Friends,
Over the past several weeks, I’ve attempted to emphasize the critical condition the rural counties in West Tennessee find themselves in. This comes despite herculean efforts on the part of local officials to save and recruit local industry. They recognize the changing jobs climate and are doing everything possible to ready their counties for these 21st Century jobs. They will succeed, but the obstacles facing them are, in my opinion, much greater than other parts of the State. In West Tennessee, we have had at least 3 megasite proposals and have finally been able to attract attention and resources to one. This site, both actually and symbolically, holds the promise for a new future here. It is our first attempt at major regional job creation and stands as the shining example as what can, and hopefully will, happen in rural counties. We know we must lean on the state for vital assistance, but we also believe that those efforts will be rewarded by making our section of the State as productive and contributory as possible.
This is a critical time for us. The megasite has the ability to affect the West Tennessee and beyond. The site is the visible part, and will form the basis for both on-site and regional supplier jobs, but the stakes are much higher than that. An extended delay, or other action or inaction to jeopardize the completion of the project at the earliest possible time, will set back economic development efforts in West Tennessee for much too long.
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as a state representative from rural West Tennessee. Now is the time for this Megasite to become a reality. Far too much is at stake to allow ourselves to get caught up in political and bureaucratic webs.