2025 7 7 Work Session Packet website 1

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Agenda Item 
III. A. Progress Update from Lindsey Ferguson, Executive Director of the McMinn County
Economic Development Authority, on the Mount Verd Industrial Park Site Preparation 
Project and Marketing Redfern Industrial Park 
Overview 
EDA Executive Director, Lindsey Ferguson will discuss two  of the three industrial sites loc ated 
within the city limits of Athens: the Mt.  Verd Ind ustrial Park a nd the Re dfern Industrial Site.  
T
he Mt. Verd Industrial Park features approximately 200 acres of industrial -zoned land situated 
j
ust off Interstate 75 at Exit 52. Included in the FY 2025-26 budget is $1,900,000 to complete Mt. 
Verd Industrial Park improvements using an  ARC grant ($950,000), city funds ($475,000), and 
county funds ($475,000). Of those funds, $100,000 will be used to complete the engineering and 
pr
ovide construction administration and $1,800,000 for construction. This project is on bid, bid 
ope
ning is July 31, 2025. 
The Redfern Site offers a pproximately 86 acres of subdividable, rail -served property, also zoned 
for industrial use and located just three miles from I-75. No funds are included in the FY 
2025-26 budget; however in November 2022 Resolution 2022-31 (attached) was approved 
authorizing the p
urchase of a portion of real property located on the southeastern edge of the city-
owned Redfern industrial site at the intersection of Jackson Street and Redfern Drive, off the west 
side of Parcel # 290.00 on Map 047, encompassing land of approximately 2.93 acres, from Teresa 
Louise Vincent for $58,600 to be used as the main entrance. However, that land purchase was 
never completed.  
Informational flyers for each site are attached. 
Action to Consider 
Consensus is needed to move this item to the July 15, 2025 regular session for consideration. 
Affected Departments 
1