Lowe In The News

"BAILING OUT" RURAL AMERICA
The Jackson Sun
January 18, 2009
By Senator Lowe Finney

President-Elect Obama has unveiled the major themes behind his "American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan". There are many pieces, we know it will be costly, but we also know that no other viable options to revive our economy are even being seriously considered. Republican leaders have voiced early support for this plan. So far, I like what I hear.

The President-Elect has indicated support for any projects which would be "ready to go" within 90 days; there are dozens of programs in Tennessee that would quite reasonably fit within this category. Education will remain a priority in Tennessee, so I propose three specific needs that immediately focus on one thing: creating jobs.

Uncompleted Road Projects

Gov. Ned McWherter taught us that roads bring jobs, and we have many road projects in West Tennessee that need to be finished - such as the completion of four-lane Highways 104 from Trenton to Dyersburg and 79 from McKenzie to Milan - and rural bridges that need to be upgraded. I know from my work on the Transportation Funding Study Committee that many of these projects get tied up in federal red tape, but this work is important to beautifying our rural neighborhoods and making them more marketable for potential employers.

Megasite Development

There are three megasites - large tracts of undeveloped land that are ideally suited for large industry - in Tennessee, one in each grand division. Recently, the entire state rejoiced at the announcements of the Volkswagen plant project on the Hamilton County site and the Hemlock Semiconductors project on the Montgomery County site. One undeveloped site remains, and it is located in Haywood County. Every county in West Tennessee would benefit from a major development at this remaining site.

I sponsored the Regional Megasite Authority Act in 2007 to make it easier for local governments to jointly develop land for the purpose of attracting large companies. The legislation is the vehicle through which our county and city leaders in West Tennessee can work to complete the Haywood County project, and I urge them to continue their efforts in doing so. I also applaud the great efforts of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce for working in a regional fashion. But specifically, I urge Governor Bredesen to redouble the State's efforts to attract the larger development projects throughout our region while making sure that existing industries are receiving the attention they need in these challenging times. This is a priority for West Tennessee families and one that I will fight for in this session.

Community Block Development Grants

The Department of Economic and Community Development does an excellent job of administering the Community Block Development Grant program, which works closely with local governments to build and improve parks, downtown renovations, sewer systems, and other projects important to the safety and quality of life for rural families but which many smaller communities cannot afford to complete on their own. These projects are great ways for Tennesseans to immediately benefit from the local investment of tax dollars, because they provide jobs and improve neighborhoods. This program should continue to be a part of any economic development plan.

The next several weeks and months will continue to present a set of complex challenges for policymakers in Washington, Nashville, courthouses, city halls, and kitchen tables all across our state. It is important that we have realistic goals and expectations. But I believe we have the tools we need and can make 2009 the year of recovery for families throughout our state and region.

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