Governor Bill Haslam and ECD Commissioner Bill Hagerty traveled to Union City, Tenn. on Thursday, March 17, to discuss the development of the Port of Cates Landing, to be located in the Northwest corner of Tennessee, six miles north of Tiptonville. The governor announced, on behalf of Congressman Stephen Fincher, that $13 million in federal funds for the port had been secured.

It was announced last fall that the Port of Cates Landing was to receive a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) II grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.  Federal budget cuts could have put the grant money in jeopardy; however, the funds have now escaped the budget knife. 

Governor Haslam has proposed an additional $7 million in the Tennessee State Budget for the upcoming 2011-2012 fiscal year to assist in the port's construction. 

With a combined $20 million in federal and state funds, the port can begin development that is expected to last approximately 18 months.  The port's central location will place it within one day's drive of 76 percent of the nation's major markets and close to five interstates and the main line of the Canadian National Railroad.  Additionally, an economic impact study conducted by Middle Tennessee State University found that the port could generate 1,700 new jobs in the marine sector.

Source: Tennessee ECD Hot Sheet, March 18, 2011

The Obion County Joint Economic Development Board hosted Economic Development 101 on Friday, March 18 at the Obion County Public Library.  The two-hour presentation was conducted by TVA Economic Development's Kristi Brown, senior consultant who facilitates community development training. More than a dozen local officials attended.  The results of the session, along with other TVA resources, will be used to develop a plan of action from TVA Economic Development that supports Obion County and the State of Tennessee Economic and Community Development in response to Goodyear's plan to close its Union City plant. Meeting participants were given a detailed overview of all the elements that go into economic development.  "It is more important than ever for a community to be prepared for economic development opportunities into today's economic climate," Brown told the group. She explained that the emergence of non-traditional economies, new technology, market turbulence and environmental issues, energy costs and political instability have all changed the way economic development is managed. Ms. Brown estimated there are more than 10,000 economic development agencies across the country competing for a few hundred economic development projects each year. "Your website is a critical component; it is key," she said. The session concluded with those in attendance stating what lessons from the program they would take from the meeting and try to implement in their work environment.  The Obion County Joint Economic Devleopment Council, consisting of the Obion County  Chamber of Commerce and Obion County Inudstrial Development Council will continue our partnership with TVA over the next several months, utilitizing the the services and trainings tailored our current economic situation.

This article borrows from a newspaper article by Kevin Bowden, Staff Reporter of the Union City Messenger posted on Monday, March 21, 2011.