East Tennessee Economic Development Agency (ETEDA) celebrates 25 years of helping the region land industry
When people think about business recruitment, names like the Chamber of Commerce or a local economic development agency usually come to mind. But, there is one agency in East Tennessee that serves as the region’s only unbiased economic development organization, promoting the entire 15-county market nationally and internationally.
That organization is the East Tennessee Economic Development Agency (ETEDA), which provides confidential assistance at every stage of the site-selection process across the region’s 15 counties. This year, ETEDA is marking its 25th anniversary.
“Before ETEDA, there was Tennessee’s Resource Valley and the East Tennessee Industrial Association,” said President and CEO Brad Maul. “ETEDA came out of a question: How do we combine these resources and really ramp up what’s possible? Twenty-five years later, that’s still the core benefit of our organization. We’re the unbiased third party that represents all 15 counties throughout East Tennessee, and our primary charge is marketing externally to job creators and larger corporations.”
A business shows interest. Now what?
Understanding ETEDA’s role starts with understanding how a typical prospect moves through the pipeline.
It usually begins with a Request for Information (RFI) from the State of Tennessee or the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). ETEDA stays in regular contact with both, keeping them updated on available buildings, sites and any regional changes.
From there, ETEDA works with local partners like the chambers of commerce, economic development agencies and utilities to respond to that RFI. If a company likes the RFI, they then select a handful of counties to visit. ETEDA steps in as an unbiased project manager, showcasing all the options while letting each community speak for itself. They also supply consistent fact sheets for each county, ensuring every county is measured against the same benchmarks at this stage.
Once a company narrows its search to one or two finalists, ETEDA steps back and hands the project to the county’s economic development agency.
Looking back on memorable moments
When you work in economic development for many years, there are always some moments that seem to stand out among the rest. Maul had a few that came to mind:
- Smith & Wesson: The firearms manufacturer wanted a more affordable, business-friendly home, with Blount, Knox and Loudon counties all in early contention. Ultimately, a site in Blount County won out once its workforce and quality of life resonated with company executives who’d be relocating. Maul points to it as a true regional win whose impact is still felt across East Tennessee today.
- Greenheck Group: Knoxville wasn’t originally on Greenheck’s radar. It took a push from a commercial real estate firm just to get the city considered. An early morning site visit to Midway Business Park before leaving town on the company’s first visit sealed it: fog rolling across the field and a coyote crossing in the distance. “You could watch people go from ‘Why is Knoxville on the list’ to ‘this place really surprised us,’” Maul said.
- Cobalt Boats: A well-prepared, 40-acre site in the Roane Regional Business & Technology Park sat untouched for years despite steady interest, until ETEDA helped bring in a spec-building developer. Before the first building was finished, Cobalt Boats — a subsidiary of Malibu Boats — announced 800 jobs and $75 million in investment.
Looking ahead
For Maul, the anniversary is less about celebrating the past than reaffirming ETEDA’s future.
“Twenty-five years ago, a group of regional leaders asked how we could do this better — not competing with each other, but not duplicating efforts either. I want the same to be true 25 years from now. We’re not here to replace what communities already do well. We’re here as a partner. For us, that comes down to helping our 15 communities in whatever way fits them best.”
Like what you've read?
Forward to a friend!