Loudon County Economic Development Agency

What Loudon County Economic Development Agency does

Loudon County Economic Development Agency (LCEDA) is a public-sector economic development body formed in 1985 as a joint venture between Loudon County, the City of Lenoir City, and the City of Loudon in Tennessee. Operating from 7698 Creekwood Park Boulevard in Lenoir City with a two-person staff (Executive Director Jack Qualls and Administrative Liaison Blair Patterson Sitzlar), LCEDA delivers free business recruitment, retention, and expansion services to companies considering or expanding operations in the county, plus community-development programs covering downtown redevelopment, construction management, grant writing, permitting assistance, and workforce initiatives. Its primary customers are advanced manufacturing enterprises and business investors/developers; named tenants and recruitment wins span Kimberly-Clark, American Honda, Malibu Boats, CVS, Monterey Mushrooms, Tate & Lyle, Dupont Tate & Lyle Bioproducts, Del Conca USA, Hubbell, Viskase, Morgan Olson, Tennessee Packaging, and Christensen Yachts.

The agency's core technology is a Geographical Information Systems (GIS) platform used for location analysis, demographic mapping, and site selection across eight industrial and business parks in its inventory: Centre 75, Blair Bend, Fort Loudoun, Highlands, Huntington, Matlock Bend, Sugarlimb, and Tellico Regional. Distribution to prospective tenants combines direct enterprise field-sales consultation with a self-serve online property search tool, supported by content marketing, organic social (Facebook, Twitter), and industry-event outreach (Manufacturing Week, Industry Showcase, Job Fairs, Pipeline Connect). The revenue model is managed-services-equivalent: LCEDA does not sell services commercially; its operating budget is funded through public appropriations from the three joint-venture municipal entities, supplemented by access to State of Tennessee FastTrack grants (Infrastructure, Job Training, Economic Development Fund), Tennessee Valley Authority valley incentives, and PILOT property-tax abatement programs.

Strategically, LCEDA monetizes its jurisdictional exclusivity and asset base — I-75 interstate access, Tennessee River barge terminals, Norfolk Southern rail service, pad-ready sites with 3-phase 4 MW power, and proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and University of Tennessee — to compete for capital investment against other Southeast jurisdictions. The 418,120-population Knoxville MSA laborshed, 45,000 high-technology professionals, and 50,000 higher-education students constitute the talent supply it markets, while property tax rates of $1.5138 (county), $1.3388 (Lenoir City), and $1.0933 (City of Loudon) per $100 assessed value position the county among the lowest-cost manufacturing jurisdictions in Tennessee.

Name

Loudon County Economic Development Agency

Legal name

Loudon County Economic Development Agency

Website

https://loudoncountyeda.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Loudon County Economic Development Agency is a public joint-venture agency funded by Loudon County, Lenoir City, and the City of Loudon, Tennessee. It provides free business recruitment, retention, expansion, and workforce development services to manufacturing companies and investors seeking to locate or grow in Loudon County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of General Economic Programs (92611), Administration of Economic Programs (926)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Workforce Development Programs (WIOA/One-Stop Career Centers) (EDAAAOAA), Public Works & Municipal Infrastructure (Streets, Stormwater, Facilities) (BPAIACAF)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Business recruitment services
• Site selection assistance
• Workforce development programs
• Industrial park management

Headquarters

HQ city

Lenoir City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: The agency is funded as a joint venture between Loudon County, the City of Lenoir City, and the City of Loudon. It provides free services to businesses; revenue comes from public funding.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Loudon County Economic Development Agency provides free economic development services including business recruitment, retention, and expansion support; site location analysis using GIS; permitting and construction management assistance; grant writing and administration; downtown redevelopment; and workforce development programs. It markets eight industrial and business parks across the county and connects businesses to state incentive programs such as Tennessee FastTrack grants, TVA economic incentives, and PILOT property tax abatements.

