ADVISORY WORKING GROUP FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MEETING MINUTES
10 SEPTEMBER 2024
Chair Commissioner Evan Baddour opened the meeting asking Commissioner Matt Rubelsky to offer a prayer and lead the pledge. The minutes of 26 August 2024 were moved for approval by Commissioner Joyce Woodard, seconded by Commissioner Annelle Guthrie, and were approved unanimously. The Chair noted in the absence of Commission member Judy Pruett that Carman Brown would represent district seven.
County Executive (CE) Graham Stowe was asked if he had any announcements, and he discussed two. One being, a POC has been identified for water testing the Campbellsville Spring. Two, as discussed in the previous meeting (LCWSA) CEO Mr. Daryl Williamson, who had addressed challenges of new developments without a detailed understanding of the infrastructure required for increased water and waste water distribution, had encouraged an engineering study. The CE noted he had drafted a rough RFP and was having it reviewed by Mr. Williamson.
The Chair then gave an overview of the purpose of the Advisory Group with the ultimate ending being a report to provide to the Economic Development Council potentially in October. He then introduced the two speakers, i.e., Mike Whitehead, President of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT), and Kevin Rose, UT Extension County Director for Giles County. Respectively they would speak on Workforce Development and Sustainability & Criticality of Agricultural Enterprises.
Mr. Mike Whitehead brought several handouts which described in detail the program offerings of TCAT, as well as the different locations (TCAT serves five other counties besides Giles), numbers of students both on campus and dual enrollment students with high schools. He discussed the additional modifications to the campus with 36K square feet being added in the old Poplin location (which will house both automotive mechanical and cosmetology classes). He discussed the successful placement of the students with an 80 to 90 % job placement upon graduation. He discussed several grants already received, e.g. several from Perkins that funded professional development for the instructors, increased computer and welding (identified as one skill much needed across industry), focusing on dual enrollment (purchased equipment and allowed hiring of additional faculty [for all locales]), and a power utility fields TVA grant for associated fields in utility workforce. He also mentioned their work with adult education particularly for achieving through HISAT their high school education, as well as working any remediation adult students with high school educations might need, e.g., math. Mike’s associate Tonja Garrett was praised for her work in community involvement and he mentioned campus employer visits as well as field trips, HR breakfasts so can better understand the companies’ needs (have an advisory committee that looks not just at present but long term as well). Commissioner Gayle Jones asked about Home School students and Commissioner Matthew Hopkins expanded the question about nothing being on the brochures or website about home school student opportunities. Mike said he had taken note and would be working on that. The Chair asked what challenges he could see for the future workforce and Mike said they have excellent relationships with business, community, and industry leaders for their input, but is open to new ideas from anyone in the communities served. The Chair asked if they have additional questions, could they email those later, and Mike said please share them. Economic Director Phil Reese made the point that what TCAT does benefits the other counties’ students which in turn benefits Giles County. Most industry he said looks for employees within a 60 minutes driving range.
Another question on emergency management (paramedics, EMTs, etc.) training was raised and Mike mentioned his discussions with other counties noting their interest in developing that type class but nothing has actually happened. Mike said it was time to revisit. Tonja was asked if she had anything to add and she mentioned a previous job fair which the last one had been well attended both from vendors and from students. When capacity allows that will be another initiative for the TCAT to own she said.
Mr. Kevin Rose then spoke, saying he has 37 years’ experience within his office, and that each county has an extension office but noting that we also have UTS. He too brought handouts but while the information was useful, the information was also more than 2 to 3 years old, generally from census data and from surveys. He mentioned the average size farm is 166 acres, that Giles County is in the top 3 in beef products, but poultry farms are increasing significantly (usually the land and facility is owned by the farmer and the birds are owned by large corporations such as Aviagen Hatchery). He discussed the revenue from all agriculture sales which includes a variety of products, e.g., milling, fertilizer, tourist venues like Pumpkin Patch, as well as beef and poultry. He discussed the 1 million acres of land loss within Tennessee showing an imminent development “threat”. Several talked of the differing economic forces in play, i.e., development interest and the associated revenue from different taxes, vs loss of the best flat land which provides food which sustains life and also builds our economy. Kevin mentioned some of the approaches to reduce that loss such as a land preservation bill currently being worked through the state, and securing young farmers to continue the tradition. He also mentioned problems with watering cattle when droughts or freezing limits water supply to all. He said they have used two tankers filled from local streams but with droughts that may not be feasible. Aviagen actually worked with “their” poultry farms to provide water here. The Chair said a plan is currently in place partnering with Emergency Services. A question from Commissioner Matthew Hopkins how is communication sent out on such issues. Kevin said he had a list and would add the Commissioner’s name to it or all the commissioners’ names. He said they are looking at a grant that would allow them to purchase a van to drive around and pick up Giles products and deliver to the appropriate end user. Emphasizing the importance of “buying local”, he mentioned all the products available in Giles County that all should be using and called out PickTn.org as a resource website. He also mentioned the use of drones to spray, calling out army worms in North end of county. He noted the disposal of dead animals is essential to keeping our waterways free of deadly bacteria. He thanked the commissioners for their support of his use of the Ag Park in particular for the 4-H kids. Jessie Parker, Director CoC, mentioned their work with Maury Co encouraging farming as a career, and providing an Ag week for every 4th grade student to remind them where food comes from and she also mentioned their entrepreneurial USDA initiative giving a platform for farmers to sell their products, saying check Shopourhometown.org site. Commissioner Terry Jones asked do we want to grow this county or do we want to keep it under the 30K population. Kevin said with growing that could mean we would have to rely on other countries for our food, given that increasing housing would tend to reduce the availability of farmable land.
Commissioner Annelle Guthrie asked how many Giles farmers are using the DNA testing, and Kevin said he wished 100% but typically it is the most progressive seller of their products. The Chair said he was taking note of at least two action areas of interest, i.e., dead animal removal and funding the Ag-Park.
The Chair asked if any other comments and with there being no other comments, Commissioner Matthew Hopkins moved for adjournment and with Commissioner Carman Brown providing the second, the meeting was adjourned.
Members of the Advisory Group – Chairman Commissioner Evan Baddour, other Commissioners David Wamble, Carman Brown (for Judy Pruett, absent) Joyce Woodard, Annelle Guthrie, Matthew Hopkins and Brad Butler Other Commissioners in attendance – Gayle Jones, David Adams, Erin Curry, Matt Rubelsky, Terry Jones Others in attendance – County Executive Graham Stowe, Economic Development Director Phil Reese, Chamber of Commerce Director Jessie Parker, UT Extension Office Director for Giles County Kevin Rose, President of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) , Mike Whitehead and Tonja Garrett, and member of the public
