Following the presentation of a study last week on the best use for McDonald Farm, Hamilton County commissioners discussed potential development of the property for industrial use versus agritourism at an economic development committee meeting Wednesday.
The 2,100-acre farm was purchased in 2021 by the county for $16 million for the development of an industrial park.
Last week, economic development consultant Randall Gross recommended recreation, agritourism and destination lodging as the best potential uses for the property. He cited a lack of interstate access and Sale Creek’s limited labor market as major challenges to industrial development at the site.
“It gave us some slightly different information than, I think, what the commissioners who voted to purchase the farm were given,” committee Chair Lee Helton, R-East Brainerd, said of the study. “We would just like to reconcile some of these issues.”
Representatives from the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce were invited to offer their perspective at the meeting, as Gross said he intentionally did not involve the chamber when producing his report to avoid such influence.