Economic Crisis Fuels One of a Kind Opportunity in Tennessee

    LINDEN, TN, June 26, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- With the economic downturn raging through the nation and the unemployment percentages rising like a shuttle launch, businesses are becoming harder and harder to manage. But in the State of Tennessee, between Nashville and Memphis, lies rustic Perry County where leaders boast a series of unparalleled economic initiatives that are offered nowhere else in the nation.

In January of 2009, crisis struck Perry County in the form of unemployment that peaked at a devastating 27% with the loss of over one thousand automotive related jobs. The saying, "It is always darkest before the dawn" comes to mind considering the recent events. In Perry County, the darkness- an unemployment rate not seen since the great depression- has come. And now in June of 2009, the dawn has arrived. Through the federally funded American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and an initiative created by Governor Phil Bredesen, business owners have access to fully reimbursable labor until September 30, 2010 by hiring eligible local residents. Additional factors such as a well trained workforce, inexpensive land, low taxes and numerous available spaces with cheap rent make Perry County arguably the best place to do business in the nation.

Another major element that makes Perry County a golden opportunity for business is the low cost of living. A recent publication reports that Perry County is the fourth most affordable place to live in the United States. Per square acre, land in Perry County is well below the national average and the tax rate is a meager $2.29 per every $1,000 of assessed value. And then there is low rent...
In an aggressive response to the recent unemployment crisis, leaders of Perry County have committed to negotiate a rental rate proportional to how many local employees will be hired for a 52,500 square foot county owned industrial building. County Mayor John Carroll says of the former automotive warehouse facility now known as the Bethel Road Industrial Complex, "We are really hoping to encourage businesses to locate in Perry County and are willing to charge little or no rent for a tenant who makes a long term commitment to the county."

While the natural beauty of Perry County, which includes two of the clearest rivers in the country, has always been one of its main assets, the quality of life is further enhanced with the cultivation of a growing arts community. Linden, the county seat, is encouraging artists of all mediums to capitalize on the low utility and rent costs available to them. Relocating artists can utilize the ARRA free labor incentives as well. The location of Perry County provides artists central access to both Atlanta and Dallas Merchandise marts, as well as Chicago and the major east-coast markets. In fact, Linden's charming downtown is ideal for artist studios and retail businesses alike. The area possesses ample storefronts within the new Linden Arts & Historic District and the local government is looking to create an additional incentive to encourage artists to relocate by developing legislation to make the district sales-tax free for local artists. Furthermore, they are revitalizing vacant storefronts through temporary museum displays that help support a growing tourist economy. Linden Mayor Jim Azbill has been instrumental in the revitalization of downtown Linden. Current projects include the construction of a new welcome center, refurbished sidewalks, tree plantings and greenscapes, and improved streetlights to go along with public arts projects that will breathe soul into the downtown area. Mayor Azbill is also optimistic about utilizing the ARRA labor reimbursement incentive to fill storefronts when he says, "Anyone who has ever thought of starting a business has a great window of opportunity that may never be available again. Entrepreneurs from all over need to understand that the time is now and there is no reason to hesitate. Time's a wasting!"

Mayor Azbill is currently overseeing a summer youth program that employs over sixty people with the purpose of developing arts and business opportunities throughout the county. The agency, VisionPerry, is a new community development office comprised of student journalists, web designers, graphic artists, artists, landscapers, marketing personnel, and laborers. These personnel, also funded by ARRA, work within an incubator atmosphere as they develop strategies to promote business, tourism, and public art.

Source: Vision Perry
Website: http://visionperry.com

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