JOHN COFFELTEditor

Work on the Coffee County Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) campus is expected to begin in November on the 40,000 square foot facility.

Project Executive Jackson Simpson with Batten Shaw Construction presented a site plan, which was unanimously approved during the Coffee County Planning Commission’s Sept. 24 meeting.

“The TCAT facility on the Woodbury Highway, it’s a 12-month job,” Simpson said. “We plan on starting it around November. It’s pretty significant site work to get back in there. It’s the first step in that large industrial development.”

The TCAT campus will share a portion of the larger area recently acquired by the state to be developed as the I-24 Industrial Site (formerly called the Mega Site).

Once complete the TCAT facility will offer welding, industrial electric, cosmetology, nursing and possibly truck driving.

“This is part of the governor’s initiative to put these across the state,” Simpson said.

TCAT-McMinnville President Dr. Melody Edmonds said during the August groundbreaking ceremony that the facility was a game changer for the county.

“Ultimately, it is an investment in the community and its people for life changing future careers,” she said. “This new Coffee County facility will be a game changer.”

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.