TN ECD Announces Seven Counties to Participate in New Round of Select Tennessee Property Evaluation Program

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) announced the counties chosen to participate in the latest round of the Select Tennessee Property Evaluation Program (PEP).

The counties selected in this round of PEP include Anderson, Benton, Cheatham, Hardin, Henry, Marshall and Washington.

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.

“Having available, shovel-ready sites is essential for Tennessee counties to remain competitive for industrial recruitment. Through PEP, these seven counties are taking the steps needed to become more marketable,” Rolfe said. “I congratulate the counties chosen to participate in this program and look forward to seeing their future success through 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.

“As part of PEP, when local leadership takes a critical look at their real estate assets, they almost always come to an agreement on which properties are most competitive,” Director of Austin Consulting Jonathon Gemmen said. “With everyone on the same page, the appropriate next steps can be taken to improve their strongest sites and buildings.”

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.

Source: State of TN ECD, by: Carly Schroer

The East Tennessee Economic Development Agency markets and recruits business for the 15 counties in the greater Knoxville-Oak Ridge region of East Tennessee. Visit www.eteda.org

Published April 27, 2018