The Golden Triangle Development LINK is set to reveal a major economic development project this month.
In a “save the date” email sent last week, the LINK teased an announcement, scheduled for Aug. 19. The announcement is set for 10 a.m. at the Courtyard Marriott, 1995 Sixth St. N., in Columbus, according to LINK Vice President for Internal and External Affairs Macaulay Whitaker.
The LINK did not confirm what the announcement will entail, instead deferring to an unnamed economic development partner at the Aug. 19 announcement.
However, a teaser video from the LINK, posted Thursday on vimeo.com, shows a logo for the “Infinity Megasite,” as well as a partial site map for what may be an as-of-yet unannounced development.
The video also includes a mock-up news page that reads “Economic Development Expected to Strike a Fourth Time.”
The LINK invitation also notes that Tennessee Valley Authority Chief Executive Officer Bill Johnson will be present at the announcement.
TVA began a megasite program in March 2004 in response to a growing need for large industrial properties for automotive manufacturing and other industrial facilities in its coverage area, according to TVA public relations spokesman Scott Brooks. TVA is a federally funded corporate agency that provides electricity in Tennessee and parts of six other southern states, including north Mississippi.
“TVA originally created nine sites, each approximately 1,000 acres with access to utilities,” Brooks said. “Five were sold rather quickly, generating $5.2 billion in investments and more than 5,500 jobs.”
A megasite, in industrial development, is a large parcel of land designed to accommodate industrial production. Megasites are typically developed with suitable infrastructure and transportation access to attract businesses.
The Golden Triangle has three megasites.
Lowndes County is home to two of those megasites, both in the industrial park off of Highway 82. Steel Dynamics, Inc. occupies one megasite, and PACCAR takes up a portion of the other.
Prairie Belt Power Site, a third megasite in Clay County, is home to Yokohama Tire Corporation.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.