JC - New Economic Council, Jobs (Chattanooga, Johnson City: to move, manufacturing, land)

[NorthernLights]

I just looked up the high temp in Green Bay today...it was 45. Those folks in Wisconsin may have preferred a little breezy, sunny, 84 degree, northeastern TN weather today if you asked them. Then again they jump in their lakes when the water reaches 50 degrees. Our water temps might put them into some type of shock.
Watch those 'digs' about northeasterners. If you read your TN history you'll see that's where you 'natives' all came from. Daniel Boone was born up near Lancaster PA somewhere and his folks slowly kept migrating south.
I agree with you, when businesses compare property costs/taxes and what you can get labor for more may move to the Tri. It's up to all of us to think of ways to attract businesses here not just leave it up to the local organizations. It's amazing how many chances we all have meeting people on vacation or on the phone to some business in another state to sell the area. More business, means more opportunity for everybody. Think of it as your civic duty, just like picking up a piece of litter and putting it in a trash barrel or some other type of volunteer work. This area is great for business but how are they going to know about it unless we all tell folks?

[SarahSal]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

Wisconsin is probably still good for them, though. We need to try to pull businesses from places that are too burdensome. Yes, I'm thinking northeast. Nothing against the good people of the northeast. It's not their fault that we're just better.

But as more and more corps do move their HQ to the south (especially Atlanta and Raleigh, Charlotte and surrounds), maybe more will start looking at the TRI.

All great posts above!
So what *would* be the most compelling reasons for a NE company to locate in the TRI - or not (as opposed to other locales)?

[rccrain]

LABOR - lower wages, probably no union. If there is a union it is more passive/reasonable. A CPA that costs you $100k in NYC or ATL will cost about $50-60k around here.

Other reasons: Taxes, building costs, building codes, good interstates, less traffic, ideal location between the North East and ATL, being a big fish in a small ocean - you get to choose the creme of the crop of the employees, having pull with the local government, proximity to colleges and universities that put out several hundred qualified business grads each year.

[NorthernLights]

Originally Posted by rccrain

LABOR - lower wages, probably no union. If there is a union it is more passive/reasonable. A CPA that costs you $100k in NYC or ATL will cost about $50-60k around here.

Other reasons: Taxes, building costs, building codes, good interstates, less traffic, ideal location between the North East and ATL, being a big fish in a small ocean - you get to choose the creme of the crop of the employees, having pull with the local government, proximity to colleges and universities that put out several hundred qualified business grads each year.

I second all of the above plus have to emphasize something in the above quote not to be taken lightly which I think could be very important to folks 'up east'...no traffic and the quality of life you and your kids can have here. You can quickly be pretty far out in the rural countryside from the urban areas in a very reasonable amount of time... in almost every direction. Folks from this area may think traffic is bad at rush hour in the towns but nothing like where I am from in the MD area. Back there, the average commute from the office to a place you would want to live in MD is at least 40 minutes. The average commute to where you can afford to live is much longer. Try more like an hour plus. You could commute from Unicoi or Erwin to Johnson City just for an example in under 30 minutes and it would be a similar change from rural to city like driving from Western Maryland all the way to Baltimore. That drive in MD takes over two hours to get out of the sprawl and have a nice home in the country like that where you can have a few acres for little Suzy to have a pony, Johnny, an ATV, and Mom can have her garden, easily head out fly fishin' on the weekend or be home from work in time to take the boat out on one of the lakes, instead of commuting an hour home to a little house in the 'burbs'. I encourage anyone thinking of relocating their business to come down here for three or four days and just drive around the cities and then head out in different directions into the rural areas. You'll either love it or not get into it at all. I loved it. Pitched everything and never looked back. No regrets.

[NorthernLights]

I also don't know why you would have to go outside of Johnson City. I have seen some sites like Kennemetal and other large industrial buildings right around Johnson City that seem to be sitting vacant. Large, good looking buildings that look like they were recently closed down that seem to be sitting vacant right in and around Johnson City. What's wrong with getting people to lease them and hire local folks?
I would like to see other people with more local knowledge list good industrial sites they know of right here that are sitting vacant. C'mon, you folks have been here longer than I have. Throw out industrial sites you know of that seem to be vacant that might be ripe for new businesses or out of town companies!!!!

[rccrain]

Piney Flats Industrial Park
industrial park rd Piney Flats, TN - Google Maps

This industrial park has several filled and vacant facilities. I know that Electrolux took its jobs to Mexico about 5 years ago leaving behind a massive facility. I have not heard of it being filled.

Here's a problem... Note the drive from this location to the airport. TRI is 30 minutes away on a small winding road.
http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=In...=UTF8&t=h&z=12

This could be fixed with a HWY connecting TRI to HWY 11E.

[rccrain]

Location #2. TRI - the tricities airport

This airport is so underutilized. If the area around the airport could be developed industrially instead of residentially, it would be of great benefit to the entire area. Who wants a house beside an airport anyway? There are several open buildings along HWY 75 and even more "ready to build" areas.

[anidez28]

I heard there is a Hellicopter building factory in Piney flats ? is that true ?
I think this area should be able to attract giant mfg operation like eastman if they try hard enough. we have great potential here and it will help local economy a great deal if we do.

[rccrain]

Yes, Edwards & Associates Inc occupies a large building in the Piney Flats Industrial Park. Also, AO Smith makes water heaters in JC and has a warehouse in Piney Flats.

And yes, we need both a large manufacturing operation as well as a corporate HQ in JC like Kpt has with EASTMAN. We need a nice mix of white collar and blue collar so everyone has a decent shot at making a living.

[mbmouse]

Edwards and Associates laid off over half of their work force two months ago.
I hate to be a downer, but to get a large manufacturer to move their head quarters here, they have to be able to sell the product they are making nationally and globally. Until the national and global economy shapes up, I don't see it happening.