ROBERTSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — Economic development leaders in Robertson County have been working to recruit new businesses that can help residents enjoy the best of both worlds — city amenities and small-town charm.

"I love the rural parts. I love the farmland. I love the industries coming in. I love the new subdivisions coming in," Robertson County Economic Development Board Chairman Caleb Fuqua, who started a real estate development company in his hometown, said. "I think you can have all those and still keep this community a rural community."

Fuqua works with Economic Development Director Vonda Gates, who's a bit newer to town following years living near the Tennessee-Kentucky border.

"I moved here three years ago, so I'm one of the newbies that have moved into Robertson County, and I've been received warmly and I very much appreciate that," Gates said, adding Robertson County is more than meets the eye. "I have a loft apartment in downtown Springfield. How many small rural communities can say that?"

Letting everyone know that Robertson County can be the best of both worlds hasn't always been easy. One of the people who helped change that was Former Chief Economic Development Officer Margot Fosnes.  

"I think that the biggest challenge to begin with was letting people know we were there," Fosnes said. "I joined the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce in 2006 and at the time, the chamber was the de facto economic development agency for the county."

She said everyone worked together to help bring in new businesses.

"We also did a very intensive capital campaign with businesses and individuals in the county to try to fund some projects," Fosnes said. "And through that, we developed an Economic Development website, developed some marketing materials, and started to really intentionally recruit Robertson County is in a great location."

Their location — between Interstates 24 and 65 — has been a huge selling point for companies. Robertson County's biggest employer is Electrolux Home Products, with more than 1,000 employees.

They're trying to recruit more businesses with the county's $5 million purchase of 150 acres of land in White House off Interstate 65 at exit 108. It's the future site of the Union Springs Business Park.

"We're wanting that high-paying wage job. We want that manufacturing job," Fuqua said. "One thing we're working with the TVA on is just being patient, waiting to land that perfect client or clients on this property."

It's not just about big businesses.

"We have a lot of those small businesses that support the industry," said Gates.

Another part of the county's business diversity is its most historic: agriculture. Farms have been a big part of Robertson County's economy and help lead the state's agricultural production.

"They're in the top three in a lot of the products produced," said Gates, adding that agritourism has also grown in popularity.

They want to protect those farmlands as the county recruits new companies and helps current ones expand operations.

Fuqua said keeping businesses and people in Robertson County means better tax revenue to fund the community.

"We do need to grow. We do need industry," Fuqua said. "Over 60% of our workforce goes to Davidson County daily, so how wonderful would that be to capture those residents in our community and have high paying manufacturing jobs in our own county?"

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology is building a new campus in Springfield to help support Robertson County's workforce.

"Robertson County is a very special place. My husband and I moved there when our children were very young. My husband was a family practitioner, and he practiced medicine there for nearly 40 years," said Fosnes. "I hope it can continue to keep that unique rural agricultural heritage and importance at the same time as offering its citizens all the amenities of a big city. And I think it's possible, I definitely think it's possible."

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/on-tour-middle-tn/robertson-co-new-business-recruitment/