Lowe In The News

PASS FINNEY'S VITAL MEGASITE LEGISLATION
The Jackson Sun
April 13, 2009

Sen. Lowe Finney, a Jackson Democrat, has introduced important legislation that deserves passage by the General Assembly and a signature from Gov. Phil Bredesen. The legislation would effect the formation of regional megasites, including the one in Haywood County, if passed into law.

Currently, a megasite is defined as "an area of at least 1,000 contiguous acres certified as being suitable and available for development for significant economic and industrial development." Finney's bill would amend the Tennessee Regional Megasite Authority Act of 2007 to allow additional separate acreage to be designated as part of the megasite. The bill has passed the Senates State and Local Government Committee and is waiting for a vote on the full Senate floor.

Finney's bill is a necessity if there is to be efficiency in completing the Haywood County megasite. With this bill, it would become possible to construct exits off the highway and to complete infrastructure that would help prepare it for potential businesses.

Completing the Haywood County megasite is important. Once it's completed and open for business, it will be able to attract a major industry. That's good news for Haywood County, but it's also good news for the rest of West Tennessee. Megasites mean jobs. And not just for the people of Haywood County, but for people throughout the region.

If we have one request of lawmakers, it is simply to keep the money in the budget already dedicated to the completion of the megasite. Gov. Phil Bredesen has dedicated completing what he calls "the state's No. 1 megasite." It would be a shame if lawmakers were to remove that funding for any reason, especially considering what the megasite will mean, once it's completed, to the people of West Tennessee.

The Haywood County megasite is important for the future of our region. And the next step in completing it is to pass this important legislation.