Putnam County and Monterey leaders gathered Friday to reveal Project Wildcat, a new industrial park coming to Monterey.
ERP Holdings Partner Clint Stephens said the development will be called “The Summit Industrial Park” and will be constructed on a 27-acre property on Highway 70 just east of I-40 exit 301. Stephens said Project Wildcat is more than just an industrial park.
“It’s a vote of confidence in Monterey, Tennessee,” Stephens said. “It’s a signal to the rest of the state that we are open for business and ready for the future, and we look forward to seeing the first foundations poured, and even more, we look forward to seeing the first Monterey citizen walk into their new office or shop right here at home.”
Stephens said the industrial park will offer spaces ranging from 10,000 square feet to 40,000 square feet for any kind of green industrial companies. Monterey Mayor Alex Garcia said the industrial park will be really good for Monterey.
“I think this is one of the projects that is gonna keep us moving,” Garcia said. “You know, we are always looking for more projects in Monterey, and Joe (Business Partner Joe Stephens ) and I have talked about another project we won’t bring up, but I think this is a big step. I really do.”
Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said the county is excited to see the industrial park come to Monterey.
“Monterey, and I am not saying this in kind of a bad way, but kind of sit still for a little while,” Porter said. “And you know we went through some tough times with the tornadoes that hit back in 2020 and COVID, but now we are seeing the fire lit.”
Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce CEO Amy New said the industrial park will create so many opportunities not only for the employees and citizens that are here, but also for the region. New said the industrial park will be a new tool in the toolbox for economic recruitment and development.
Stephens said Monterey has been a great partner as the town installed water lines and is currently installing sewer lines to support the park. Stephens said the company will work with the Highlands Economic Partnership and the Chamber of Commerce to find businesses to fill the park.
“They have a lot of folks that they speak with on a regular basis who are looking for properties as the size of what we are wanting to build on it,” Stephens said. “And so we will vet those, we will have many conversations with them. We don’t have any timeline for reaching out and building those pieces yet.”
Stephens said the plan is to lease the spaces within the park, but is open to selling the buildings if the right fit comes along. Stephens said the initial building of the industrial park will be completed in the fall of 2028