(Jackson, TN) Southwest Tennessee Development District recently hired John Scott, an economic development specialist from Georgia, to market and “sell” the Southwest Tennessee region, assist local economic developers in preparing and submitting RFIs, prepare drone and mapping footage of available industrial sites in a searchable website, assist in preparing strong prospect presentations as requested, and conduct market research trends and analysis for the area.
Most recently, John was director of economic development at the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce where he successfully located a SK Battery plant in 2018, resulting in $2.7 billion in local investment. At the time, it was the largest project in Georgia’s history. John is experienced in creating incentive packages and terms, marketing industrial sites and properties; as well as managing industrial property websites – complete with site details, drone footage, and promotional videos.
John’s position was created after several meetings with the elected officials, chamber of commerce leaders, and industrial development professionals to plan ways to capitalize on industrial locations in Southwest Tennessee as BlueOval City comes online. John’s role will be, primarily, to assist the district’s rural counties and communities by creating all the components needed to market available industrial sites and to assist, as requested, in meeting the quick turnaround timing of an industrial prospect’s RFI, presentation, and/or site visit.
“We are excited about the partnership these communities have created for the common goal of strengthening our region and seizing opportunities that BlueOval City will create,” said Joe W. Barker, SWTDD executive director. “John’s experience will tangibly help chamber and industrial professionals – who often wear many hats besides industrial recruitment.
“John already is forging relationships with regional leaders, creating databases and documents to market available industrial properties, and learning the strengths and weaknesses of the area.”
In addition to a Master of Science in Economic Development and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, both from the University of Southern Mississippi, John is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) and has extensive experience in the industrial recruiting arena. Besides the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce, he has worked with the Brunswick & Glynn County Development Authority in Georgia and the Choctaw County Economic Development Foundation in Mississippi. John, wife Shelley, and their four children are in the process of relocating to West Tennessee.
“The economic developers and community leaders in this region have done absolutely incredible work with the BlueOval Project. I’m thrilled to work alongside them and contribute to Southwest Tennessee’s ongoing success in attracting new projects and investments,” said John. “I’m passionate about economic development and look forward to partnering with local leadership to bring even more economic opportunity and prosperity to the people of our region.”
John Scott can be reached at SWTDD by emailing him at jscott@swtdd.org or calling him at 731-664-6423.
(PHOTO: John Scott)
