Upper Cumberland Counties Get State Support To Prepare Industrial Sites For Future Growth
(UCBJ) – Both Putnam and Cumberland counties are among three selected to participate in the latest round of the Tennessee Property Evaluation Program (PEP), according to the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD).
PEP is a state initiative designed to help communities identify and prepare industrial properties for future economic development. The program has reviewed 525 industrial sites statewide since 2015.
Chester County was also selected.
“The Property Evaluation Program marks the first step of our crucial site development program, which is essential to the economic development success we have experienced,” said Deputy Gov. and TNECD Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter. “Having a shovel-ready site can be the difference between landing a project and not landing one, and I look forward to the growth this will bring to Chester, Cumberland and Putnam Counties.”
The program, which originated from the TNECD Certified Sites Program, provides participating counties with guidance on site planning for future industrial development projects.
PEP includes:
- An educational webinar on the site selection process
- An on-site visit by Austin Consulting and TNECD
- A comprehensive assessment of the strengths and development opportunities for each community’s inventory of potential new industrial sites
“The Property Evaluation Program empowers communities to take a fresh look at their current and potential industrial sites,” said Jonathan Gemmen, senior director at Austin Consulting. “In many instances, this exercise encourages community leadership to build consensus around which properties are most competitive and worthy of near-term site readiness investment.”
The three counties were selected after an initial letter of intent, which can be submitted at any time. The next round of communities will soon be accepted into the program, with letters of intent due by Jan. 14, 2027.
For more information, visit TNECD.
Photo courtesy of TNECD.
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