Council approves Enterprise Zone expansion to accommodate Pepsi Mid America

The Marion City Council voted to add territory to the Williamson County Enterprise Zone and approved Amendment No. 5 to the intergovernmental agreement to reflect updated state rules and the prospective expansion by Pepsi Mid America.

A council member told the council the Enterprise Zone board and staff recommended the change after discussing a request from Pepsi Mid America to add territory in anticipation of a major expansion. The board voted unanimously to accept the territory addition and forwarded the matter to each municipality and the county for ordinance approval. "They've got a ... contemplating a major expansion there and this would qualify them for some State help," the presenter said. The council moved to approve Ordinance 3988 and the amendment and approved both by roll call (Commissioners Patton, Webb, Stan and Mayor Michael Ader voting yes; Commissioner Barwick absent).

Councilors clarified whether a previously discussed donation of a small parcel by Pepsi for a possible veterans memorial park would be affected; staff said it would not. The presenter also noted a state rule change that increased the allowable acreage for such zone additions (the speaker referenced a change from 15 acres to 20 acres).

Why it matters: Enterprise zones can make projects eligible for state incentives tied to job creation and capital investment. Council members said the amendment and territory addition are administrative steps to ensure the city and county can include the site should Pepsi move forward. No final project details were provided during the meeting.

Next steps: The ordinances and the intergovernmental amendment were approved; any future economic incentives or local land transfers would be considered separately if and when Pepsi makes a formal project filing.