DANDRIDGE, Tenn. (AP) — Jefferson County Mayor Alan Palmieri says a proposed industrial megasite should go back to the drawing board.
The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is leading an effort to develop an 1,800-acre tract near interstate routes 40 and 81, saying it could help reduce the county’s unemployment rate of 11.7 percent.
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The Knoxville News Sentinel (http://bit.ly/10OOTKW ) reported Palmieri says he’s concerned that taxpayers could be liable for the proposed megasite’s $306 million cost.
Other residents are also skeptical. Jean Wood of the group Save Our Farms and Homes points to a megasite in Clarksville where Hemlock Semiconductor recently announced 300 of the 400 employees were being permanently laid off.
Chamber official Garrett Wagley said only about $2.5 million in county funds would be involved in the Jefferson County site.
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Information from: Knoxville News Sentinel, http://www.knoxnews.com
