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Read about
previous TDC bumbles, stumbles and fumbles. They don't have a great track record!

Who is
The Development Corporation anyway, and why should I care?

We need some real leadership in economic development - leadership that recognizes that the future is not in trying to compete with every other city in America and overseas for scarce manufacturing jobs. Most companies that locate in industrial parks are polluting industries - the environmental risks outweigh any job benefits, and the jobs are often low-tech, low-paid positions with little future.

What if we used our economic development budget to help local businesses grow and encourage development of home grown, higher quality jobs instead of competing with Chattanooga's 1,600 acre industrial park, Blount County's new 450 acre regional park (which Knox Co. taxpayers invested $5,000,000 in this year), Roane County's 500 available acres in their I-40 regional business park, and Knox County's own 95-acre Hardin Valley Park, which doesn't have a single tenant, as well as every other city that already has a large industrial park inventory? Let's use some out-of-the-box thinking to encourage economic development instead of doing the same thing everyone else is doing without much success.

One of the ideas that might be explored is the idea of an Equestrian Center. Horse people have money, travel to shows, and the "Gateway to the Smokies" location would ensure a great success. The farms in the area could board horses and offer services appropriate to the development - maybe it could be a GREEN development, a showcase for sustainable development. Maybe there is state or federal money out there to help make this a reality - like this current one from the USDA.

But if we spend the money instead on yet another industrial park, there won't be any money for a project like this or any other great idea that the community might come up with if given the chance. TDC just isn't capable of this kind of vision and leadership.

This particular location has been targeted by TDC for the simple reason that it's a chance for them to assemble a large tract right at the interstate. They are so focused on that one aspect that the other site problems aren't important to them. They only know how to build business parks, so they're not thinking that an Equestrian Center or some other great idea would be a better fit for that particular property.

We have many businesses here in Knoxville that could use loans and other assistance to expand and create more jobs. We have a wealth of technology resources in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and The University of Tennessee, but the region has a dire lack of funding for technology startup companies.

The money might also be better spent improving the quality of our workforce to attract economic growth. By directing more resources to our schools and to support living wages for our public servants such as fire, police and teachers, we can attract and retain the best. Children are perhaps Knox County's most valuable asset and there's no better investment than to make sure they are well-prepared for their future. A well-educated work force enables us to attract the kind of clean, high-tech, high-paying jobs that we deserve.

It's STANDARD OF LIVING and QUALITY OF LIFE issues that make a place desirable. Knoxville is blessed with a breathtaking natural setting and climate with both a small-town feel and big city amenities, so most everyone who comes here wants to stay. If we plan now, with a clear vision of our goals and a little foresight, we can achieve a great tomorrow for Knoxville, a place we'll all be proud to call home.

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