By Ryan Lewis
Correspondent
JASPER, Tenn. – Marion County Mayor Howell Moss said a major industry is interested in coming to New Hope, Tenn., but he can’t identify the company or what it does.
Moss said the company was based in Germany and would bring 500 high-paying jobs to the county, but he was contractually obligated not to share any further information.
“If you want to play ball with the big guys like this, you’ve got to have property and you’ve got to give them something,” he said. “How much are 500 jobs worth to the tax base in Marion County? It would be tremendous.”
On Monday, Moss asked county commissioners to commit their interest in purchasing 20 to 30 acres of land should the company chose New Hope as its new manufacturing location.
Officials estimate the land would cost the county about $500,000 and would take a 30-year bond issue, which would cost about $40,000 per year.
Moss said the commission needed to act immediately.
“Whoever is willing to purchase the property for them is going to be the one that gets it,” he said. “We’ve gone from 80 counties down to two, so we’re in the final draw.”
The county also would have to build a nearly 30,000-square -foot specialized building, which it would lease back to the new company, officials said.
But Moss’ quick pace and lack of detailed information displeased some commissioners.
“There are apparently two men in this room that know about this, and nobody else sitting on this board knows a thing about it,” Commission Chairman Gene Hargis said, referring to Moss and County Attorney Billy Gouger. “I’m not throwing stones, but I feel like an idiot sitting up here with my thumb in my ear because we’re expected to make a decision and spend taxpayers’ money.”
Moss said he didn’t ask commissioners to buy any property, only to say they would be interested in buying the property if New Hope was selected as the site.
Commissioner Donald Blansett said the county needed to be better prepared for situations like this and that officially announcing the county was interested in buying the property likely would cause the current price to skyrocket.
“You have to commit that this county is interested in purchasing the property for them if they choose you,” Moss said. “You don’t have to buy it. If you want another industrial recruiter next month, good luck. You’ll still be under the same rules and regulations that you are now.”
Even with some displeasure, commissioners unanimously approved a resolution stating they would be interested in purchasing the property if chosen by the German company.
Commissioner Wayne Willis said the reason is simple.
“You’re looking at an excess of 10 percent unemployment in the county,” he said. “I like the thought of possibly 500 jobs.”
Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.