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Mission and Vision

The Tennessee Central Economic Authority is a regional economic development organization committed to excellence in the manufacturing industry. Our mission is to recruit, retain, and expand advanced manufacturing job opportunities for the five county region we serve in Middle Tennessee.

We achieve this through Retention and Expansion Expansion programs, Workforce Development, Marketing, Strategic Planning, and Site Development investments.

Our vision is to continually pursue the next level of enrichment for the people and communities in the Tennessee Central region.

The five growing counties of Macon, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale/Hartsville Metro, and Wilson, near Nashville, Tennessee are members of our Economic Development Office, and detailed demographic data for them can be found in the interactive portal below:

History

Tennessee Central Economic Authority was previously known as Four Lake Regional Industrial Development Authority.

Historically, TCEA is unique.

In 1974 the Tennessee Valley Authority announced construction of the world's largest nuclear power plant at Hartsville, Tennessee.
In 1975 the impacted counties--Trousdale (Hartsville) and the four contiguous counties (Macon, Smith, Sumner and Wilson) formed the Hartsville Project Coordinating Committee to work together with TVA to mitigate impacts as the project was developed.
In 1977 construction employment reached a high of 7,000 at the Trousdale County site.
In 1982 after progressive cutbacks, construction was halted with employment virtually eliminated, resulting in significant economic dislocations in the regional economy.
In 1983 a Farmer Home Administration sponsored analysis, "The Hartsville Project Impact Study" was released calling for the establishment of an industrial development authority to specifically focus on the work of attracting jobs to the area.

Legislation creating the Four Lake Regional Industrial Development Authority was passed by public act of the State Legislature on April 15, 1986. In addition, By-Laws were executed on May 15, 1986.

The enabling legislation states that the Authority was "created and established for the purpose of developing the resources of the region embracing the counties of Macon, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale and Wilson .... " More specifically, the Authority "is directed to focus its activity toward economic development and improving employment opportunities in the region ...."

In 1988 the Authority contracted staff and initiated a work program.

After years of contact and pleas with the then 3-member TVA Board of Directors, approximately 554 acres of the mothballed TVA nuclear site were sold to the Four Lake Authority in June 2002 for regional economic development purposes. The property was purchased for the appraised value of $1.7 million with the stipulation that the Four Lake Authority make a minimum of $1.5 million in infrastructure improvements during the first five years of ownership. These initial infrastructure improvements (water, sewer, and natural gas lines), as well as a 750,000 gallon water storage tank, were completed in 2005.

IN ADDITION TO OWNING AND DEVELOPING AN INDUSTRIAL PARK, WHAT DOES TCEA DO?

Tennessee Central Economic Authority facilitates and networks projects for industrial business relocations, expansions, site selection or entrepreneurial startups. A company searching our five county region (Macon, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale & Wilson County) can have a unique and significant partnership to understand and acquire resources available for your company.

We work with the State of Tennessee and the Tennessee Valley Authority for incentives and network you with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology, as well as other workforce organizations, for specialized training and job placements.

TCEA's Industrial Development Programs & Services Help

New & Existing Manufacturers Create Jobs
Existing Manufacturers Expand
Entrepreneurs Start & Grow Businesses
Companies Find Sites & Workforce Talent Resources
Market Investment/Development Opportunities
Market the TN Central Service Region
Improve Our Region's Quality of Life
Connect Businesses with Opportunities
Coordinate Local & State Incentive Packages
Coordinate Workforce Talent Training for Retention & Growth
Share Funding & Grant Opportunities

Staff

Charly Lyons
President & CEO
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Charly Lyons joined the TCEA team on January 1, 2013. He has been acquainted with TCEA for many years while serving the region in various economic development roles. He received his B.S. of Business Administration from David Lipscomb University and graduated from the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute. Charlys' economic development experience began with two and one-half years as Asst. Mayor in Hendersonville's ECD Dept, followed by three years as VP of Forward Sumner Economic Council. Lastly, Charly served five years as National Recruitment & Business Development Consultant with the State of TN/ECD Dept.

Kelsey Givens
Development Coordinator
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Kelsey Givens joined the TCEA team on August 5, 2016. Kelsey is certified through the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services as a Tennessee Certified Economic Developer. She also has an extensive background in Management, Sales, Accounting, and Finance. Kelsey holds an associate's degree focused in Business Administration and Management. Kelsey has served on the Hartsville/Trousdale Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is a Hartsville/Trousdale County Rotary member.

Amanda Sexton
Project Manager
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Amanda Sexton joined the TCEA team on June 1, 2023 as the project manager. She has recently been working in Texas with Mayekawa USA as a IOM/ISO Coordinator. As a life long resident and Trousdale County graduate, Amanda brings 15 years of experience in customer service and leadership within State government operations. She recieved her B.S. in Marketing from Western Kentucky University and her M.S. in Public Service Management from Cumberland University.

Charly Lyons photo
Charly Lyons
President & CEO
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Kelsey Givens photo
Kelsey Givens
Development Coordinator
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Amanda Sexton photo
Amanda Sexton
Project Manager
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Rural Leadership Institute, TVA Economic Development logo Tennessee Certified Economic Developer logo

Contact Us

Tennessee Central Economic Authority
702 McMurry Blvd.
Hartsville, TN 37074

info@tennessseecentral.org

Phone: 615.374.4607

Annual Reports

Tennessee Central Economic Authority Annual Reports

Events

Sorry, there are no upcoming events at this time. Please check back later.

News

Public Notice-TCEA Quarterly Board Meeting Scheduled 4/25/25

Apr 11 2025
PUBLIC NOTICE Regular Meeting Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Central Economic Authority will hold its next regular meeting on Friday, April 25, 2025 at 10:00 A...

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Public Notice_TCEA Special Call Meeting Scheduled

Feb 6 2025
Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Central Economic Authority will hold a special called meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 8:00 A.M. at TCAT-HARTSVILLE, 716 E...

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TCEA Special Call Meeting Scheduled

Jan 29 2025
Tennessee Central Economic Authority will hold a special call board meeting on February 5, 2025, at TCAT-Hartsville 716 E McMurry Blvd Hartsville, TN 37074 at 10:00 am.

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