Promising economic developments are ahead for Giles County, according to David Hamilton, county economic development coordinator.
This is something for which Giles County residents have hoped and longed for years. And Hamilton gave an encouraging update.
At the Nov. 24 meeting of the Giles County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Hamilton also stressed that workers will be needed.
More housing for future arrivals to Giles County, its cities and elsewhere in the county, also will be needed, he said.
Employment always is a topic of interest.
“A lot of it now is people being informed. Opportunities are out there,” he said, for those willing to work and to seek employment,
Young employees willing to work, that is come on time and stay as long as scheduled, can start at good wages, he said.
Recent announcements of industrial and possible expansions mentioned by Hamilton include: Frito-Lay, a $100 million expansion expected to add 100 jobs; Tenneplas, $1 million expansion with 40 more jobs; Adient, a $100 million expansion with the number of new jobs undisclosed and an unnamed prospect with a $3.5 million expansion and 50 jobs.
A Korean prospect is also looking at the Timken building, he said. The first phase of tentative plans would include a $50 million investment and 100 jobs and a $59 million investment and 200 jobs in a second phase, he said.
Expected to aid economic development is the recent announcement that Martin Methodist College and the University of Tennessee system are working on a partnership in which the two would become one academic institution.
Joey Hensley, 28th District state senator, from Hohenwald and Clay Doggett, 70th District state representative, Pulaski, in whose districts Giles County lies, support the partnership, which is expected to lead to higher enrollment and reduced tuition at Martin.
The institution’s name likely will change, though the new name has not been announced.
Some economic development effects on Giles County may not be seen for a few years, he said,
Possibilities include more retail food outlets to appeal to college age students and another sit down restaurant may open, he said,
Hamilton said he hoped the latest census could push Giles County’s population above 30,000. The last census pegged Giles County’s population at more than 29,000.
“Getting to 30,000 could put us at another level as far as businesses we could attract,” he said.
More residents who live and work here also would help the county grow, he said,
Developing more business opportunities at Exits One, Six, 14 and 22 along I-65 also is under study, he said.
The county has contracted with a firm, Retail Strategies, to look at possible kinds of businesses to locate there, Hamilton said.
Promising economic development opportunities are growing in Giles County,
NAACP
Anthony Bledsoe has been confirmed as the speaker for the Martin Luther King Day program the evening of Jan. 21.
Joseph Sutton has been elected to a two-year term as president of the Giles County NAACP branch.
Also re-elected were Benita Cross, first vice president; Max Trotter, treasurer and Kelly Hamlin, secretary.
Newly elected was Janice Tucker, second vice president.
A slate of at-large member representatives will be elected at a future meeting.