Fifth Southeast Megasite Certified By TVA Program
September 15, 2005
ALAMO, Tenn. – An initiative sponsored by the Tennessee Valley Authority has resulted in a fifth industrial site in the Southeast being independently certified as a megasite, a large industrial property suitable for major automotive manufacturing.
The more than 1,600-acre industrial site, known as the West Tennessee Auto Park, is in Fruitvale near Alamo in Crockett County. It was certified by McCallum Sweeney Consulting of Greenville, S.C., an independent firm commissioned by TVA.
It is the second site in Tennessee and the fifth in the Tennessee Valley to be certified as a megasite. Sites in Columbus, Miss., near Tupelo, Miss., near Hopkinsville, Ky., and in Chattanooga, Tenn., were previously certified.
The megasite, located just north of Interstate 40, near Interstate 155, and near the intersection of U.S. Highways 412 and 79/Alternate 70, is about 60 miles northeast of Memphis and about 15 miles from Jackson. Memphis International Airport, McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport in Jackson and a CSX mainline rail are located nearby, and the site has good topography and utilities infrastructure. It also meets all minimum criteria for megasite certification, including size of at least 1,000 contiguous acres, land availability, transportation access and labor capacity.
“Having a certified, ready-for-development megasite in West Tennessee gives the community and the Tennessee Valley a huge advantage in recruiting new automotive manufacturing facilities and other industries,” said TVA Chairman Bill Baxter. “There is a large demand for certified industrial sites by the automotive industry, and the West Tennessee Auto Park megasite allows Crockett County and the state of Tennessee to be fierce competitors in this highly aggressive business.”
Working in partnership, TVA’s economic development staff, distributors of TVA power and economic development partners will market the site to automotive manufacturers seeking to locate facilities in the Southeast.
TVA launched the megasite certification program in March 2004 in response to a growing need for large industrial properties appropriate for automotive manufacturing facilities. TVA has learned that several major manufacturers may locate additional automotive plants in the Southeast during the next decade.
Based on its expertise as a site selection consultant for the automotive industry, MSC was commissioned by TVA as an independent source to evaluate the submitted sites. All site applications were reviewed, and site visits were conducted by the consultant. Recommendations for property improvements and suitable industry-specific uses were given to each of the communities that submitted sites.
“Companies, especially in the automotive industry, are under tremendous market pressures to make site decisions and start up new facilities at a record-breaking pace,” said MSC Senior Principal Mark Sweeney. “With the addition of the West Tennessee Auto Park, TVA has an inventory of five certified sites that are ready to meet the stringent demands of an automotive assembly plant.”
In fiscal year 2004, TVA worked in partnership with various economic development organizations and partners to help attract or retain 50,388 jobs and leverage $2.1 billion in capital investment. TVA also provided more than $13.5 million in economic development loans.
More information about economic development in the Tennessee Valley is available at www.TVAed.com and www.TVAsites.com.
TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financed. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 8.6 million consumers in seven southeastern states.
Media Contact
Michelle Sherrard
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000
