The McMinn County Economic Development Authority (EDA) was created in 1985, and is a centralized agency devoted to recruiting new industry, and providing service to assist existing industries with expansions. Information on available buildings, industrial property, training, and other available programs can be obtained by calling (423) 745-1506.

     The Development Authority is a public/private partnership governed by a 30 member Board made up of McMinn county citizens and elected officials. The Authority also develops property for industrial use, for warehousing/distribution operations, and for research and development projects. It has 5 Government Funding Agencies, and 108 Partners and Members from the private sector. The Board's officers and 3 additional members of the Board comprise the Executive Committee.

     A major industry EDA helped recruit into McMinn County in 1996 is DENSO Manufacturing. To date, DENSO has announced more than $350 million in new capital investment and presently has more than 1100 jobs. Another major new Industry EDA Assisted in 2000 was ThyssenKrupp Waupaca Foundry, Inc. which announced a major expansion in 2007 of $162 Million and the creation of 200 new jobs.

     In the Past 5 years, EDA joined with the County, City Governments, and local Utilities Companies in locating new plants to McMinn County, and assisted a number of existing companies with expansions:

     The Authority regularly advertises McMinn County's advantages, its industrial parks, and its available buildings in various trade journals and State Economic Development publications. And for thirty-five consecutive years, EDA has sponsored McMinn County Salute to Industry Day--a day to honor all industry in the County, and to recognize their contributions to the community.

     The Authority's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer is Jack Hammontree, a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) who has been involved with economic/industrial development for his entire professional career. Mr. Hammontree has been associated with a number of development corporations and organizations in both the State of Tennessee and the State of Alabama. While a member of the Industrial Development Staff at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), he was responsible for portions of the seven state region TVA serves. His private sector positions have included the President and CEO of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce and Vice President with an East Tennessee Industrial Real Estate firm. Mr. Hammontree is active in a number of professional organizations including IEDC, SEDC, TIDC, CoreNet, and The National Right to Work Committee. While in Alabama, he was chairman of the State's Industrial Development Bond Authority, and he currently serves on the McMinn County Industrial Development Bond Board. He can be reached by email at jack@mcminncoeda.org.

A publication of the McMinn County Economic Development Authority, ©2008. All photographs courtesy of The Daily Post-Athenian.