Product overview

The Loudon County Economic Development Agency (LCEDA) provides a comprehensive suite of economic development services focused on business recruitment, retention, and community growth. The agency operates as a joint venture between Loudon County, the City of Lenoir City, and the City of Loudon, offering services including business recruitment and expansion assistance, permitting support, grant writing, construction management, downtown redevelopment, and workforce initiatives. LCEDA manages multiple industrial and business parks (Centre 75, Blair Bend, Fort Loudoun, Highlands, Huntington, Matlock Bend, Sugarlimb, and Tellico Regional), administers state incentive programs (FastTrack Infrastructure, Job Training, and Economic Development Fund), and runs workforce development programs including Manufacturing Week, Industry Showcase, Pipeline Connect, Job Fairs, Educators in the Workplace, and Local Industry Roundtables. The agency also connects businesses with Tennessee Valley Authority incentives and provides site selection assistance using Geographical Information Systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Recruitment, Retention, and Expansion Services Core economic development service focused on attracting new businesses to Loudon County while retaining and expanding existing local industries; provided free to businesses.
• Location Analysis and Design Assistance Provides site location analysis and design assistance for companies looking to establish or relocate operations in Loudon County.
• Permitting Assistance Assists businesses with navigating the permitting process for construction and operations within Loudon County.
• Construction Management Oversees and manages construction projects related to economic development initiatives in the county.
• Grant Writing and Administration Prepares and administers grant applications and funding for community and economic development projects.
• Downtown Redevelopment Revitalization programs for downtown areas to promote economic growth and community development.
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS) Mapping and spatial analysis services for site selection and economic planning purposes.
• Workforce Initiatives Programs designed to develop and connect the local workforce with business needs, including training and job placement services.
• Young Talent / Young Professionals Opportunities Economic and community development initiatives aimed at attracting, engaging, and retaining young professionals (ages 21-40) in Loudon County.
• Manufacturing Week Annual week-long event during National Manufacturing Day featuring industry tours and education for local students to raise awareness of manufacturing career opportunities.
• Industry Showcase Annual event hosted during National Manufacturing Week where local students receive bus transportation to learn about career opportunities; portion open to public to showcase local manufacturing.
• Pipeline Connect Student Business and Industry Interview Expo connecting local businesses with high school juniors and seniors for internships and full-time employment opportunities.
• Local Industry Roundtable Regular networking luncheon for industry leaders to connect, discuss challenges, and help determine future EDA initiatives and programs.
• Educators in the Workplace Program allowing teachers from Loudon County and Lenoir City School Systems to tour local industries to better understand career opportunities and implement learnings in classrooms.
• Job Fairs Regular job fairs hosted for local industries to seek employees, with EDA assistance in hosting hiring events including marketing and target demographics support.
• Centre 75 Business Park Region's premier 284-acre mixed-use business park with underground utilities, lighted boulevard, landscaping, and regional detention pond; located at I-75 @ Highway 72, Loudon.
• Blair Bend Industrial Park Industrial park along Tennessee River at U.S. Highway 11 in Loudon, home to Viskase, Tate & Lyle, and Dupont Tate & Lyle Bioproducts; includes privately-owned rail terminal.
• Fort Loudoun Industrial Park Industrial park along Tennessee River in Lenoir City featuring Fort Loudoun Terminal with barge and rail services; home to Hubbell Lenoir City.
• Highlands Business Park Privately-owned 363-acre park adjacent to Interstate 75 at Highway 72 with underground utilities and regional detention pond; home to Tennessee Packaging.
• Huntington Business Park Privately-owned 200-acre park on Highway 72 within one mile of I-75 with underground utilities; home to CVS distribution facility.
• Matlock Bend Industrial Park Privately-owned park on Highway 72 within 0.5 miles of I-75; home to American Honda and Monterey Mushrooms.
• Sugarlimb Industrial Park Publicly-owned park on Highway 11 along Tennessee River home to Malibu Boats, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, and Del Conca USA; includes Norfolk Southern main rail line.
• Tellico Regional Business Park Publicly-owned park along Tellico Lake off U.S. Highway 411 managed by Tellico Reservoir Development Agency; excellent for marine manufacturing; home to Christensen Yachts 400,000 sq ft facility.
• FastTrack Infrastructure Program State of Tennessee program providing grants to local communities for public infrastructure improvements including rail, roadway, port, airport, site, water, sewer, gas, and telecommunication.
• FastTrack Job Training Assistance Program Grant program assisting new or expanding companies with funding to support training of net new full-time employees.
• FastTrack Economic Development Fund Additional grant support for companies expanding or locating in Tennessee with reimbursable grants made to local industrial development boards for equipment relocation, office space, capital improvements, and retrofitting.

