Economic Development Rebounds in Blount
7/1/2010
Economic Development Rebounds in Blount
Despite a slow economy, Blount County has done better than most communities in terms of economic development. The recent announcements of the opening of the First Tennessee Bank Operations Center in the Blount County Industrial Park, the opening of American Chemet in Rockford coupled with numerous other successes over the past year, Blount County has performed better than many other communities.
The Economic Development Board (EDB), a government agency that is funded by Blount County, City of Alcoa, and City of Maryville, works with the Chamber, local government, and regional/state economic development agencies to bring new industry to the area.
In 2009, EDB staff completed a recruiting trip to Germany and the United Kingdom and met with 50 prospects and attended trade shows in Frankfurt and Hamburg. In addition, EDB staff received 32 inquiries about available sites and businesses, met with 12 site selectors in Atlanta, and hosted nine prospects.
"Three companies have located to Blount County, including Rohm Haas with a 110,000 sq. ft. facility in the Little Brook Industrial Park. Hemasource, a medical supply company, opened a 43,000 sq. ft. facility in Stock Creek Development Centre," reported Bryan Daniels, EVP of Economic Development. "UK based sealing manufacturer AESSEAL opened a 46,000 sq. ft. facility which will serve as their North American Headquarters in Stock Creek. They employ 40 people and have made a $5.6 million investment in Blount County. The EDB is optimistic about their future expansion."
In addition, the EDB worked directly with seven companies during 2009 that decided not to locate in Blount County for reasons beyond the EDB's control. Six were in the automotive, glass, and machine manufacturing industries and one in automotive distribution. Reasons cited were air quality non-attainment issues, credit market instability, and desire for more incentives than the community could provide.
Taking the lead for the Blount Partnership, the EDB represented Blount County in the newly formed Innovation Valley, a collaboration with the Knoxville Chamber, the Oak Ridge Partnership, Loudon County EDA, Tellico Reservoir Development Agency, and the Roane Alliance. Ten prospects have been targeted as a result of this collaboration.
While drumming up new business, the EDB along with Innovation Valley partners also helped save 145 jobs in a regional response to the closing of ImagePoint, a sign company headquartered in Knoxville. To date, eleven companies have located and/or expanded in the region and approximately half of the former company's employees have found jobs. In addition, the EDB has worked with Innovation Valley Partners to identify companies that are in danger of closing or laying off employees. Four Blount County companies have been identified, and the EDB is working directly with these companies to keep them viable.
"We're also proud to report that the first phase of construction on Pellissippi Park, a high-technology research and development park, is 80-percent complete," commented Matt Murray, EDB Chair. "The new park is anticipated to open in August 2010. We're excited to participate with Innovation Valley which is charged with marketing the three technology parks in the region."
"The support of our EDB Board, Blount County, City of Alcoa, and City of Maryville is the reason why our community has been successful even in these slow economic times," said Fred Forster, recently retired president & CEO of the Blount Partnership and Economic Development Board.
For more information on the Economic Development Board of Blount County, visit www.blountindustry.com or call 983-7715