From Staff Reports
Every day, around the world, businesses are choosing places to locate new facilities. To attract new businesses and maintain a thriving economy, East Tennessee must act now because the world won't wait.
That was the message Innovation Valley Inc., an investor-directed program dedicated to recruiting, retaining and expanding business growth, delivered to community business leaders at a kick-off breakfast Monday morning.
The group outlined its plan of traditional economic development marketing strategies as well as innovative tactics in work force development, education and technology-led economic development to grow local business.
Additionally, organizers announced the group has already raised $4.2 million toward the $16 million cost of the five-year campaign.
Live, streaming video connected the event across three locations: the Airport Hilton in Blount County, the Knoxville Convention Center in Knox County and Pollard Technology Conference Center in Oak Ridge. The locations span the 25-mile-long Innovation Valley Technology Corridor and underscore the regional approach now under way.
Blount Partnership President and CEO Fred Forster said he was impressed by the presentation and that the future looks bright for the region and for the organization.
"I think it's going to be very successful. I think we've got people in the region now interested in working together," Forster said.
Bryan Daniels, executive vice president for industrial development for the Blount Partnership, will be the chief contact between Innovation Valley and the Blount County Chamber of Commerce.
There have been previous efforts to promote the region's economy. Daniels said he believes conditions now are conducive for this effort to match expectations. He said the economy is changing. "I think what you're seeing now is the economy in the U.S. is leading toward research and development, what we call technical manufacturing," he said.
A change at the north end of Pellissippi Parkway encourages companies to look at this region, according to Daniels. Oak Ridge National Laboratory has opened up to work with private businesses. "Oak Ridge has become a user-friendly facility. Companies can come in," he said.
The region is trying to cater to those companies wanting to locate near the national lab, near the University of Tennessee and near McGhee Tyson Airport.
"That's why we're building our technology park," Daniels said, referring to Pellissippi Place that will be built off Pellissippi Parkway at Old Knoxville Highway.Seeking regional impactCommunity, business and government leaders in attendance at the event Monday were treated to a synchronized presentation, a technology-fueled event led by Innovation Valley Inc. board chairman Dr. Thomas Mason of UT-Battelle in Oak Ridge and board members Kevin Clayton of Clayton Homes Inc. in Blount County and Jimmy Haslam of Pilot Travel Centers LLC in Knox County. "We have put together a truly unique partnership of business and community leaders to help our region compete globally for increased economic growth," Mason said.
"It's all about a regional impact, and we realize that by partnering instead of competing, we have much more to gain for the Innovation Valley Technology Corridor. It all works together, and together it works better.
"The Innovation Valley Inc. board members Mason, Haslam and Clayton introduced the organization's goals and strategic plans. The effort employs a comprehensive, five-year economic development plan designed to build on the successes of the Jobs Now! program and lead Innovation Valley into the future. At the conclusion of the presentation, University of Tennessee men's head basketball coach, Bruce Pearl, addressed guests from the Knoxville Convention Center location.
"The world is moving ahead in areas of education, technology and business recruitment. Just watching the Olympics from China helps you appreciate that fact. We need to keep up," Pearl said. "East Tennessee has what it takes to meet the challenge, to recruit and train the best team and rise to the occasion. We've got to work together to be successful, to be at the top of our game."
"The central idea behind Innovation Valley Inc. is that a single successful partnership benefits all partners. It doesn't make any sense for us to devote energy and resources to working against one another when the real competition is not down the road, it's around the world," said Mason.
"This kick-off event was indicative of the unified, inspired coalition that Innovation Valley Inc. represents in our region," said Clayton. "This is the first step in bringing everyone together to collectively improve and secure our economic future and to position Innovation Valley as the place to locate or grow your business.
"Partnering organizations in Innovation Valley Inc. include Blount County Chamber of Commerce, Knoxville Chamber, Loudon County Economic Development Agency, Oak Ridge Economic Partnership, The Roane Alliance and Tellico Reservoir Development Agency.
Innovation Valley Inc. plans to increase economic prosperity in the region by focusing on six program areas:
� Education and workforce development
� Technology and entrepreneurship
� Global marketing
� Business retention and expansion
� Public policy
� Resources for living
By addressing these key program areas, Innovation Valley Inc. intends to foster growth for communities in our region and those who do business here. And in doing so, generate headlines that more business and prosperity are headed to Innovation Valley, according to a prepared statement.
To learn more, visit www.innovationvalleyinc.org.
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