J

The work of a Coffee County committee formed about a year ago is coming to a close with the completion of the Strategic Plan 2024-2029 that was commissioned to provide a picture from listening sessions with listening sessions to identify areas that may need attention as the population of Coffee County grows and new jobs and industries are added to the county.

The 18-page document that will be presented to the full commission offers goals for each committee as well as plans and objectives for the county as a whole.

Chairman of the board Lynn Sebourn said that the report noted two large employment growth opportunities, the Interstate Industrial Site (formerly called the megasite) plus a significant expansion in the workforce at Arnold Engineering Development Complex. The $1.6 billion infrastructure upgrade will bring 3,000-5,000 in new jobs to the base. 

The report recommends the County Commission develop and maintain a 10-year capital projects plan. It also suggested to the body that it develop and implement a pay raise procedure for county employees.

Addressing large capital projects, the document recognizes the county’s plans to build a new animal shelter, health Department and foresees the need for a new Justice Center to meet the 20-year needs of the county.

The plan highlighted the need for a 10-year plan for county school expansions in coordination with the Coffee County School Board to support the expected population growth in Coffee County.

The document suggests the establishment of a Tourism Council with a full-time staff member to promote tourism in Coffee County and moreover a liaison team to support the Industrial Board during the development of the Middle Tennessee I-24 Industrial Site.

The document concluded with a snapshot of the current population trends. According to TNSDC data shown, Coffee County has grown 1.35% from 2021-2022. The current population is estimated at 60,000 people. Growth in the county from over the last 20 years has gone from about 48,000 in 2000 to its current level. That rate of growth over a 20 year period has remained constant since 1940, until recently.

Employment stats 1990-2022 listed in the document, shows a fluctuating rise from 18,000 people employed in 1990. Employment peeked with 24,000 in 2006 to drop to 19,000 in 2010. Employment in the county has recovered somewhat since the pandemic to a few thousand shy of the 2019 peak of 25,000.

Looking forward the document predicts job growth from Middle Tennessee I-24 Industrial Site and AEDC over the next 10 years to be 3,000-6,000 jobs, or a 12%-24% increase over current employment levels.