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THIS IS AN ARCHIVED SITE

This site contains information that has been considered archived and will no longer be updated. Please click here to go to the CURRENT eda.gov website.

A bureau within the U.S. Department of Commerce
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Annual Report

Tennessee


Program # of Grants EDA Funds
Economic Adjustment Assistance 2 $1,645,330
Public Works 2 $3,020,000
Disaster Relief 5 $7,860,504
Planning 2 $351,000
Technical Assistance 1 $128,592
Total 12 $13,005,426

During Fiscal Year 2013, EDA invested $13,005,426 in 12 projects in the State of Tennessee. These projects are expected to create or retain 1,070 jobs and leverage $118,194,848 in private investment, according to grantee estimates. EDA’s investments help Tennessee communities achieve bottom-up, locally-defined economic development goals and strategies.

EDA offers a complementary, balanced portfolio of grant programs designed to help rural and urban communities grow their private sectors and create jobs.

Investment Spotlight: Industrial Capacity Upgrades

Located in the Tennessee Innovation Valley, the Sugarlimb Industrial Park in Loudon County, Tennessee is strategically positioned to access world-class resources in science, technology and business. However, with 13 industries on site, which employ over 500 individuals, existing infrastructure capability proved to be an obstacle to meet industry demand.

To meet the park’s needs for future growth, EDA awarded $1.5 million to the Loudon Utilities Board to fund the construction of a new electrical substation in the Sugarlimb Industrial Park. By providing more reliable electrical service, the new substation will reduce exposure to electric service disturbances and allow the industrial park to attract and retain businesses in growing industries, including materials science, nanotechnology, and carbon fiber technology.  The investment is expected to help create 178 new jobs and result in $70 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

This increased capacity was critical for securing the location of an Italian tile manufacturer at Sugarlimb.  In December 2012, Del Conca USA committed to building its first North America manufacturing facility in Loudon County. Del Conca USA ceramics uses high-tech manufacturing processes to keep pace with the growing tile market, using techniques such as applying nanotechnology to its manufacturing processes. Exported worldwide for use in both residential and commercial facilities, tiles produced by the new manufacturing operation in Loudon County will also help the company better serve its major U.S. customers.