State Representative Mark Pody (R–Lebanon) joined with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development today to announce that DeKalb County has been chosen to participate in the Select Tennessee Property Evaluation Program (PEP).
Launched in 2015, the purpose of the PEP is to improve the inventory of industrial sites and buildings in Tennessee by evaluating potential properties, advising counties on where investment may be most beneficial, and to discover what is needed to address issues found that may be impeding area economic development.
The PEP benefits counties by emphasizing the importance of and assisting with planning for future industrial development.
“Available and up-to-date industrial properties are essential for a community to be competitive in recruiting new business to the area,” said Representative Pody. “However, developing and maintaining such an inventory is a difficult task, and many of our communities do not have a large range of quality properties available for the market. Through the Select Tennessee Program, we will be able to get assistance from the state that will help us in readying industrial properties for near-term development as well as creating a pipeline of properties for future development.”
For each county selected to participate in Select Tennessee, the program includes an educational webinar on the site selection process, an on-site visit, and a comprehensive assessment addressing each area’s strengths, weaknesses, and recommended next steps to improve marketability.
“Inclusion in the PEP will trigger technical assistance which would otherwise cost thousands of dollars for our community,” continued Pody. “The result of the industrial property evaluations will mean that Dekalb County has a more attractive portfolio of industrial sites to attract prospects and help with future economic development in the area.”
Selection into the program is based on demonstrated local need for industrial properties and also on the county’s ability to assemble viable properties with market potential.
The application process begins with the submission of a letter of intent which is accepted at any time. Upon receipt of the letter, counties are provided with the program application. The letter of intent, along with more information about the Select Tennessee Program, can be found by visiting http://goo.gl/Zms3nm.
Mark Pody serves as Vice-Chairman of the House Consumer & Human Resources Committee. He is also a member of the House Consumer & Human Resources Subcommittee and House Insurance & Banking Committee. He can be reached by email at Rep.Mark.Pody@capitol.tn.gov or by calling (615) 741-7086.
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