JASPER, Tenn. - City leaders are in the process of changing Jasper's zoning regulations to accommodate a business' relocation there.
At the June meeting of the Jasper Board of Mayor and Aldermen, Mayor Paul Evans said Ordinance 395 would amend the city's zoning rules to allow light industry in a C-2 zone.
City Attorney Mark Raines said a request was made to the city planner to reutilize the now-vacant Fred's building along U.S. Highway 41 to manufacture and sell electronics and accessories for 3D printers.
Johnny Russell, owner of UltiMachine, now located in nearby South Pittsburg, Tennessee, said he would like to relocate his business to that location.
UltiMachine employs about 15 people who solder and assemble circuit boards to sell to larger companies.
"We make electronics for 3D printers," Russell said. "We design and have custom-printed circuit cards made and then we solder on the components that make it work."
The company also sells 3D printing accessory materials, like the plastic filament many of them use, so it does include some retail business.
"That's how we started out was retailing that stuff, but we really ended up with a niche building the electronics and selling those to people that make the printers," Russell said.
Under Jasper's current zoning statues, Raines said manufacturing and retail sales in the same location are not allowed.
"So the [city] planner and I discussed it," he said. "[The new ordinance] would allow Mr. Russell and those folks to do what they're asking to do - to have some employees working and making materials down there and also selling materials out of the building, whereas now that's restricted. It's just straight commercial retail sales activities."
Alderman Paul "Mac" Bumpus was among those who toured the business, and said Russell assured city leaders there were no "environmental concerns" with it moving to the new location in Jasper.
The board voted unanimously to approve the ordinance on first reading.
A public hearing and a second and final reading of the ordinance will occur at the board's next meeting July 8.
Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.