At Least One Retailer Has Visited Putnam Fairgrounds To Consider Purchase

At least one large retail company is interested in locating at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.

Mayor Randy Porter said the Nashville-based firm representing the county needs a signed letter for intent of purchase by March.

“We’ve already had one visit from a company that’s come here to look,” Porter said. “I think we will have some more, and there’s several companies I think that are interested. We just don’t know any details yet. Most of those companies are secretive until they get to the point of making a decision.”

The county recently extended the option with the developer giving another 120 days. That means a company has agreed to consider moving to Cookeville or approve the site. If completed, the option calls for a purchase price of $12.42 million.

Porter said information from interested retailers has been disclosed for competition reasons.

“We respect that,” Porter said. “We just want to make sure we got one that’s going to be good that will come and purchase the property.”