Members of the Tennessee State Building Commission last week approved a budget that more than doubles the amount for infrastructure improvements at the Megasite of West Tennessee.
State Building Commission members and the State Building Commission’s staff did not return The Tennessee Star’s requests for comment Monday.
Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) serves on the Building Commission, according to the Office of the State Architect’s website.
Doug Kufner spoke on Sexton’s behalf, via email.
“In the October special session, the General Assembly approved and appropriated an additional $138 million for infrastructure at the Megasite. In July the State Building Commission approved $50 million for utility construction, of which $15M was appropriated in FY 21-22 and the remainder from prior year appropriations,” Kufner wrote.
“These two appropriations in FY21-22 increased the project by $153 million and brought the total project budget to $274 million which is reflected in the SBC documents from the December meeting.”
Other State Building Commission members include Governor Bill Lee, Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge), Secretary of State Tre Hargett, State Comptroller Jason Mumpower, State Treasurer David Lillard, and State Commissioner of Finance and Administration Butch Eley.
The Daily Memphian reported Sunday that the State Building Commission approved the budget change last week — with no discussion. Officials with Ford Motor Company intend to manufacture battery-powered vehicles at the Megasite.
“We are in constant communication currently with the Ford Motor Co. about the development of the Megasite,” Megasite Authority CEO Clay Bright reportedly said.
“The construction of the water and wastewater systems are critical to their manufacturing of the Ford F-150 EV.”
Justin Owen, president of The Beacon Center of Tennessee, a Nashville-based free market think tank, previously called the Megasite “an empty field of broken promises.”
This, Owen said, despite “big talk by state officials” to bring thousands of jobs to a downtrodden area.
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Memphis Regional Megasite” by tn.gov.
