BusinessTN

Hardin County boasts the distinction of being the only county in the state in which, as Jerry Hunt of Team Hardin County says, “to borrow a phrase—a river runs through it.” And not just any river, but the Tennessee River—the same river that cuts twice through the state and is one reason for Tennessee’s distinct three regions.

Hunt, the recently retired CEO of Team Hardin County, says with confidence that the future of Hardin County, located on the Tennessee-Alabama state line about midway between Memphis and Chattanooga, is in tourism. “We’re placing major emphasis on the growth of our tourism industry,” he says, “and our recent record-breaking hotel and motel tax receipts bear that out.”

In July 2006, Hardin County saw the largest hotel and motel tax receipts in the history of the county. “That’s a quick gauge of how we’re doing with our tourism,” Hunt says. “Within the last ten years, we’ve grown our hotel and motel tax receipts some 200%, and the county uses those funds to support the operations of the Conventions and Visitors Bureau. Tourism is going to be—far and away—our number one growth area in the foreseeable future.”

Two major changes in Hardin County are contributing to the bright future of tourism within its borders. The first was the opening in 2001 of the Pickwick Landing State Resort Park and Conference Center, with its guest rooms and suites, 7,500-square-foot convention center, fitness and recreational amenities, 250-seat restaurant, and customer-tailored catering services. Pickwick Landing State Park is the destination of between one million and 1.5 million visitors a year, and the addition of the Conference Center allows for multi-day conferences and conventions within the county. The second major change that will positively impact tourism in the county—as well as bring in jobs and other opportunities for residents—is Hardin County’s new “Tennessee River Premiere Resort” bill allowing the sale of liquor-by-the-drink within three miles on either side of the Tennessee River within the county and in the county seat of Savannah. “Bigger restaurants and hotels will take a fresh look at Hardin County now,” Hunt says.

In addition to Pickwick Landing, Hardin County offers visitors such attractions as the Tennessee River Museum, Indian Mounds, Ross Creek Landing State Park and the Shiloh National Military Park. Festivals, fairs, riverboat rides, symphonies and Christmas festivities are just a few of the annual events staged for residents and visitors. Another aspect of Hardin County that is seeing a boom is the influx of “second-home” buyers. “Hardin County, while a nice retirement spot, is also a prime location for folks looking to have a summer or vacation home on the lake,” Hunt says.

Beth Pippin, executive director of the Hardin County of Chamber of Commerce, points to “The Preserve,” an upscale, gated-community development planned for the Pickwick area, as evidence that people are also moving to Hardin County to live and work. “Hardin County offers it all—a place to vacation, live or retire,” she says. Although there is growth in the new home sector and in tourism, Pippin is proud to share that Hardin County was selected by Tennessee’s Economic and Community Development board to participate as a Pilot Retiree Community—one of only ten counties to receive this distinction. The state will help promote Hardin County at various national retirement-related expos and conferences, and representatives from Hardin County can take information about their area to the expos. “I’m proud of this distinction,” Pippin says, “and the Tourism Department and the Chamber are working together to reap the most benefits from it.”

All residents of Hardin County will benefit from the recent major overhaul of Hardin Medical Center, the county’s locally owned hospital. “A total revamp and remodel of the hospital made it more accessible to all our residents. The hospital now offers more programs and specialists,” Pippin says. “People won’t have to travel outside the county for their health care needs.” Hardin County Medical Center is also one of the largest employers in the county. But Hardin County is not just a pretty place to live—it’s a wonderful place to work, too. “Our county offers one of the highest manufacturing wages in the state of Tennessee,” Hunt says, “at an average of $25 an hour.” The three largest industries in the county are Packaging Corporation of America, which employees approximately 600 workers; Clayton Homes with its approximate 400 workers; and Praxis Industries, which employs 300 workers.

As an example of the ongoing industry expansions and acquisitions taking place in Hardin County, Praxis recently purchased an 11,000-square-foot building on five acres in the Industrial Park and is purchasing 17 acres adjacent to their existing property there. By press time, Lowe’s will have closed on a new, $10 million store that has been in the works for two years. The Industrial Board utilized an $850,000 tax-increment financing (TIF) incentive for infrastructure for the new Lowe’s. Hunt cannot reveal details but says that two new industries are in negotiations with the county as of press time—one is in the bottled water business, and the second is in the transportation industry.

“Industrially,” Hunt says, “we’re looking at about 80% of our industrial growth to be in expansions of existing companies and 20% of our growth to take place with incoming new industries. Industry will be a major creator of jobs over the next ten years.” With the addition of Lowe’s as a major retail anchor, Hunts foresees new retail growth in Hardin County, as well. “When Lowe’s turns dirt,” he says, “we’ll see interest from other retail outlets and chain restaurants.”

Another of Team Hardin County’s economic initiatives is the Team Hardin County-NAIA, the member organization of Team Hardin County that maintains a contract with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to host the national championship football game in Hardin County-Savannah each year. For the last ten years, the NAIA, described by Hunt as “the NCAA of small schools,” has held its championship game in the county, and for the last four years, it has been televised. The game reaches 75 million households across the United States. “Team Hardin County-NAIA owns the rights to televise the broadcast,” Hunt says, “which gives us 24 30-second commercial spots during the broadcast.” The 24 commercial spots are used by major sponsors, the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Hardin County, and the Savannah Industrial Development Corp.

Pippin, a lifelong resident of Hardin County, stresses that Hardin County’s Chamber of Commerce, Team Hardin County and area residents are all pulling together to build their community. “Many things have changed at the Chamber over the years,” Pippin says. “And there are numerous things we want to do.” All signs indicate that these efforts are proving successful. Recently, readers of Memphis’ The Commercial Appeal chose the Pickwick area of Hardin County as the “Best Weekend Getaway” in a Reader’s Choice Awards poll. “We’re growing—and improving,” Pippin says. “Come and visit. Come and stay!”