BusinessTN

Mountains, lakes and plains—Monroe County is a geographic dream for its residents, offering all that the entire state of Tennessee can, but within the boundaries of its 600 square miles. And in recent years, Monroe County, located along the Appalachian Mountain Range bordering North Carolina, has become a choice destination for newcomers as well. “We’re the third fastest-growing county in East Tennessee,” boasts fifth-term mayor, J. Allan Watson, “and the eleventh fastest-growing county in the state.”

Although Monroe County, established in 1819, is the sixth largest county in the state by land area, its rate of growth is impressive considering that 35% of the county is protected as the Cherokee National Forest. Mayor Watson, a native of Monroe County, counts this as a blessing. “We make up for limited space with tourism,” he says. “Growth is happening, but since zoning is always a controversial issue in rural counties, we’re moving carefully and trying to meet the needs of all the people in the county.”

Indeed, tourism is a big buzzword for Monroe County. According to Julie McDaniel, director of the Monroe County Department of Tourism, the county sells itself with the plethora of attractions it offers. “Within Monroe County, people can travel the Cherohala Skyway, one of the two designated National Scenic Byways in the state.” The Skyway, which begins in Tellico Plains and ends in Robbinsville, N.C., is 45 miles long and climbs up 5,390 feet in elevation. It travels through both the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests, from which it gets its name.

Other area attractions and activities include kayaking, fishing, shopping for antiques in Sweetwater, visiting the artisans’ shops in Coker Creek, and visiting Fort Loudon State Park, the oldest fort in the state, and the Cherokee National Forest.

“The Lost Sea is one of our biggest draws—it is America’s largest underground lake, not to mention a very unique cave experience,” McDaniel says. “And in Vonore, we have the Tanasi Memorial to the village of Tanasi, the Cherokee village from which Tennessee got its name. Another historical site is the Unicoi Turnpike Trail, now a designated National Millennium Flagship Trail.” Originally, the Unicoi Turnpike Trail was the Unicoi Path, approved for commercial use in the early 1800s and recognized as the oldest roadbed in the U.S. “Segments of the Unicoi Turnpike Trail represent the oldest intact roadbed in America on public lands,” McDaniel says, “and 2.5 miles of it in Monroe County have been restored for public use.” McDaniel also reports a new development in Vonore called the Sequoyah Lodge and Lake Resort. The project is being developed by the Overhill Development Co. along with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum. A five-year project, the resort will include a lodge, lakefront cabins, R.V. hookup, canoe launch center, waterfront restaurant, boat slips and much more. It will break ground in spring 2007.

Rob Preston, former president and CEO of the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce, points to Halo Notch Estate Vineyards, Tennes- see’s largest pick-your-own vineyard and a new attraction, as an example of how Monroe County refuses to rest on its laurels. “We also have the largest covered bridge in Tennessee, in Tellico Plains, the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum and the Tellico West Conference Center, one of the best conference centers in the region, located next to the Grand Vista Hotel in Vonore.”

Monroe County is open for business, too, and Shane Burris, director of Monroe County Economic Development, points to location as a significant factor in the growth of business in the area. “We have the infrastructure available—water, sewer, gas, electricity and transportation—and that, along with accessibility to outside markets, makes Monroe County attractive to businesses looking to build or relocate.” Burris points to new industrial, retail, commercial and residential growth in the area as evidence. Located between Knoxville and Chattanooga, there are two exits off I-75 into Monroe County. US Highway 411, a major north-south thoroughfare, runs through the county. Together, these roads offer easy access by ground, in addition to the CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads. A barge terminal located on Tellico Lake has access to the Tennessee River System to the Mississippi River and through to the Gulf of Mexico. Industrial Parks in Tellico Lake are only 22 miles from Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport.

“We are available to practically any market within the U.S. and, via barge, the world. It makes businesses want to come here,” Burris says. There are several industrial parks located within the county, including Sweetwater, Tellico Lake, Vonore, Madisonville and Tellico Plains.

Industries located in the county include manufacturers of laminates, cabinets, countertops and limestone products; and printing, clothing, automotive glass, construction, injection molding, distribution and concrete companies, to name a few. Boatbuilding is big business in the county, as well, with several large companies contributing to its nickname as “boat capital of the South.” Bryant Boats, Mastercraft, Sea Ray and Tennessee Watercraft will soon be joined by Cobalt Boats, which will employ about 350 people and, in adjacent Loudon County, Christ- ianson Boats, which will pull workers from Monroe County to fill its 500 to 1,000 new jobs. Skilled workers in Monroe County are abundant. “We have a very trainable workforce,” Burris says. The majority of employees in the county, approximately 6,000 people, work at the Tellico West Industrial Park. Tellico West is part of the Tellico Reservoir Development Agency (TDRA), an entity offering premiere industrial sites in the Greater Knoxville area and surrounding East Tennessee communities.

Contributing to the economic turnaround of the area is Hiwassee College, the only private, residential, two-year college in Tennessee. According to Mark Elam, vice president for advancement, Hiwassee students receive specialized attention and have leadership opportunities that might not be available at larger universities. “Many of our students are the first in their families to attend college,” Elam says, “and 97.9% of our students are from Appalachian counties, with 40% receiving full financial assistance.” Hiwassee employs more than 100 people, and its support of students of all socioeconomic backgrounds contributes to a strong future workforce for the region.

Not only are people staying in the county, new residents are coming in. “Our population has passed the 44,000 mark now,” Mayor Watson says. And new home construction is taking place. According to Burris, there are proposals for major residential developments in the works.

Telliquah Preserve, a residential retreat built by the Telliquah Resort Development Co., has already begun selling upscale home sites. Company CEO Tom Cormier says homes in the Preserve will be extremely desirable home sites: located on water, bordered by national forest lands and offering all the elements of an “authentic community.” “Our project is geared toward the needs of emerging baby-boomers. They are not moving into retirement with the old cookie-cutter approach of previous generations. They want to experience nature and a holistic type of community.” The Telliquah Preserve, which is entered through a gated covered bridge, is in the epicenter of Monroe County’s natural wonders.

“Our county is beautiful,” Mayor Watson says. “I think God rested here on the seventh day.”