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Small Town Living, Big City Benefits
Companies are finding that it's easy to do business in
Tennessee's rural communities.
By Kimberly D. Acreback
There is no shortage of success stories in rural Tennessee.
Many counties are experiencing record growth and many more
are on the rise. These communities are scenic yet well situated,
inexpensive yet highly developed, and hospitable yet hard-working.
They also offer incentives that are tough to outdo.
Dunlap, Tennessee, the fastest growing town per capita in
the state, is an obvious example of rural achievement. Nestled
in the center of the Sequatchie Valley, the charming community
boasts low crime, low taxes and extraordinary hospitality.
In addition, it has a well-designed industrial park with available
acreage, a new superhighway running north and south, a strong
labor force and a strategic location making it easy to reach
major markets.
The town's economy recently received a big boost when Japanese-owned
Seymour Tubing decided to launch its new $25 million, 80,000
square-foot facility in Dunlap's industrial park. Seymour
Tubing, which manufactures steel tubing components for the
automotive industry, celebrated the grand opening of its new
plant in November 2001.
Barry Ferguson, Seymour's director of human resources described
the town as "open, warm and friendly." He said,
"It's easy to do business in a small town. You know who
the players are and there's a lot of cooperation between industries."
To date, Seymour has created 85-90 new jobs in the county
and expects to add up to 140 more in 2002. Within the next
five years, company officials hope new jobs will climb to
approximately 450. Mayor George Wagner said, "The Department
of Economic and Community Development (ECD) and other state
officials partnered with Dunlap and worked hard to make it
happen."
Tennessee is also working hard to help out those counties
that have great potential, but haven't had the opportunity
to show off their gifts. The ECD's answer to helping out these
counties is the Special Enhancement County Program.
The program is designed to enable all Tennessee counties
to share in the record growth experienced by communities like
Dunlap. Open to any county that meets certain economic criteria,
the program allows participants to apply for extra funding,
and to take advantage of interest rates well below prime as
well as flexible payment schedules. The added benefits enable
these counties to proactively build infrastructure, develop
spec buildings, and to prepare sites and work forces that
rival those offered by larger communities. As a result, businesses
locating in these communities enjoy big city facilities at
small town prices. In addition, they benefit from the lower
cost of living and solid work ethic associated with a rural
area.
Grundy County, a farming area consisting of six small towns
at the foot of the scenic Cumberland Plateau, is one of the
22 counties taking advantage of the Special Enhancement County
Program. The county used its special enhancement status to
apply for infrastructure funds. Grundy's status entitles it
to 50 percent more money than counties that are not specially
enhanced, and also enables it to designate a private company
as the principal recipient of the benefits.
The county began reinforcing the infrastructure in its new
industrial park in May 2001. As a result, three months later,
Grundy welcomed its first large automotive project, a $12
million seat plant for Toyo Seat USA Corp. Contractors, government
officials and local utility companies worked together to successfully
finish out the project by October, when Toyo Seat started
production.
Toyo, which currently employs around 60 people, provides
the best benefit and wage package of anyone in the county,
and will eventually become Grundy County's largest employer
with plans for 200+ jobs. Prior to its arrival, most residents
were commuting to manufacturing jobs in other parts of the
region, but now many Grundy County locals are working in their
home county for the first time.
When asked why Toyo selected Grundy County, Vice President
Johnny Smith said, "Our new location affords us a top-notch
work force while allowing us to be near many of our customers
and suppliers."
Grundy County Executive Ladue Bouldin knows his community
has a lot to offer, but he partially credits the county's
Special Enhancement status with Grundy's ability to quickly
pull together the resources - totaling in excess of $4 million
-- to implement the infrastructure Toyo required.
Scott County is another great example of a community that
is using the Special Enhancement County Program to boost its
economic strength and attract potential commerce. Its story
starts in the late 70s, when coal mining and timber production
were the economic lifeblood of the community. During the recession
in the early 80s, the industry nose-dived and unemployment
reached 28 percent in the county.
The community began to revamp its economy and build up its
infrastructure by putting in water, sewer and gas lines, and
building roads from the interstate into the county. They constructed
ready-to-go spec buildings in preparation for new industry,
and they put together "Team 21," an impressive group
of decision makers who can answer any question about Scott
County in five minutes. Before September 11, the county unemployment
rate was down to 3.9 percent.
How did the county accomplish this amazing turnaround? According
to Scott County Executive Dwight Murphy, by "teaching
people to take pride in their community and in themselves.
The pride residents have in their community carries over into
pride in their work. Companies that locate in this county
can expect to find loyal employees who are second to none."
Scott County uses its Special Enhancement status to receive
priority over other counties in its quest to obtain funds
necessary to reach its goals. So far, it has been able to
open a community college and a technology center to prepare
a work force tailored to meet employers' needs. It has also
used government and private money to build all new schools
in one of its districts.
"Our last frontier has been kids," said Murphy.
When kids realize the potential they have to be successful,
"their whole attitude towards life changes," he
said. "It's a complete transformation." The newly
built school district's scores recently ranked in the top
five in Tennessee, an honor few rural systems receive. The
high priority Scott County places on education and wellness
not only ensures a well-prepared work force for today, but
also for generations to come.
Dunlap, Grundy County and Scott County are just three examples
of the good things happening in small communities across Tennessee.
Companies looking for a strong work force, low operating costs,
easy access to grant and federal funding, and the ability
to partner with a community that's interested in mutual success
will find rural Tennessee hard to beat.
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