It’s been four years since Macon County had an employee dedicated to growing the community’s economy. That’s about to change quickly.
As three new members joined the Macon County Economic Development Commission (EDC), and State Farm Insurance franchise owner John Hamlin was elected the new chair, the group quickly turned its focus to filling the position dedicated to growing local businesses while creating new jobs and investments in the county.
“I don’t think this needs to sit for three more months,” said Hamlin. “I feel like this is the most urgent thing this committee can do right now.”
He wants to finalize the next steps within 30 days. Others voiced their support, along with some thoughts on what the county’s overall strategy should be.
Jenkins 2022
The last person to hold the position was former state legislator, Tommy Jenkins and his New South Strategies. Jenkins stepped down as full-time director effective April 15, 2022. He worked in a part-time role for a little while longer. Overall, he held that position for 11 years.
In his absence, the county contracted with the Southwest Commission Council (SCC) to represent Macon when businesses looked to this region for relocation or expansion. A point of contention was that the SCC also contracted with other counties for the same role.
Virtually every commissioner voiced concern regarding that arrangement. Without someone charged with representing Macon County directly, could the county count on any real prioritization?
Cory McCall, co-owner of Outdoor 76, was the first to pose the question, “Southwest Commission is a great asset for us. I did question how when a business comes, and there’s jockeying for position for Macon County or for somebody else, how do we get a fair shake when they (SCC) are handling multiple counties.”
Macon County Commissioners Barry Breeden and John Shearl agreed with all the expressed sentiments. Shearl went on to say that the next director needed to meet the requirements and be invested in the community.
The SCC contract was not renewed by the EDC.
Next Steps
County Manager Warren Cabe said choosing the direction for the county is the EDC’s to determine.
Hamlin asked the members to submit their top 10 concerns and strategic ideas as quickly as possible, and hoped the commission could meet again in May.
Steve Grissim was joined by every member when he said the new director needs to focus on the modern job market and ensure home-based employees recognized Macon as a great place to live and work. Many said a focus needs to be on marketing the community for all its quality-of-life assets, not just business incentives or industrial sites.
“Our (town) philosophy is that you don’t worry as much about (the work of) attracting people because you try to improve the quality of life for the people that live here,” said Town of Franklin’s Vice Mayor Mike Lewis. “And like the old saying says if ‘you build it’, people will come.”
One question was whether the next director should be a contractor, like Jenkins, or a county employee. Cabe researched other counties and said it’s “all over the place.” Some counties use full-time employees, others use contractors.
To accomplish its goals, the EDC and county manages a budget of more than $490,000 for projects, small business grants, and incentives for new business.
New members
In other action, the 10-member committee will consider revamping its by-laws and potentially expanding the members to an odd number.
The three new members are:
- Steve Grissim, owner of the River Green development.
- Johanna Fein, executive director of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce.
- Jeff Weller, a member of the Highlands town Board of Commissioners.
- Stacy Guffey is also new to the board through his role as mayor of Franklin. Vice Mayor Mike Lewis served in that role previously.
- Returning members are Jim Breedlove, chair of the Macon County school board and executive at United Community Bank; Warren Cabe, Macon County manager and non-voting member; Hamlin, owner of a local State Farm franchise; McCall, co-owner of Outdoor 76; and Brett Rogers, vice president of Franklin-based military contractor Duotech.
In addition to Hamlin’s chair position, Brett Rogers was reelected as vice chair and Highlands’ Johanna Fein was elected as secretary.
