The Sweetwater Economic Development Board continues its work of trying to entice new businesses to locate to the city all the while continuing the dream of making Sweetwater "greener" through the use of biodiesel fuel.

Tamra Chaney, head of the Economic Development Board, gave a brief presentation on the board's work to the Mayor and Board of Commissioners during their regular monthly meeting Monday night.
Chaney said the Economic Board has worked with city leaders to complete and economic development assessment for the city.

The assessment not only gives the Economic Development Board and city leaders an overall view of the strengths and weakness of the city when it comes to attracting businesses, it also used as a tool to attract businesses and even new residents.
The assessment is posted on the city's Web site and can be viewed at www.sweetwatertn.net/ec_dev_assess.pdf.

Chaney said the Economic Development Board is excited about the potential of using biodiesel fuel in city vehicles.
For months, Economic Development Board members have studied cities like Hoover, Ala, which recycle cooking oil into fuel to run city vehicles, thus saving on fuel costs and keeping the oil out of the city sewer system.

There would also be the benefit of staying ahead of expected federal green energy mandates coming down the pike for cities.
"It's going to get us all kinds of tax credits," Chaney said, if the biodiesel program can be started.
The biggest issue is the startup cost for the city and the Economic Development Board hopes to find grants to offset that cost.

The Economic Development Board is proposing to set up 300-gallon recycling containers donated by Vestal at Fire Hall No. 2 on Billy R. Ridenour Highway (Highway 322 connector) to collect cooking oil during the Thanksgiving holiday as a test of how much oil could be collected in the city.
"I feel very strongly we will have no problem getting all the cooking oil we need," Chaney said.
The City Commission said it would check with the city's insurance carrier to make sure having the recycling containers there would not cause any liability problems.

Chaney said the Interstate 75 Committee, an arm of the Economic Development Board, has been formed and is working on promoting the city through publicizing and improving the visitors center at the Magnuson Motel.
In other business, the City Commission unanimously passed the second and final ordinance reading adopting the flood map ordinance for the new Federal Emergency Management Agency's new flood map for the city.

tommy.millsaps@advocateanddemcrat.com | 337-7101