On the agenda: Bristol meeting — data center (Aug 24)

THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF
THE CITY OF BRISTOL, TENESSEE
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
MONDAY AUGUST 24, 2026 – 12 PM

AGENDA:
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Public Comment on any matter of IDB business
4. Consent Agenda
a. Minutes – July 27, 2026 Regular Meeting
b. Financial Report – Month Ending July 31, 2026
5. USDA – Rural Development Programs Presentation – Director Allen
Hawk with Chance Lamb, Joe Daniels, and Matthew Smyth
6. UT-CIS Programs Update – Mark Sebby, Solutions Consultant
7. Updates by local partners:
• NETWORKS – Clay Walker
• BTES – April Eads
• BTCS – Dr. Sheila Morgan Osborn (introducing Kevin Worley)
8. Directors Discussion
9. Adjourn

CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes from July 27, 2026 Regular Meeting
Financial Report for Month Ending July 31, 2026

MINUTES OF THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD
OF THE CITY OF BRISTOL TENNESSEE
July 27, 2026

Board Members Present:
Logan McCabe – Vice Chairman
Jeff Jones – Secretary/Treasurer
Jason Booher – Vice Secretary/Treasurer
Lea Powers
Lynn Dougherty
Nancy Cook

Staff:
Tom Anderson – ED Director
Bretta Morenings – ED Specialist
Brian Ramsey – Interim City Manager
Hollie Verran – Finance Director
Ross Peters – Interim Community Development
Director

Others Present:
Derek Driskill – TNECD
Clay Walker – NETWORKS
April Eads – BTES
LoriAnne English – BTES
Bill Forrester – First Tennessee Development
District
Jesse Smith – Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Patrick Cashman - USAntibiotics

Call to order: Chairman Raj Venkataraman opened the July 27, 2026 Industrial
Development Board Regular Meeting at 12:01 p.m. roll call was performed, and a
quorum was declared present.
Public Comment: None.
Consent Agenda: The June 22, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes and Financial Report
for Month Ending June 30, 2026 – Vice Chairman McCabe asked if there were any
additions or deletions to the minutes or financial report. Hearing none, a motion to
approve was made by Mr. Dougherty and seconded by Mr. Jones. The vote was four in
favor with Mr. Booher abstaining.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) – Presentation by Jesse Smith, Manager
of Industrial Partnerships and Economic Development: Mr. Smith reviewed the
history of ORNL including its ties to the Manhattan Project, as well as modern-day
research initiatives that include the world’s most powerful microscope. He noted that
ORNL is the largest and most diverse DOE materials science lab in the nation that
Industrial Development Board Meeting Minutes
July 27, 2026

Page 1 of 3

houses one of the fastest open-source super computers in the world.
Discussion ensued regarding the grid. Mr. Smith stated that ORNL has a dedicated
facility focused on the grid, including microgrids, and sited an example of microgrids in
action during a hurricane in Puerto Rico. He noted the rural community did not lose
power during the storm event because the microgrid can operate independently of the
main grid when it is not functioning. Quantum computing, security and IP were also
discussed. Mr. Smith said that fusion is challenging, stating short-run experiments are
successful with no long-range success to date, highlighting ORNL has dedicated fusion
facilities. Mr. Smith discussed IP and briefly reviewed ORNL’s policy on inventions/joint
discoveries, etc., noting DOE is adamant about sharing technology and charges minimal
fees/royalties when required.
Mr. Smith stated that most of ORNL’s labs are occupied by universities, but it is possible
to fast-track industry partners. He encouraged the Board to send industries in need of
assistance to Oak Ridge, and said organizations can submit a proposal, and, if accepted,
could use technology at ORNL at no cost.
Updates by local partners:
Mr. Driskill (State of TN) – Noted that leads are slow at the state but expected to
increase as summer winds down. GovCon is October 1-2 in Chattanooga.
Mr. Walker (NETWORKS) – Discussed an expansion project and anticipates an
announcement soon. NETWORKS is submitting a letter of intent to participate in the
state’s Property Evaluation Program (PEP). He noted staff reapplied for due diligence
grants for PPII as they were not awarded funding due to three open partner site grants
currently underway. Red Carpet Tour is October 14-16.
Mrs. Eads (BTES) – Discussed existing industry activity. She noted that grading in
Bristol Industrial Park is scheduled for completion in August and that BTES received a
notice to proceed with the site preparation process from TVA for the Bristol South site.
Mr. Forrester (FTDD) – Discussed the history of FTDD and working with the Bristol ED
team on projects (wastewater treatment plant, HOME Consortium, etc.).
Director’s Discussion:
Mrs. Powers – Noted the Bristol ED team is in constant contact with industry partners
and discussed job vacancies and the need for all types of housing products across the
city.
Mr. Booher – Discussed changes in data center technology, misconceptions, and recent
discussions about data centers during Planning Commission (PC) meetings. He noted
PC is working on updates to the Zoning Ordinance to protect Bristol from negative
repercussions of data centers.
Ms.

Morenings

–

Discussed

the

Industrial Development Board Meeting Minutes
July 27, 2026

upcoming

Proof

Programs

food

and

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beverage/consumer packaged goods community stakeholder session (11:00 a.m. on
August 25 at The Listening Room located inside the historic L.C. King building) and
encouraged IDB members to attend. She noted this opportunity was awarded through
a partnership with the State (TNECD) and TN Main Street, highlighting that Bristol was
one of ten communities across the state to be selected for a food and beverage industry
assessment from Chattanooga based Proof Programs.
Adjournment: There being no further business Vice Chairman McCabe adjourned the
meeting at 1:14 p.m.

Approved:
_________________________

Raj Venkataraman, Chairman

Attest:
_______________________________

Jeff Jones, Secretary/Treasurer
Attachments:
1. Agenda

Industrial Development Board Meeting Minutes
July 27, 2026

Page 3 of 3

Industrial Development Board of the City of Bristol, Tennessee
July 31, 2026

Check Register
Beginning Balance 07/01/26

$

63,938.06

Deposits

Total Deposits

-

Disbursements
Check 1505: Bristol TN City Schools: 1/3 of AP exams on 06/19/26
Check 1506: American Express - Lunch from 620 State LLC for 06/22/26 IDB meeting

8,000.00
261.00

Total Disbursements

Ending Balance 07/31/26

8,261.00

$

55,677.06

Investment Amount
Interest Earned

$

101,969.57
11,578.10

Ending Balance 07/31/26

$

113,547.67

Industrial Development Board of the City of Bristol, Tennessee
Money Market

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Bristol Industrial Development Board of the City of Bristol, Tennessee
For the Period Ending July 31, 2026
Check Register
Beginning Balance 07/01/26

$

63,938.06

Deposits

Total Deposits
Disbursements
Prior Year Activity
Check 1505: Bristol TN City Schools: 1/3 of AP exams on 06/19/26
Check 1506: American Express - Lunch from 620 State LLC for 06/22/26 IDB meeting

-

8,000.00
261.00
8,261.00

Cash Transfer between Accounts
92347100 - Administration

Total Disbursements - 92347100

-

Total Disbursements - 92347220

-

Total Disbursements - 92347230

-

92347220 - Industrial Development

92347230 - Chapter 420 Project

Total Disbursements
Ending Balance 07/31/26

8,261.00
$

55,677.06

$

101,969.57
11,578.10

$

113,547.67

Industrial Development Board of the City of Bristol, Tennessee
Money Market
Investment Amount
Interest Earned to Date
Ending Balance 07/31/26

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