CLEVELAND, Tenn. — A team effort made by government, business and the community at large contributed to making 2014 “a strong and successful year” for Cleveland, Mayor Tom Rowland said.
Rowland focused on the fruits of those partnerships in his recent annual “State of the City” address to the Kiwanis Club of Cleveland.
Volunteerism and charitable giving by individuals, community organizations and businesses continue to reaffirm the city’s commitment to its motto, “The City with Spirit,” Rowland said.
Cleveland’s economic growth has been nationally recognized in Forbes magazine, Talent Tribune and other sources, he said.
Rowland also said the city ranked second to Nashville nationally for overall economic performance, citing Moody’s Analytics, an arm of Moody’s Investor Services.
“Along with a diverse and thriving industrial base, we saw several new businesses open in 2014,” he said. “Those new enterprises likewise represent a diversity of services, from restaurants to health care.”
Reinvestment in local industry was key to the city’s success in 2014, said Rowland, citing the purchase of financially troubled Hardwick Clothes by Check Into Cash founder Allan Jones.
Not only did Jones’ acquisition of Hardwick save one of “America’s iconic brands,” it saved 240 jobs, Rowland said.
Jones’ resurrection of Hardwick Clothes was one of the most important events to happen in Cleveland last year, City Council member Dale Hughes said after the mayor’s address.
Rowland expressed gratitude for efforts by the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce and the Industrial Development Board to attract new business.
In 2014, Cleveland received 54 industrial prospect inquiries, almost double the number received in 2013, he said.
The development of Spring Branch Industrial Park and an interchange that will connect it to APD-40 and exit 20 on Interstate 75 are keys to future growth, Rowland said.
He said it was “very humbling” when the interchange was named in his honor by the Tennessee Legislature in 2014.
Rebuilding Mosby Park Pool and adding spaces to the city greenway were important steps taken to improve the quality of life for residents, Rowland said.
Hughes noted that the “consistency in upgrading our greenway is always a great asset for our community.”
The city’s success also depends on the Cleveland City Council and a city manager “who are each passionate about progress and quality of growth of our city,” Rowland said.
Vice Mayor George Poe said a low tax rate is the underlying factor for all of Cleveland’s growth in residents, businesses and industries.
“Still, the main thing we have is the lowest taxes in the state of Tennessee, [for cities] with a K-12 school system,” he said. “It all starts from there, and that’s why we work hard to keep the low taxes.”
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.