Aug. 12--BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. -- The partnership to market a section of land at Tri-Cities Regional Airport for industrial development began nearly six years ago, when Networks -- Sullivan Partnership and airport officials tried to lure a HondaJet to the Tri-Cities.
While the production facility was eventually built in North Carolina, the project brought the two organizations together. They both grasped a unique opportunity to market industrial land adjacent to the airport.
"We saw some great potential out there," Sullivan -- Networks Partnership CEO Richard Venable said.
That partnership has been firmly cemented over the last year. The two organizations have started a full-fledged effort to market the roughly 100-acre site. Networks gave the airport $35,000 to market the property and hire a consultant to study what industries would be attracted to the site. At the same time, Networks has been sending out inquiries to industrial development brokers.
"I think we are perfectly positioned to attract people," Venable said. "For a regional airport, we have very good air service."
Tri-Cities Regional Airport Trade Development Specialist Mark Canty said he envisions companies that are associated with the aviation industry, like an aircraft maintenance company or a light manufacturing company.
The airport already has built-in synergy with Bell Helicopter in Piney Flats.
"I imagine that it would be anything aviation-related," Canty said.
The first phase of the industrial park is ready for development. The site is 21 acres, is already level and the utilities are installed.
The site will soon be a preferred industrial location in Tennessee. The airport is in the process of getting the project Tennessee Site Certified. Canty said that would mean more referrals would come from state economic development officials.
The airport is in the middle of a huge construction project associated with the second phase of the development. The airport rerouted Hamilton Road and is installing a taxiway along the entire frontage of the planned project.
"That way, companies can get part deliveries or access to the runway," airport Marketing Director Melissa Thomas said.
Thomas said the project is important for the long-term financial health of the airport.
"We are trying to keep the costs to the airlines as minimal as possible," Thomas said. "In order to achieve that, we have to have more income streams."
She said the airport would probably have a long-term lease with a company that locates inside the airport industrial park, which would generate revenue for the airport.
Venable said Networks has been in contact with a representative of a large unnamed company that is interested. The individual visited the site and should make a presentation to the company in the coming weeks.
Venable said Networks has already sent an email to around 400 brokers who deal with industrial land and several ads have been placed in trade publications.
"We have had some people come back and ask for more information," Venable said.
Thomas said the airport must take a long-term view of the project, as it could take years to market the entire parcel. But in the end, the economy and local workers will benefit from aviation development at the airport, she said.
"It's a long-term view," Thomas said. "Nothing is going to happen soon."
Copyright 2013 - Bristol Herald Courier, Va.
