Reprinted by permission



The former Hartsville Nuclear Plant site could become the location of a privately owned minimum security prison. Corrections Corporation of America, a Nashville-based company which builds and operates prisons throughout the nation, is looking to expand by adding on to its existing facilities and building at least one new prison. The company is current studying the feasibility of locating a new prison in the Four Lake Regional Industrial ... ......Development Authority's PowerCom Industrial Center. Four Lake Authority officials have submitted information requested by Corrections Corporation as part of their feasibility study. County Mayor Michael Nesbitt said he was made aware the correctional company might be interested in locating a new minimum security prison at the former nuclear plant site about a week ago by Trousdale County Mayor Jerry Clift. The new correctional facility would reportedly employ between 300 and 400 people with starting salaries around $20,000 to $25,000. “We'll listen to the concerns of the citizens just like we did with L.E.S. (a company which tried to sway leaders and residents into locating a uranium enrichment plant at the former nuclear plant site),” commented Nesbitt, while admitting employment opportunities provided by such a facility were attractive. This is the third time prospects of a prison being constructed at the nuclear plant site have surfaced. After L.E.S. pulled its proposal and opted for a site in New Mexico in 2003, the Four Lake Authority lobbied with the state to locate a minimum security state prison at the site. With unemployment at 10 percent in Trousdale County, residents in that county supported the idea. In the past, residents in Dixon Springs and Riddleton communities have not looked favorably at the location of a new prison so close to their neighborhood. But with the closing of Pasminco Zinc and Arvin/Meritor, resulting in the loss of more than 500 jobs in Smith County during the summer of 2003, some residents warmed to the idea. Since the closing of the zinc mine and Arvin/Meritor, Shiroki North American has announced plans to locate in the Arvin/ Meritor building and Canadian investors are looking to reopen the zinc mine which has the county's employment picture looking much brighter. Instead of constructing a new prison in 2003, the state opted to renovate and add on to Brushy Mountain State Prison in east Tennessee. In the 1990's, the state looked at the site for a minimum security state prison but then-County Executive (title is now county mayor) Pat Furgeson withdrew the location from consideration because of complaints from Trousdale County residents. Based on media reports Trousdale County residents and leaders would likely support a minimum security prison. Jobs are one factor which has changed the minds of Trousdale County residents. Trousdale County's unemployment rate was at fi ve percent in December. The county would also reap most, if not all, of the tax benefi ts from such a facility. While the former nuclear plant site (TVA-owned land) straddles the Smith/Trousdale County line, practically all of the 550 acres in the industrial park is located in Trousdale County. The Four Lake Authority is made up of Smith, Trousdale, Sumner, Macon and Wilson counties. County mayors from each county form the executive committee which would be the deciding authority if Corrections Corporation decides the industrial park is where they want to build the new facility. Four Lake Authority began developing PowerCom Industrial Center in 2002. The governmental agency purchased 550 acres of land from the Tennessee Valley Authority to construct an industrial park in hopes of attracting high tech companies. A $2 million speculative building is under construction in the park. Corrections Corporation is also studying sites in Mississippi, Florida and in western states as part of its search. While the company's time frame for selecting a location is not known, the company is aiming at opening a new facility in about two years. Nesbitt said he expected the issue to surface in March when the Four Lake Authority executive committee meets again.