Conceding 'Megasite' Still Isn't Ready, Tennessee Officials Say They're Going To Ask For Help

The state of Tennessee is asking for $2 million next year to whip the Memphis Regional Megasite into shape, a process that will include hiring an outside consultant to assess why the decade-long project hasn't yet landed a major manufacturer.

The Department of Economic and Community Development is hoping to hire an industrial siting firm by January that will take stock of the industrial park's infrastructure and recommend what other improvements are needed. ECD has already rerouted a state highway, built new ramps to the interstate and made many other infrastructure improvements at the megasite, but last week ECD officials said that two companies had rejected it, in part because it still lacks a sewer line.

Economic Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe said that until all of the work is finished, no company is going to be interested.

"We mean 'pad ready,' " Rolfe told Gov. Bill Haslam at a budget hearing last week. "It's a matter of just coming on the site and starting grading and off to the races."

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