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HUNTSVILLE, Tenn. — U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said Thursday that Scott County is well-situated to take advantage of the Southeast's emerging status as a leader in the auto industry.
Speaking to Scott County government and community leaders at the County Office Building, Alexander said Scott County has a number of assets that make it a desirable place for auto suppliers to locate.
"Scott County is at the center of the population, it's located in a 'Right to Work' state, and it has one of the best four-lane highway systems in the country," Sen. Alexander said. "Scott County also has the infrastructure in place.
"Auto plants aren't the important thing to Scott County; it's the suppliers to the plants that are important to Scott County," Sen. Alexander added.
Takahata Precision America, located in Helenwood and a supplier of precision-moulded auto parts, recently announced that it would expand its operations in Scott County with a 44,000 sq. ft. addition to its plant.
The senator also added that the county's large supply of natural gas and the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area are assets that make the county a good location for businesses to locate.
Scott County Mayor Jeff Tibbals, County Commissioners David Jeffers (1st District), Dennis Sexton (4th District) and Brian Armstrong (4th District), County Trustee Jimmy D. Byrd, County Attorney John Beaty, Finance Director Carol Lowe, Tax Assessor Steve Thompson and Veterans Affairs Officer Ron Keeton were among those in attendance, along with a number of the county's business leaders.
Mayor Tibbals told Sen. Alexander that Scott County is currently working to assist the companies currently located in Scott County. Among the positive developments involving local employers: Huntsville-based Department of Defense textiles contractor Tennier Industries is recalling more than 200 laid off workers, trailer manufacturer Great Dane is adding several dozen jobs, and Oneida-based JDS Technologies has added a number of jobs as well. On Tuesday, Takahata will break ground on its facility expansion.
"Although the April numbers didn't show it, I believe the numbers will be coming down in May and June," Mayor Tibbals said.
