Could Add Up To 125 Jobs At Piney Flats Plant

The Sullivan County, TN, County Commission's Administrative Committee heard from economic development official Jack Lawson at its regular meeting Monday concerning a possible expansion of Bell Helicopter's repair and overhaul facility at the Tri-County Industrial Park.

Bell is looking to buy a 41-acre parcel and invest about $1 million for the property and new equipment, according to a report appearing in the Bristol (TN) Herald Courier. Larson said that Bell is also looking at other sites for the expansion, and argued that the county and state should provide incentives to bring the expansion to the area.

Lawson asked the commission to approve a $195,000 economic development grant and ask the state to provide $866,000. Bell would pay a little over $190,000. He said there was precedent for the approval of grants higher than the normal $750,000 limit.

Commissioner Dwight King of Piney Flats said his conversations with state officials lead him to believe the grants would be approved.

The committee vote to approve the land sale to Bell was unanimous, but there were a couple of dissensions when it came to green-lighting the grants. Commissioner Ed Marsh expressed concerns that the county would actually lose money on the deal after the incentives were added.  The proposal will be before the full commission later this month.

FMI: www.sullivancountytn.gov