- Counties include Henderson, Johnson, McNairy, Scott and Sequatchie.
- All participants represent rural counties, including two distressed counties, McNairy and Scott.
- PEP originates from the department’s Select Tennessee Certified Site Program.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) announced today the counties chosen to participate in the latest round of the Select Tennessee Property Evaluation Program (PEP).
The counties selected include Henderson, Johnson, McNairy, Scott and Sequatchie. All participants in this round of the program represent rural counties, including two distressed counties, McNairy and Scott.
Started in 2015, PEP is designed to improve the inventory of industrial sites and buildings in Tennessee. The program evaluates potential properties, advising counties on where investment may be most beneficial and how sites can be improved to attract prospective companies. Prior to this round, 47 counties have participated in PEP.
PEP originates from the department’s Select Tennessee Certified Site Program. With the assistance of site selection firm Austin Consulting, PEP benefits participating counties by providing guidance on site planning for future industrial development projects.
For counties selected to participate, PEP includes an on-site visit by Austin Consulting and TNECD, an educational webinar on the site selection process and a comprehensive assessment addressing the strengths and needs of a community’s inventory of industrial sites. This assessment also offers recommendations for communities to improve marketability.
PEP selection was based on the demonstrated local need for industrial properties and the county’s ability to assemble viable properties with market potential.
The application process begins with the submission of a letter of intent, which is accepted at any time. Upon receipt of the letter, interested communities will be provided with the PEP application. A new round of communities will be accepted into the program in the fall of 2019. For more details on PEP, click here.
QUOTES
“PEP helps local communities attract and grow businesses in Tennessee and creates high-quality jobs in the process. Thanks to PEP, we’re identifying even more opportunities for Tennesseans to both build a career and build up local economies in our state.”– Gov. Bill Lee
“One of the best things a community can do to promote economic growth is evaluating and improving their sites for market. I congratulate the five communities on being chosen for this round of PEP and look forward to what is in store for them in the future. – TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe
“PEP is an effective avenue for getting community leaders on the same page concerning priority investments that attract industry. Long-range economic development programs, like the Property Evaluation Program, help distinguish Tennessee as a compelling location for industrial investment.” – Austin Consulting Director Johnathan Gemmen
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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