News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A grading project at the Clarkrange Regional Business Park is celebrating completion.
UCDD Economic Development Planner Aaron Lay said the work involved basic site management and leveling out topographical challenges.
“This really helps mitigate risks for potential businesses when they’re looking at sites,” Lay said. “We’ve already done some geotechnical work, the site is graded, and there’s an access drive. So it puts the park in better a position to be more competitive.”
Lay said the project originally began in 2019, when the Fentress County Industrial Development Board applied for grant funding. He said the property provides Fentress County industrial opportunities that is available for existing businesses to expand to and outside companies to locate.
The business park features 241 developable acres of vacant land and is near Highway 127. Lay said this was work was made possible through a $500,000 site development grant from TDEC.
“This funding was certainly instrumental in doing some site grading work and installing an access drive into two lots up there so we can bring in prospective companies and they can understand the lay of the land,” Lay said. “So they can better visualize what a new building or a series of building might look like when they’re building.”
Fentress County Government was an important partner in the completion of the project, contributing to the local match. The IDB and the Fentress County Government partnered together to fund the local portion of the project.
“I am extremely thankful to the Industrial Development Board for their ongoing efforts to develop the Business Park and create quality job opportunities for our residents,” Fentress County Executive Jimmy Johnson said. “I am very grateful to have a pro-business county commission that eagerly supports the work of the IDB. We look forward to welcoming the future company that will call CRBP home.”
