Enterprise South Industrial Park has been designated as a megasite - a large industrial property suitable for major automotive manufacturing, officials announced Thursday morning.

The property was certified by McCallum Sweeney Consulting of Greenville, S.C., an independent firm commissioned by TVA.

It is the first site in Tennessee and the fourth in the Tennessee Valley to be certified as a megasite. Sites in Columbus and near Tupelo, Miss., and a site near Hopkinsville, Ky., were previously certified.

The 1,600-acre site at Tyner off Bonny Oaks Drive is part of the former Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant.

A new $22 million entrance to the industrial park is being built by the state off Interstate 75 near Ooltewah.

Among those taking part in the announcement at the Development Resource Center on Market Street were TVA Director Bill Baxter and Tennessee Economic Development Commissioner Matt Kisber.

Mr. Baxter said, "Chattanooga's certified, ready-for-development megasite gives the community and the Tennessee Valley a huge advantage in recruiting new automotive manufacturing facilities and other industries. There is a large demand for certified industrial sites in the automotive industry, and the Enterprise South Industrial Park allows Chattanooga and the state of Tennessee to be fierce competitors in this highly aggressive business."

The site is co-owned and co-developed by Hamilton County and the city of Chattanooga and is supported with marketing and infrastructure expertise from various partners including state and federal officials, the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and TVA.

Working in partnership, TVA’s economic development staff, distributors of TVA power, and economic development partners will market the site to automotive manufacturers seeking to locate facilities in the Southeast, officials said.

“This megasite certification is a seal of approval that will send a loud and clear message to developers all over the country – and around the globe – that Enterprise South Industrial Park in Chattanooga, Tenn., is a world-class site for an automobile manufacturing plant,” said County Mayor Claude Ramsey. “This certification also puts us on the map as a first-rate contender for other manufacturing operations. Megasite certification represents a major milestone in the history of business and manufacturing in Chattanooga.”

TVA launched the megasite certification program in March 2004 in response to a growing need for large industrial properties appropriate for automotive manufacturing facilities. TVA has learned that several major manufacturers may locate additional automotive plants in the Southeast during the next decade.

“Enterprise South’s megasite certification literally puts Chattanooga on the short list for major manufacturing and industrial operations looking to expand,” said Mayor Ron Littlefield. “The investment we have made in Enterprise South makes it one of the best manufacturing sites in the country, and over time, it will be a tremendous generator of high paying jobs for the citizens of our community.”

Based on its expertise as a site selection consultant for the automotive industry, MSC was commissioned by TVA as an independent source to evaluate the submitted sites. All site applications were reviewed, and site visits were conducted by the consultant. Recommendations for property improvements and suitable industry-specific uses were given to each of the communities that submitted sites.

“Companies, especially in the automotive industry, are under tremendous market pressures to make siting decisions and start up new facilities at a record-breaking pace,” said MSC Senior Principal Ed McCallum. “With the addition of the Enterprise South Industrial Park, TVA now has an inventory of four certified sites that are ready to meet the stringent demands of an automotive assembly plant.”

The site meets all minimum criteria for certification, including size of at least 700 to 1,000 contiguous acres, land availability, transportation access and labor capacity, it was stated.

Rep. Zach Wamp said, "From manufacturing to technology growth, Chattanooga is a leader in economic and community development. Megasite status puts Enterprise South at the top of the list in assets the state of Tennessee has to market for large scale investment as we bring the world to Tennessee."

Commissioner Kisber said, “Governor Bredesen is fond of asking the question, 'what is it that differentiates you?' We take that question to heart in our efforts to grow more jobs across the state, and in that we are always seeking to market those elements that set us apart from the competition. The certification of Enterprise South Industrial Park as a TVA megasite helps put Tennessee and the Chattanooga and Hamilton County areas in a positive position to attract more higher-paying, better-skilled jobs. Enterprise South will be another key tool in our economic tool box that we can use to create new opportunities for our state.”

Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Economic Development Trevor Hamilton said, “Dozens of people and organizations at the local, state and federal levels have worked together for months to achieve this designation. Earning McCallum Sweeney Consulting’s automotive megasite certification is a testament to what ‘Chattanooga Can-Do’ means when we’re working to recruit new companies. Thanks to this TVA program, we have tested our ability to compete for an automotive project under real world conditions. The results: auto makers will seriously consider Enterprise South when siting their operations. After all, through this effort, we’ve saved them six to eight months of due diligence.”