by Marcus Washington
ROBERTSON COUNTY, Tenn. - If you build it, they will come. That's the hope from two mid-state counties as they look to bring an industrial or technology park to the area like no other in the region.
What looks like an empty field near exit 19 off of Interstate 24 in Robertson County, is what two counties see as the future.
"That would be attractive industrial park for companies that wish to do business there and it will be a major economic engine for the western part of the county," said Mayor Howard Bradley of Robertson County.
Right now, leaders in Robertson and Cheatham counties are working together in an effort to make the area an industrial or technology park.
Monday night the Robertson County commission approved a $1 million line of credit to start building the infrastructure for the development- a water line to the area followed by gas and sewer.
"I want to stress this is preliminary. We don't have any of this land control at this time, but this is a vision for the area that is about 1,200 acres. Build it out, it could be thousands of jobs for Robertson County and Cheatham County," said Margot Fosnes of the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce and Director of Economic Development.
Another big part of this project, the area would be completely green; everything from the roads to the sewage system; which is part of the plan to set the area apart from anything else in the area.
"What we're after are the better jobs and the technology center that's green and sustainable and that where we're headed with this project. There won't be anything like this period anywhere," said Chairman of Economic Development Board, Roger Blackwood.
The plan is said to cost tax payers nothing and leaders hope it will turn this empty field into a gold mind for two counties.
The 2,100 acres of land is not owned by the two counties. The owners of the land will be able to sell the property to potential business owners.
With the two counties are working together to make things happen, there is hope to get state grants to help pay for the$7 million project.
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