DAYTON, Tenn. — Thirty times in the past two years, companies interested in Rhea County have asked for information on the county, but only 10 called back once they got it.
“What can we do as commissioners to help?” County Commissioner Tracy Taylor asked last week at a meeting in which Rhea officials discussed industrial development in the county.
WHAT’S NEXTThe next joint meeting of Rhea County officials and property owners is scheduled for March 14 at 5:30 p.m at the Rhea County Welcome Center, 107 Main St., in Dayton, Tenn.
Rhea Economic & Tourism Council members hosted a meeting with Rhea County commissioners and officials from Dayton, Spring City and Graysville.
Tourism council Chairman Tom Taylor said they’d received 30 requests for information in the last two years, but only 10 had responded because the county met their criteria. The county has secured White-stone Logistics, General Shale and Seaton Enterprises since January 2008, he said.
County Executive George Thacker said he wants to be “aggressive” and go after an industrial park. He said he’s sent letters to other retail businesses to consider moving to the area.
Dayton City Manager Frank Welch said county officials had to secure land and infrastructures aggressively to be “ready to go” when an industry makes inquiries for development. Rhea already has lost one company that needed 50 acres, he said.
“The city and county municipalities need to contribute,” Welch said.
Newly elected County Commissioner Jim Reed suggested city and county officials meet two or three times a year to stay informed.
“Everybody in the room needs to work together,” he said.
Officials agreed that reviving town hall meetings would keep the community involved and informed.
Graysville Mayor Ted Doss and Spring City Mayor Mary Sue Garrison agreed that the county needs short-term and long-term development plans.
Anita Crittenden, Rhea’s coordinator for the state’s Three Star Communities program, which gives counties incentives if they meet certain criteria, said the tourism council will update its five-year strategic plan and make it available.
Reed said all interested property owners with unoccupied land or infrastructures that the county could use for industry should contact any county or city leader.
“I believe we’re on the right track,” Thacker said.
Kimberly McMillian is based in Rhea County. Contact her at kdj424@ bellsouth.net.