved at the meeting.
