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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

View of housing near nuclear power plant

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 photo

Charly Lyons
President & CEO
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Mr. 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. Mr. Lyons' 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, Mr. Lyons served five years as National Recruitment & Business Development Consultant with the State of TN/ECD Dept.

 Dan Tidcomb photo

Dan Tidcomb
Project Manager
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Mr. Tidcomb joined the TCEA team on March 1, 2018 as the Project Manager. A resident of Middle Tennessee for over two decades, he comes to TCEA with over a decade of business management and communications experience. Dan earned his B.S. from MTSU and recently completed Leadership for Managers at Dale Carnegie Training, TVA's Rural Leadership program, and TBEDC. He is a member of Project Management Institute, Rotary, and officiates scholastic sports on weekends. 

 Kelsey Dansby photo

Kelsey Dansby
Executive Administrator
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Mrs. Dansby joined the TCEA team on August 5, 2016. She comes to TCEA with an extensive background in Management, Sales, Accounting, and Finance. Strong administrative professional with an associate's degree focused in Business Administration and Management. She serves on the Hartsville/Trousdale Chamber of Commerce Board, the Trousdale County Fair Board and a Rotary member. 

Charly Lyons photo
Charly Lyons
President & CEO
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Mr. 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. Mr. Lyons' 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, Mr. Lyons served five years as National Recruitment & Business Development Consultant with the State of TN/ECD Dept.


Dan Tidcomb photo
Dan Tidcomb
Project Manager
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Mr. Tidcomb joined the TCEA team on March 1, 2018 as the Project Manager. A resident of Middle Tennessee for over two decades, he comes to TCEA with over a decade of business management and communications experience. Dan earned his B.S. from MTSU and recently completed Leadership for Managers at Dale Carnegie Training, TVA's Rural Leadership program, and TBEDC. He is a member of Project Management Institute, Rotary, and officiates scholastic sports on weekends. 


Kelsey Dansby photo
Kelsey Dansby
Executive Administrator
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Mrs. Dansby joined the TCEA team on August 5, 2016. She comes to TCEA with an extensive background in Management, Sales, Accounting, and Finance. Strong administrative professional with an associate's degree focused in Business Administration and Management. She serves on the Hartsville/Trousdale Chamber of Commerce Board, the Trousdale County Fair Board and a Rotary member. 


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

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News

Join Our Team!! - Tennessee Central Economic Authority is seeking a task oriented professional to serve as our Project Manager

Mar 27 2023
The Tennessee Central Economic Authority is seeking a task oriented professional to serve as our Project Manager and to assist the President/CEO.  TCEA is in...

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Macon County Schools Career & Technical Education, in partnership with the Macon County Chamber of Commerce, will be hosting second annual Hiring Event

Mar 27 2023
Macon County Schools Career & Technical Education, in partnership with the Macon County Chamber of Commerce, will be hosting our second annual Hiring Event on May 10 from 1:00p - ...

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TCEA Mourns the Loss of a Friend and Colleague Dan Tidcomb

Mar 10 2023
With heavy hearts we are saddened to convey that our friend and colleague Dan Tidcomb passed away on March 7, 2023. We received this information from his family and are extremely devastated....

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