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West Tennessee Megasite Authority says core infrastructure is in place as Ford shifts product plans
Summary
The West Tennessee Mega Site Authority told the House finance committee the site has completed water, sewer and road infrastructure for Ford, opened a TCAT training center in June 2024, and continues leasing about 300 acres while pursuing future prospects; the authority says Ford’s accountability agreement and job targets remain unchanged despite product shifts.
Mister Bridal, speaking for the West Tennessee Mega Site Authority, told the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 9 that core infrastructure to support Ford’s plant is complete and that workforce and supplier development remain ongoing. He said the state began supplying water to Ford in November 2023 and started receiving sewer in 2024. A Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) campus on the site opened in June 2024 to begin workforce training.
The authority described road work by the Tennessee Department of Transportation and a completed water and wastewater treatment plant built by the Department of General Services. Bridal said the authority has set up an enterprise fund to handle operations for the water and wastewater plant and has just closed its first fiscal year (FY 2025).
Bridal said the TCAT program “pivoted” after Ford’s production plan changed away from a full electric-vehicle model to incorporate combustion-engine work, and the training curriculum has been adjusted to serve the region’s manufacturing needs. Chairman Williams asked whether the shift affected contractual accountability with Ford and SK; Bridal said the 10-year accountability agreement’s term and job numbers remain the same even if job types have changed.
The authority said most of the site has been built out for four lead projects but that roughly 300 acres on the east side of State Road 222 remain leased to a farmer while the authority and state economic-development partners (including ECD and local development officials) work to identify the highest-and-best use. Bridal also noted ongoing coordination with the state fire marshal for certificates of occupancy and with the Tennessee Power Distribution Company to plan a proposed natural-gas peaking plant on the property.
Members pressed for a target production date; Bridal said he has heard 2029 for Ford’s production timeframe but said exact timing for SK’s role and product specifics remain to be confirmed. The committee heard that Ford has invested substantially in the nearby region, including school and community investments, and members said the status of training and supplier development will remain a focus as the project progresses.
The committee did not take formal action on the megasite presentation; Bridal took questions and the committee moved to its next scheduled hearing.
