Fifty-seven sites have now been certified through the program
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development today announced three new Select Tennessee Certified Sites.
Launched in 2012, the Select Tennessee program helps communities prepare industrial sites for private investment and job creation. The program sets rigorous standards to give companies detailed and reliable information during the site selection process.
Fifty-seven sites across Tennessee have now been certified. The newest certified sites and their local sponsoring agencies include:
- Halls Industrial Site – Town of Halls
- Interchange Business Park – City of Crossville and Cumberland County
- Walker East Industrial Park – City of Ripley
“Having a strong lineup of shovel-ready sites in Tennessee is one of our main advantages when recruiting companies to our state,” Rolfe said. “With the assistance of the Select Tennessee Certified Site program, we are not only making sure our Tennessee communities are ahead of the game in economic development, it also reassures companies that Tennessee is taking the initiative to make sure our state is the perfect location for companies looking to build new manufacturing facilities or expand existing operations.”
To date, 16 companies have invested $1.5 billion in capital investment to construct facilities on certified sites, accounting for more than 6,600 new job commitments.
The Select Tennessee certification process ensures that each certified site meets high quality standards. Qualifications for certification include having at least 20 acres of developable land for industrial operations, documented environmental conditions and geotechnical analysis, existing onsite utilities or a formal plan to extend utilities to the site, and truck-quality road access.
The Select Tennessee suite of programs ensures that Tennessee sites are primed for development, whether through marketing sites that are ready for prospective businesses or providing local communities guidance to achieve a higher level of preparedness.
TNECD has partnered with Austin Consulting to administer the certified sites program.
“The strength of the economy has increased private-sector demand for competitive industrial sites” Charles Slife, location consultant at Austin Consulting, said. “Through the Select Tennessee Certified Sites Program, communities across Tennessee are positioning properties for significant capital investment and job creation. Tennessee’s three newest certified sites have undergone thorough vetting and have been or will be graded, making them particularly compelling locations for manufacturing investment.”
Communities interested in participating in the program must begin the formal application process by sending their letter of intent to [email protected]. More information about the program can be found at http://www.tnecd.com/sites/certified-sites/apply-now/.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies that help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment to the state and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
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