Marion County: CB&I moves ahead

NEW HOPE, Tenn. — Officials in Marion County are looking to 2009 with enthusiasm despite the lagging economy and more jobs losses announced daily.

Records show the worldwide company Chicago Bridge & Iron in recent weeks has left a string of permit applications laying groundwork for a proposed $110 million fabrication plant here. The facility could bring 250 to 350 jobs to the region.

There’s been no formal announcement by CB&I, but “they are fixing to move some office trailers in here for training and for their office personnel,” New Hope Mayor Mark Myers said.

“We’re right on schedule; we’re real excited,” Mr. Myers said.

He said local officials have completed most initial tasks.

“All that officials are left to do is be there for the groundbreaking,” he said.

CB&I officials, however, remain tight-lipped on the proposed plant’s status.

“CB&I is continuing to pursue permitting for the site simultaneous with evaluating the feasibility,” said Jan Sieving, CB&I vice president of marketing and corporate communications.

Marion County Mayor Howell Moss declined to comment on specifics but said, “Everybody’s doing their best to get everything done.”

State Economic and Community Development officials are closemouthed, as well.

“It’s our policy not to comment on discussions with companies until there’s a public announcement,” said Mark Drury, EDC’s assistant commissioner of communications and creative services.

Meanwhile, the paperwork trail shows TVA, the Corps of Engineers and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation are considering applications submitted by the company seeking easements and permits.

A public comment period for remarks to TDEC on the environmental impact of a barge terminal ended Monday. The terminal would include a crane platform and a 320-foot-long dock extending into the river about 90 feet, records show.

TDEC spokeswoman Tisha Calabrese-Benton said her department has received CB&I’s application for a “401 Certification,” which is similar to an aquatic resource application permit, also called an ARAP. The study reviews the impact of construction and operations on nearby waters, Ms. Calabrese-Benton said.

“I understand there is an environmental assessment currently under way, which is a federal requirement due to the presence of endangered species in the area,” she added. The assessment falls to U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials.

In June, CB&I closed on the purchase of 61 acres of farmland beside the Nickajack Port Authority. The tract has access to the river, rail lines and is close to Interstate 24 and not far from Interstates 59 and 75.

Applications filed by CB&I give some details officials have been hesitant to discuss.

Plans include a 500,000-square-foot building and a 4,700-foot extension of a nearby CSX rail line, according to application documents. The plant would make steel container vessels for nuclear facilities to be shipped off site by river barge, records show.

CB&I estimates the plant would generate three to five bargeloads of cargo a month, records show.

A land use application filed by CB&I lists no alternative sites and includes a note stating, “The manufacturing process requires excellent river, rail and highway access. Sites meeting all three criteria were very limited.”

Mr. Myers said training and office trailers might be moved onto the site sometime after the first of the year.

The plant would be a boon for the whole region, he said, especially Marion County.

“This is our Volkswagen,” he said.