JOHN COFFELTEditor

Work on a new strategic plan for Coffee County to run from 2024-2029 is coming to a close following about a year of research into areas that may need attention as the population of Coffee County grows and new jobs and industries are added to the county.

Coming in at 18 pages, the document will be presented to the Coffee County Commission and offers goals for each committee as well as plans and objectives for the county as a whole.

Chairman of the board Lynn Sebourn said the report noted two large employment growth opportunities, including the Interstate Industrial Site (formerly called the megasite) as well as 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 the need for a new Justice Center to meet the 20-year needs of the county.

The plan also highlighted the need for a 10-year plan for the expansion of Coffee County Schools in coordination with the 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 concludes with a snapshot of current population trends. According to TNSDC data, 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 statistics from between 1990-2022 listed in the document shows a fluctuating rise from 18,000 people employed in 1990, with employment peaking with 24,000 in 2006 to drop to 19,000 in 2010. Employment in the county has recovered somewhat since the COVID-19 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.

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.