Photos by Barry West
The Coffee County Joint Industrial Board made a proposal to the county commission last week in an effort to convince a German automotive-related manufacturer to locate in the Manchester Industrial Park. Board member and realtor Roland Segroves had sent the proposal to commissioners in writing and attended the meeting to request a vote for it. The proposal would require the county to commit to a monthly payment to improve the industrial property. Segroves said the plan would promise huge economic rewards over the next 15 years if the company accepts the deal. He claimed the firm would bring 500 jobs to the county and would make a substantial investment of personal property and equipment, which they would pay property taxes on. The state is offering to pay $4.7 million to support this project, and that leaves $1.5 million for the city of Manchester and county to spend. Seagroves noted that TVA is offering to loan the county $1.5 million at point 61 percent for 15 years, and which means Manchester and the county would each have to pay $1601 per month.
