Economic Development

It Is hard to imagine that I have been with the Anderson County Economic Development Association (ACEDA) now almost two years. It has been an amazing, yet anything but routine two years.

Yet in the midst of a global pandemic and changes that are unprecedented, I have been privileged to be involved with an incredible group of individuals that continually strive for growth and think outside the box, our industry leaders and the supporting entities around them have found ways to survive in a quite uncertain environment and I am thankful to have been here to learn from them and to assist them as needed.

We all were hoping to see 2020 exit and allow 2021 to enter on a quieter peaceful note. This was not necessarily what occurred. As industries were trying to rebound from the effects of COVID, labor shortages became the forefront of daily struggles. Employers have had to become creative with staffing and hiring strategies. Cooperation between government entities, educational institutions and industry have now joined forces to address this issue and effects will be far reaching. In spite of the struggles, it is an exciting time to think about the growth and advancements that this will bring. As 2022 is here, there is still promise of growth and expansion for our area. The new $12M, 45,000 SF Anderson County Higher Education Center held its ribbon cutting on December 10, 2021 and is expected to start classes in January 2022. The facility will hold classes for both TCAT and Roane State.

The Anderson County Economic Development Association (ACEDA) has partnered with Anderson County, TVA, and Tennessee Economic & Community Development (TNECD) to start developing a 30-acre tract in the David Jones Industrial Park to accommodate a 250K square foot pad. This will ensure that Anderson County can compete in the region for new industry or expansion of existing industry.

The Anderson County Economic Development Association will be celebrating its 58th Anniversary this year. In 1964, business leaders and elected officials had a vision about the future growth of Anderson County. They realized that the best opportunity for Anderson County to grow and prosper would be to develop an industrial base that would create jobs and grow the tax base. Originally chartered as the Melton Hill Regional Industrial Development Association, this organization was created to recruit new industries and to foster the growth of our existing industries. ACEDA is governed by a local Executive Board and Board of Directors consisting of Board Chairman Greg Fay (CUB), County Mayor, City Mayors, City Managers, along with Utilities, Business, and local citizens.

Anderson County’s five industrial parks and other locations are home to more than forty-one companies employing more than 5,500 workers.

Several of the companies are owned by foreign corporations. They represent Japan, Korea, Israel, Canada and Mexico. This international flavor reflects the county’s aggressive and sophisticated recruitment efforts.

The Anderson County Economic Development Association brings city, county and state governments, local utilities and the Tennessee Valley Authority together to provide needed information and support to recruit companies. It assists existing industries in accessing all available federal, state and local programs that help companies grow new jobs and investment. The Anderson County Economic Development Association serves as a liaison between existing industries and all levels of government.

Anderson County is a prime location for Tier 1 automotive parts manufacturers because of Interstate 75 and our proximity to the automobile assembly plants. Anderson County is within a day’s drive of 75 percent of the United States population. There are thirteen companies associated with the automotive/transportation industry that employ over 3,500 in Anderson County.

Our location, available land and buildings, productive labor force, low business costs, technology assets and quality of life makes Anderson County the perfect place to grow a profitable business.