Governor's conference to emphasize rural ECD

Gov. Phil Bredesen, in a telephone interview Thursday with the Times-Gazette, said this year's Governor's Conference on Economic and Community Development will have a special focus on rural communities, some of which haven't shared completely in the state's recent economic success.

"It's ... very patchy," said the governor, who telephoned a series of Tennessee newspapers to talk about the 54th annual conference. There are some communities that have done very well, while others have missed out. The conference, he said, will be about helping to give every rural community the resources it needs to help recruit or retain businesses.

The governor plans to stress three specific programs at the conference:

* A rural opportunity venture capital fund, which includes both state and private funding;

* "Orange carpet" tours which will bring industrial site selection consultants into various parts of the state. This will not only help the consultants learn more about what Tennessee has to offer but will give local communities the chance to solicit feedback about how they could improve their prospects.

* Expanded incentive packages for industrial projects. Bredesen said too many local chamber executives or municipal officials don't understand the state's incentive packages as well as they should and can't present them properly to prospects. Instead, they just turn the prospect over to the state.

The conference will be held at the Nashville Convention Center. Tom Oreck, president and CEO of Oreck Corp., the well-known maker of vacuum cleaners, will be the keynote speaker. Walt Wood of Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce will lead one of the breakout sessions, on the experience of hosting corporate headquarters such as those of CalsonicKansei North America in smaller communities.

Bredesen said that while firms like Nissan aren't in a small-town setting, the idea of corporate headquarters in small towns is something that needs pursuing, especially towns like Shelbyville that are within a reasonable driving distance of a major airport.

"I think it's an opportunity that could be pushed," said the governor.

The conference also marks the traditional presentation of the Governor's Three Star Award, which recognizes preparedness for economic development. Each of the honored counties gets its own photo opportunity with Bredesen.

"That's when I earn my money every year," he joked. While the process is time-consuming, it also gives him a chance to catch up with local officials whom he doesn't get to see that often.

Bedford County will again receive the Three-Star award.

For more information about the state's economic development initiatives, go to tnecd.gov.