County EDA on the move

Jonathan Herrmann news-herald.net

Loudon County Economic Development Agency will soon move out of its longtime offices in the Blair Bend Industrial Park.

EDA board members voted 5-3 Thursday to move the office to the Lenoir City Utilities Board headquarters, with the new Loudon City Hall serving as a satellite office, after a motion from Bruce Giles that was seconded by Eddie Simpson.

Giles’ motion came after lengthy discussion that revolved around comments by Loudon City Councilman Tim Brewster. Brewster in January first brought up the idea of moving the EDA when discussing whether to reevaluate the city’s contract with the agency.

Brewster pushed March 11 for council to terminate the lease with the EDA so the property in the industrial park could be sold.

“I’m not a voting member, but I’ve got a question since councilman Brewster is here,” Tony Aikens, Lenoir City mayor, said. “Last month he stated that this office could stay where it’s at. … Then I read in the paper today or yesterday where … he stated that they needed to move out. Obviously, city of Loudon, they own the property and they can do what they want to.”

Brewster told Aikens he changed his mind about being OK with the EDA staying put because of the shape of the building and the roads leading up to the facility.

Giles also took issue with Brewster.

“We’ve been pretty successful in what we’ve done,” Giles said. “… I’ll go around and look at roads and jobs and greenways and lights. There’s just a bunch of stuff that’s been done in the last few years. All of a sudden we’ve got an issue in this county and I have no idea why. I made the argument the last time that I can make a business case that this EDA has done a phenomenal job in the last few years. Just pure dollars and cents, nothing else.

“… Now it’s obvious, at least in my mind, that a portion of the city of Loudon does not want this EDA to function here, so let’s just get on with it,” he added. “Let’s just make a decision and go.”

Questions were raised about rent for the new office locations. Jack Qualls, EDA executive director, said rent would be required by Tennessee Valley Authority should the EDA move into offices owned by a utilities board.

Simpson believed the rent would be based on square footage.

“My understanding is if there’s a utility provider providing the space there has to be some level that has to be agreed,” Qualls said. “It can be whatever, but there has to be something. … Both parties will probably have to do something to make TVA happy.

“... It’s not based on square footage,” he added. “It’s an agreement between the managers. My understanding by TVA — and I’ve talked to TVA about this — is it’s an agreement between the manager and this board what they would charge. It doesn’t have to be square footage. It can be anything.”

Board member John Evans brought up the idea of the EDA splitting time in Lenoir City and Loudon, but other board members felt there should be a primary location and a satellite office in the other facility.

Giles’ motion stated the facility in Loudon would be used only as needed for meetings or presentations related to projects or industrial parks in the city.

Loudon County Mayor Rollen “Buddy” Bradshaw, Loudon Mayor Jeff Harris and board member Bob Elliott voted against the move.

The EDA board must establish a rental agreement with LCUB and decide what to do with surplus office equipment left at the old facility.

Loudon City Council voted unanimously Monday to terminate the lease with the EDA for its current office, providing a 60-day notice.