Industry Growth in East Tennessee: Jefferson County
In the East Tennessee Economic Development Agency’s Summer 2007 newsletter, Bill Underwood, general manager of the Appalachian Electric Cooperative, reported that Jefferson County is “poised for great things.” Between 1990 and 2000, Jefferson County’s population grew 34.4%! This growth, and a 14% increase in per capita income between 2000 and 2006, is largely the result of the area’s rapidly expanding tourism, manufacturing, and education sectors. Because of Jefferson County’s fortunate mix of qualities that are highly regarded by developing service and manufacturing industries, there’s every indication that this growth will continue long into the future.
As the entire East Tennessee Valley has benefited from its geographic location, so has Jefferson County with Interstates 40 and 81 providing easy access to and through the county. New industries look for areas with strong transit routes such as this, but the county has so much more to offer: large areas of available land suited for industrial development; an attitude of growth and improvement in the local leadership; and close proximity to the urban amenities that Knoxville has to offer, such as fine dining, theater, festivals, and sports. Tennessee provides a pro-business tax structure while utility companies have joined with local leaders and those in the economic development community to provide incentives to attract and retain businesses. Equally important is the work ethic for which the people of East Tennessee are known.
Although manufacturing is the bedrock of the county’s economy, many work in education, medicine, and in services supported by tourism. Jefferson City is home to Carson-Newman College, one of the South’s best liberal Arts colleges, according to US News and World Report; St. Mary’s Jefferson Memorial Hospital, a beautiful 5-year-old, state-of-the-art facility; and numerous retail, service, and entertainment establishments. With two Tennessee Valley Authority lakes and the French Broad River, rolling hills and lush foliage, Jefferson County is enjoying a rapid growth in tourism and has recently become a choice destination for retirement.
