After representatives from the proposed Merchants Greene Crossing development in came before the Hamblen County Commission Finance Committee on May 11, on Thursday, the Hamblen County Commission gave its blessing to a development which is slated to contain two big-box stores in the South Bellwood Road area.

The resolution for an economic development plan for the complex passed on a 10-2 vote.

Voting yes were Commissioners Debbie A’Hearn, Jamie Carden, Thomas Doty, Edna Greene, Chairman Bobby Haun, Stan Harville, Rodney Long, Mike Reed, Mike Richardson and Kyle Walker. Voting no were Commissioners Peggy Howell and Wayne NeSmith.

Commissioners Tim Horner and Joe Huntsman were absent.

At the May 11 meeting, Jay Moneyhun, an attorney with Bass, Berry and Sims, represented the Hamblen County Industrial Development Board and bond counsel to the City of Morristown. Also attending that meeting was Marshall Ramsey, president of the Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce, James Crain, IDB member and developer Frank McGuffin.

“This is an economic impact plan, which is a legal document that will authorize a tax increment financing for this proposed development,” Moneyhun said May 11. “It is a large retail development in the Merchant’s Greene area that will result in a substantial increase in property tax base and sales taxes that will benefit the city and county.”

Moneyhun also said that this development will result in a significant amount of infrastructure improvements, which is the part of the tax increment financing to be paid with increment tax revenues.

Moneyhun said that McGuffin had submitted an application for tax increment financing that listed all of the parameters of the project and the infrastructure improvements that would be installed as part of the project. In accordance with its TIFF policy, the IDB reviewed this and initially approved the document, Moneyhun said. The IDB authorized Bass, Berry and Sims to draft the economic impact plan. The IDB held a public hearing and meeting after a 14-day notice appeared in local newspapers.

There were no public comments objecting the development.

The TIFF has been submitted to both Morristown City Council for approval as well.

On May 11, a commissioner asked McGuffin if there were any particular stores in mind that could be divulged.

“Unfortunately, at this point in time, we are bound not to mention any names,” McGuffin said. “These are tenants that are not located in Hamblen County right now. I think they’re going to be a major asset to our community.”

The area is located on the south side of the railroad tracks to Veteran’s Parkway, resulting in development on both sides of Merchant’s Greene.

In other action passed by the commission, an agreement between Hamblen County and the Morristown-Hamblen Humane Society was passed; a request from the Third Judicial District Recovery Support Services was also approved; and a FY 26 Homeland Grant Security Application was also approved.

Resolutions to utilize the Tennessee Certified Recovery and Mental Health Recovery Court Program awards for FY 26-27 were also passed, as was a litigation settlement involving Holston Connect services.

A change order for the Brady Drive Storm Water Project was approved by commissioners.

Budget amendments for a $2,562,500.21 increase to the Hamblen County Department of Education, as well as two budget amendments from the County Clerk’s office totaling $48,900; a Drug Court fund increase of $9,005; and an increase to the Register of Deeds Office of $10,000 were also passed.

Upcoming commission meetings regarding the FY 27 budget are Monday, June 1 and Thursday, June 4. Both are at 5 p.m.

Due to this, the County Committees meeting has been moved to Monday, June 15 at 5 p.m. and the County Commission Meeting is Thursday, June 25 at 5 p.m., both in the large courtroom of the Hamblen County Courthouse.