East Tennessee Megasite Meeting

East Tennessee Megasite informational meeting held at Smoky Mountain Expo Center, White Pine, Tennessee – Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

A large group of Jefferson County residents gathered at the Expo Center in White Pine last week with the intent of gathering information on the recently proposed manufacturing Megasite. According to the Public Relations Firm Moxley Carmichael of Knoxville, residents in the footprint of the proposed site were invited to attend the open house, though the number of residents that turned out for the informational event far exceeded the number of residents whose property falls within the footprint. By halfway through the open house, more than 125 residents had signed in with the Moxley Carmichael, though one account executive with the firm stated that many people elected to forgo the sign in process and the actual numbers were much larger.

Informational posters were positioned in the room and members of EDOC, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson County government were positioned around the room to speak individually to those with questions and concerns. A major issue of concern for property owners was the possibility of eminent domain, should negotiations with Blanchard and Calhoun, EDOC’s negotiating agent, be unsuccessful. Conflicting media reports and urban information spread had raised eminent domain as a probability, if negotiations with property owners fail. Garrett Wagley, Director of Jefferson County’s EDOC, stated that there are no plans to invoke eminent domain. Jefferson County Mayor Alan Palmieri stated that negotiations have just begun with property owners and that every major improvement in Jefferson County has had some controversy attached to it. He stated that the time frame that EDOC is working under puts invoking eminent domain outside the time line, and he hopes that residents will keep an open mind to change. Mayor Palmieri said that he is sensitive to the fact that residents are just now beginning to assimilate information about the Megasite and what the proposed site could mean to Jefferson County. He stated that it is his job as Mayor and the position of those involved in the proposed project to be fair to all residents of Jefferson County and that protecting Jefferson County’s interest, should the Megasite come to fruition, will be his top priority. The Mayor stated that he hopes that Jefferson County can sidestep the backlash from change and move together toward a better economic future for the County. Some property owners, however, were clear about their trepidation regarding the Megasite and unhappy about the forum that was utilized for the meeting, as an open house rather than a presentation followed by question and answer session for the public. Limited space and access to Megasite organizers resulted in many residents coming away with few answers. Property owners held their own organizational meeting later in the week.