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Original Date: 01/22/2001
Revision Date: 01/18/2007
Information : Strategic Plan for Economic Development
The Strategic Plan for Economic Development is a work-in-process program for planning the future and preserving the past of Johnson County, Tennessee. The Plan is addressing five initiatives: land use/infrastructure; environment; workforce development; employment; and community.
Johnson County, Tennessee has a total population of 13,766. Since the mid-1980s, the County has suffered a net lost of over 3,000 jobs. This significant impact has produced a negative ripple effect throughout the area including the closure of the County’s only hospital in 1998. National issues on tobacco further complicated the situation regarding the future outlook of local farmers. Each day, more than 2,000 workers commute to other counties with only 100 coming into Johnson County. A strategic economic program was needed to plan the future and preserve the past of the County.
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) and the First Tennessee Development District enjoy a long-standing partnership that, in 1999, resulted in the U.S. Economic Development Administration issuing a grant for the partners to develop a Strategic Plan for Johnson County. The Plan is being managed by a demographically representative planning team, and addresses five initiatives: land use/infrastructure; environment; workforce development; employment; and community. Action plans detailing the process on each initiative are nearing completion.
The Strategic Plan for Economic Development has already produced positive results. As a result of the planning team’s efforts so far, Johnson County has been designated as a Champion Community. This designation makes the County eligible for additional resources. A regional community/technical college has committed to establishing local post-secondary courses by June 2001. Several Federal and state agencies have also offered technical and financial assistance to meet the projected outcomes of several action plan items. Two new wood product manufacturers have started manufacturing operations, taking advantage of the County’s timber resources.
For more information see the
Point of Contact for this survey.
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