SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WCYB) — More jobs could be on the way to our area.
That’s thanks to $2.5 million in grant money aimed at recruiting companies that will need to hire local workers.
The new funding will benefit development of the Northeast Tennessee Business Park at Airport Parkway and the Bristol South Industrial Park.
CEO of NETWORKS Sullivan County Partnership, Clay Walker, tells News 5’s Yannia Nordelo the goal is to make the sites “build-ready” for companies looking to expand or relocate.
They are more reluctant now than they were maybe 20 years ago in making large investments and adding plants to their portfolio so once they make that decision, how quickly they can get it up in operation is paramount, said Walker.
Director of Economic Development for NETWORKS Sullivan County Partnership, Michael Parks, says the site near the airport has major appeal.
Its greatest advantages are both the proximity to the airport and to Northeast State Community College for the workforce pipeline, but also the interstate for truck access, said Parker.
Lynn Tully, the Regional Director for Economic Development for the state, tells Yannia that sites like these can attract a wide range of industries and bring significant job opportunities to the region, specifically nuclear and rural jobs.
I have seen everything from automotive to defense to food and beverage to pharmaceuticals. said Tully.
Officials say projects like this have already proven their impact across Tennessee.
These sites have brought thousands of jobs literally to the area, said Tully.
The past four sites we’ve developed and put companies on, I would say it’s probably around 600 to 700 jobs for each of those projects, said Walker.
Site leaders say they plan to have these sites finished in the next 18 months.
