2012 TRDA West, Monroe economic growth is positive
Not all economic news is negative. Tellico Reservoir Development Agency (TRDA) Chairman and Monroe County Mayor Tim Yates stated this week that he is very pleased with the capital investment and new jobs reported in 2012.
He added that while he continues to see the unemployment rate higher than he would like, he sees very positive growth and stability in TRDA’s Tellico West Industrial Properties and Monroe County.
During the past 12 months, new jobs at Tellico West have increased by more than 400, bringing total employment within the industrial park to more than 3,700, TRDA’s Executive Director Ron Hammontree of Greenback said. During 2012 more than 465,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehousing space was purchased, leased or built.
Hammontree said roughly 20 percent of the employees reside in Blount County. He serves under a nine-member board of directors composed of three members from each of the three counties that comprise the territory within TRDA. Each county appoints its own members and the chairmanship of TRDA rotates between counties. Currently, Blount Mayor Ed Mitchell, attorney David Black and former Blount Mayor Bill Crisp represent Blount County on the board.
Pointing to the positive gains, Hammontree said that TRDA is very pleased with the growth in jobs. He added that recent capital investments of $12.2 million have added to the local economy.
Looking toward 2013, Hammontree reported that in late 2012, TRDA began to see increased interest in area industrial sites and he feels this interest and trend will continue in 2013.
The 3,700 jobs in TRDA’s Tellico West Industrial Properties are a boost to the area economy, which is too often overlooked.