Quantifiable outcome

• 86.9% high school graduation rate with 57.5% college-going rate
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• County of LoudoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner providing core funding and governance for the economic development agency. County government partnership is foundational to EDA operations.
• City of Lenoir CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner providing core funding and governance. City government partnership is foundational to EDA operations.
• City of LoudoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner providing core funding and governance. City government partnership is foundational to EDA operations.
• Loudon County Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner for business community engagement and economic development initiatives. Chamber provides networking and business support services.
• East Tennessee Economic Development Agency (ETEDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development agency covering multiple counties in East Tennessee. Provides laborshed data, regional coordination, and workforce development support.
• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing valley incentive programs for economic development. TVA offers competitive incentives considering economic and power system metrics to benefit companies locating in the Valley region.
• State of Tennessee ECDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState economic development agency providing FastTrack infrastructure grants, job training assistance, economic development funds, and tax credits for qualifying companies.
• Committee of 100secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal business organization representing economic development interests in Lenoir City area.
• Knoxville Entrepreneurs CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner supporting entrepreneurship and business development in the Knoxville area.
• Tennessee Economic PartnershipsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level economic development partnership supporting business recruitment and expansion initiatives.
• Loudon Utilities BoardcoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides utilities including electric 3-phase 4 MW, water, sewer, and gas services to business parks including Centre 75 and Sugarlimb Industrial Park.
• Lenoir City Utilities Board (LCUB)coreTechnology or IntegrationProvides utilities to Fort Loudoun Industrial Park and operates LCUB Data Center for advanced data/network services.
• Norfolk Southern RailwaycoreTechnology or IntegrationRail services available through Blair Bend Industrial Park and Sugarlimb Industrial Park main rail line for freight transportation.
• Fort Loudoun Electric CooperativesecondaryTechnology or IntegrationProvides electric and natural gas utilities to Tellico Regional Business Park.
• Tellico Area Service SystemsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationProvides water and wastewater utilities to Tellico Regional Business Park.
• Tellico Reservoir Development AgencysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages properties at Tellico Regional Business Park along Tellico Lake for marine manufacturing and equipment suppliers.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sevier County Economic Development Council: County-level EDA in East Tennessee with similar staff profile, public funding model, and mixed tourism/manufacturing economy. Comparable scope and recruitment approach.
• Knoxville Chamber (Knoxville Economic Development): The Knoxville Chamber operates the primary economic development function for Knox County within the same Knoxville MSA. Direct comparable as a county/regional EDA competing for overlapping manufacturing and corporate investment projects in East Tennessee.
• Blount County Economic Development Board: Neighboring county-level EDA in East Tennessee pursuing the same advanced-manufacturing and logistics tenants. Highly comparable service offering, county-level jurisdiction, and target industries.
• Anderson County Economic Development Association: County-level EDA adjacent to Knox County with overlapping labor shed and similar recruitment of advanced manufacturing, given Oak Ridge National Laboratory adjacency. Directly comparable structure and customer base.
• Oak Ridge Industrial Development Board: Municipal IDB for Oak Ridge, Tennessee, focused on recruiting technology and advanced-industry tenants tied to Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Comparable scope, scale, and funding model.
• Roane County Industrial Development Board: County-level industrial development organization neighboring Loudon County, pursuing similar manufacturing tenants with comparable TVA and state incentive programs. Directly comparable mandate and customer profile.
• East Tennessee Economic Development Agency (ETEDA): Multi-county regional EDA covering the same East Tennessee labor shed. Provides laborshed data and regional coordination that complements Loudon County's offerings; comparable mission and customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Economic Development: Federal regional development authority offering site recruitment and incentive programs across the seven-state Tennessee Valley region, including Loudon County. Operates as a broader incumbent with overlapping capability.
• Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development: State-level economic development agency that operates the FastTrack grant programs and statewide recruitment effort that LCEDA accesses. Provides overlapping capability at higher jurisdictional level.
• Tennessee Economic Partnership: State-level public-private partnership supporting business recruitment across Tennessee, partnering with county EDAs like LCEDA. Broader geographic and capability scope makes it an incumbent peer rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/loudoncountyeda
• Facebookfacebook.com/loudoncountyeda
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/loudon-county-economic-development-agency-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Loudon County Economic Development Agency