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Giles County economic development office reports steady unemployment, site-development grant cleared for bids; energy needs limit some prospects
Summary
The Giles County Economic Development update reported a 3.6% unemployment rate, new business inquiries including potential data-center interest that could require large energy upgrades, and a state-approved grading plan for a site-development grant that will go out to bid March 14.
Mister Reese, speaking for the county economic development office, told the Giles County Board of Commissioners that the county's unemployment rate remained about 3.6% and that overall labor-force figures were little changed for December.
The update focused on business inquiries and infrastructure constraints. Reese said three of four recent state-led project requests required only buildings, limiting Giles County's ability to submit bids; the fourth requested a roughly 100-acre site and would require an immediate electricity ramp-up to about 20 megawatts, which the county could not meet without significant investment and coordination with TVA and other utilities. "That would require some pretty significant investment globally by BBS and then also some investments by TVA," Reese said.
Reese said a small share of inquiries ' "probably 5 to 10%" ' ask for energy needs beyond what the county can quickly supply. He also reported direct outreach from at least one party looking for land to build a data center and from a local manufacturer weighing whether to bring some manufacturing back from Asia; that business would need rail service and Reese said it could create jobs but that the expected capital investment "is not specified." Reese said discussions with the state and TVA are ongoing.
The county has completed a grading plan tied to a site-development grant; Reese said the plan was approved by the state and will be advertised for bids, with bids opening March 14. He also highlighted a recent career expo at the armory that drew about 800 students and more than 50 exhibitors, praising coordination with school leadership to handle a delayed start to the school day.
Why it matters: several potential projects could add jobs but face infrastructure constraints, notably electric capacity and rail access. County officials said they are continuing talks with utility and state partners to narrow the gap between prospect requirements and local capacity.
Reese returned to the commission for questions and said staff will continue to pursue opportunities and report back when bids and negotiations move forward.
