Site near 385 in C’ville promoted for industry
135 acres part of old nursery
A site near Tenn. 385 in Collierville is being promoted as a future home for light industry.
The 135-acre site is near Sycamore Road and the existing locations of IPS Corp. and FedEx Tech Connect, the company’s computer repair center. Nonconnah Creek flows through the property.
If approved, developer Kevin Vaughan, who represents the landowners, would work with the town to bring sewer and water lines into the area and to improve road access, including an extension of Commerce Drive south across the property.
The area was once part of the Cartwright family’s plant nursery business, and Vaughan said developers would cut down trees farmed at the site. “We’ll go in there and clean it out, and we’ll have great visibility from 385.”
The site would be a good fit for a low-impact manufacturing company — a company that needs combined showroom or warehouse space — or a company with security needs, such as those that specialize in drugs or electronics, said John Duncan, Collierville’s economic development director.
Duncan said the site’s strong points include its proximity to major roads, which would allow companies to communicate with regional resources such as the airport and a nearby intermodal rail facility.
“It’s critically important,” Duncan said. “It’s a great piece of land that we’ve already started to market ourselves a nd through the state PEP program.”
Duncan was referring to the Select Tennessee Property Evaluation Program, which helps match companies looking to invest with appropriate land around the state.
As the town seeks to recruit industrial development, it’s important to have “pad ready” sites, said town Planner Jaime Groce.
The town’s Planning Commission on Thursday voted to approve the rezoning request. The measure now goes to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen for approval.
The first of three readings could take place at the Feb. 22 board meeting. Any development at the site would similarly have to go through various approval steps.