Why Businesses are Investing in Blount County, TN

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The power of public-private partnerships is being felt across Blount County. Businesses and local governments are working together on infrastructure projects that create jobs and encourage economic growth and investing in Blount County. 

Those projects include a new Amazon fulfillment center; a high-speed internet network that will enhance public safety, government services and economic development; and a new mixed-use development at Pellissippi Place business park. 

In Alcoa, where Amazon is investing about $200 million for a new warehouse and announced plans to create hundreds of full-time jobs, city officials agreed to redesign Alcoa Highway to make transportation more efficient for residents and the company. 

A few minutes down the road, in Maryville, the city worked with Avero Advisors and Avero Infrastructure to establish a high-speed internet network downtown. Communications companies such as Allevia Technology and Spectrum Business Enterprise Solutions will have the opportunity to lease the fiber optic lines and provide high-speed communications service to residents and businesses in the district. 

A joint effort by Alcoa, Blount County, Maryville and Knox County created Pellissippi Place business park. Now Nashville-based developer Ramston Capital is investing millions in a mixed-use section of the park. 

Ideal for Amazon 

When Amazon was looking for the ideal location for its new warehouse, Alcoa stood out. The new warehouse is less than 10 minutes from McGhee Tyson Airport, which handles commercial airline service, air cargo, military operations and general aviation. 

“In advance of opening a new facility, we evaluate our network to make sure it fits our business needs and improves the experience for our employees, customers and partners. We found all of these key components in Blount County and are thrilled to become a new neighbor,” says Divina Mims, Amazon spokesperson. 

Amazon is one of many businesses growing its presence in the region. 

Pellissippi Place was launched in the early 2000s as a joint project between the cities of Alcoa and Maryville and Blount and Knox County governments. They agree to split sales and property taxes equally. 

ProNova Solutions is the sole tenant of the 450-acre business park so far. The company has been on-site since January 2015. It is the manufacturing arm of Provision Healthcare, a leader in cancer therapy. 

The master plan for the technology research and development park, where Pellissippi Parkway merges into Old Knoxville Highway, includes areas for commercial businesses, residences, offices, and research and development. 

Ramston Capital’s new mixed-use residential project includes a four-building apartment complex with 456 units and two 4,700-square-foot commercial buildings on 13.3 acres. The commercial buildings will have a mix of office, restaurant and retail space. 

High-Speed Growth 

The high-speed internet network established by Avero Advisors and Avero Infrastructure is primarily used by the governments of Blount County, Maryville and Alcoa, but some private entities have leased access to the system, says Abhijit Verekar, founder and CEO of Avero. 

The network’s name, MACnet, is short for Maryville, Alcoa and Blount County. 

“Overall, Avero Advisors and Avero Infrastructure’s work on MACnet has helped to establish a critical infrastructure asset that can serve as a foundation for future economic growth and innovation in the area. The significance of MACnet is that it encourages economic development and makes downtown Maryville and Alcoa more attractive as a business location,” Verekar says. 

The high-speed internet network enables local businesses to compete in the global marketplace and has the potential to attract new businesses and residents to the area, he says. 

“MACnet is a significant achievement that demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships to create innovative solutions to pressing community needs,” Verekar says. 

Moving to Maryville: Smith & Wesson

In 1852, inventors Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson started the Smith & Wesson gun manufacturing company in Massachusetts. Now, more than 170 years later in 2023, company officials have moved the S&W headquarters from Massachusetts to Blount County. 

Throughout 2023, a new headquarters complex was under construction in Maryville on 240 acres within the Partnership Park North industrial development. After the new headquarters is fully occupied, the company will also move its plastic injection molding, assembly and distribution operations to the Maryville site. 

“Key factors for the decision to choose Blount County were support for the Second Amendment, a business-friendly environment, cost of living and affordability, and access to higher education institutions,” says Deana McPherson, Smith & Wesson executive vice president, chief financial officer, treasurer and assistant secretary. “Other factors include availability of qualified labor for our operations and headquarter functions and a favorable location for efficiency of distribution.” 

Smith & Wesson’s investment will total about $125 million. 

“We are looking to fill approximately 350 operations jobs, and we will look to hire approximately 75 additional professional positions,” McPherson says. 

“I have no doubt whatsoever that our culture and our company will continue to thrive here,” S&W President and CEO Mark Smith said in a news release. “Not just because our culture will be welcomed, but because it will be strengthened by being here.” 

New Hangar at McGhee Tyson Airport

McGhee Tyson Airport is a busy place, home to five commercial airline carriers that offer flights to destinations that include Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Orlando and Washington, D.C. The airport in Alcoa provides an annual economic impact estimated at $1 billion. 

In addition to commercial and general aviation traffic, McGhee Tyson also serves as a Tennessee Air National Guard base for the 134th Air Refueling Wing. The 134th ARW provides in-flight refueling of military aircraft.

A newly opened $31 million hangar at McGhee Tyson for the 134th ARW is equipped with a corrosion control section, an avionics shop and a maintenance section. Much of the work in the hangar is geared toward the upkeep of KC-135 Stratotankers, which have provided the main aerial refueling capability for the U.S. Air Force for more than 60 years. 

The 134th Air Refueling Wing is a 16-time recipient of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.