NASHVILLE, Tn. – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) has announced that it will invest nearly $2.8 million to make infrastructure improvements that will attract new industry and support expansion of existing businesses, enabling the creation and retention of about 3,400 jobs. DRA’s investments, along with other public and private partners, will bring a total of $444.1 million in new investments to Tennessee.
The investments include infrastructure upgrades in Martin and McKenzie, along with three other projects in Savannah, Humboldt and Lexington. In McKenzie, the $7.1M project will upgrade an existing building that will house a new ceramic business. In Martin, a $10.8 project will provide road improvements for an industry that will be adding a new product line.
Delta Regional Authority said the projects will create 1,868 jobs in our area.
“This nearly $3 million Delta Regional Authority grant means more good jobs for Tennesseans, and better roads and facilities to attract new companies to Tennessee and encourage our existing employers to expand,” said U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, (R-TN). “The DRA is funded next fiscal year in the Energy and Water Appropriations bill I wrote, and I look forward to DRA continuing its important work. I congratulate Governor Haslam on today’s news, which will help many families across our state.”
“For nearly 18 years, Delta Regional Authority and its partners have played a role in providing job opportunities for hardworking West Tennesseans,” said U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, (R-TN). “I applaud DRA and Governor Haslam for their commitment to strengthening our state’s infrastructure and am pleased this investment will bring new economic development to the Volunteer State.”
Tennessee’s congressional delegation issued the following statements:
Tennessee economic development projects:
CITY OF SAVANNAH: Existing Business Expansion. DRA Investment: $1 million. Total Investment: $14.6 million. The Savannah Industrial Development Corporation will use DRA funding to build new parking and truck transportation areas to support a 350,000-squart-foot manufacturing facility at 255 Old Morris Chapel Road, just east of Adamsville in Hardin County. DRA funding also will be used for new water, gas and electrical connections to the 58-acre site. The sign manufacturing company will create 75 new jobs and retain 160 workers. The project is supported through DRA’s CIF program.
CITY OF MARTIN: Existing Business Expansion: DRA Investment: $850,000. Total Investment: $10.8 million. The city will use DRA funding for road improvements and to build a truck staging area to support increased truck traffic that will result from a manufacturing business adding a new product line. The mower/tractor manufacturing business, which now has 820 full-time employees and 300 part-time workers, will add 200 new jobs with the expansion. Road improvements will support the business expansion as well as create greater efficiencies for other manufacturers located in Martin Industrial Park. The business expansion is supported through DRA’s CIF program.
CITY OF HUMBOLDT: New Business: DRA Investment: $500,000. Total Investment: $390.5 million. The City of Humboldt will use DRA funds to build a new wastewater treatment plant within the Gibson County Industrial Park to support a new chicken processing plant that will create 1,400 jobs. The treatment plant will utilize state-of-the-art technology that will ensure efficiencies and accommodate additional business growth in the industrial park.
CITY OF LEXINGTON: Existing Business Expansion. DRA Investment: $300,000. Total Investment: $20.9 million. The Lexington Industrial Development Board will use DRA funding to upgrade a manufacturing facility in Henderson County. Upgrades will include infrastructure improvements such as new electrical equipment and enhancements to the shipping bay. The electric motor manufacturing business now employs 240 workers and will create 150 new jobs from a labor pool in Henderson, Madison, Decatur and Chester counties. The company will add new processes and product lines for sheet metal manufacturing, coil-winding and the insourcing of additional component parts.
CITY OF McKENZIE: New Manufacturing Business. DRA Investment: $140,000. Total Investment: $7.1 million. The McKenzie Industrial Development Board will use DRA funding to provide a new roof and to upgrade electrical, air conditioning and heating to support a new business locating in the Nestaway Building at 1373 Airport Road. About 43 new jobs will be created by an international, family-owned manufacturing business, which develops, imports, produces and sells ceramic flower pots and vases. The company selected McKenzie as the site for its first North American manufacturing facility. The Nestaway Building has been vacant for eight years.
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