During a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, the Washington County Commission approved a rezoning request from BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) for its 55-acre property at 1367 Old State Route 34 in Jonesborough. 

The request facilitates the expansion of BWXT’s Jonesborough operations in support of a $1.5 billion federal contract for the processing of high-purity depleted uranium. The property was rezoned from A-1, General Agriculture; R-1, Low Density Residential; and A-3, Agriculture-Business to M-2, High Impact Use.

Because the Washington County Regional Planning Commission recommended denial of the request in January, a supermajority of 10 votes from the 15-member body was required for the measure to pass. The panel approved the rezoning on a 10-5 vote.

Based on the economic impact analysis prepared by the Washington County Economic Development Council (WCEDC), BWXT’s expansion represents a significant $714 million capital investment in the local community. This includes $116 million for real property (buildings and site improvements) and $598 million for personal property (machinery and equipment).

“The WCEDC supports this agenda item,” said Alicia Summers, executive director of the WCEDC. “We believe it is important that the potential economic impact of industrial projects be considered when making decisions that could influence future expansion opportunities. As the county’s recognized economic development organization, we have a responsibility to ensure elected officials are informed about the potential economic implications associated with projects of this scale.”

The project is projected to have a profound effect on the local workforce and broader economy through:

• Job creation: The expansion is expected to create more than 170 direct jobs. When accounting for indirect impacts (suppliers) and induced impacts (household spending), the project is estimated to support more than 600 jobs annually.
• Labor income: New direct employees are expected to earn an average hourly wage of $38, plus benefits. Across all direct, indirect and induced positions, the total annual labor income is estimated at $51 million.
• Economic output: The project is estimated to add $106 million annually to Washington County's Gross Domestic Product.
• Tax revenue: Once at full production levels, the facility is projected to generate $2.7 million in annual direct property tax revenue. Additionally, the county expects to collect approximately $586,000 annually in local sales tax revenue resulting from the project’s economic activity.

Also on Monday, Patrick Flood, senior advisor with the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation, told commissioners that BWXT “has a good record of environmental compliance” with its Jonesborough operations. He also referenced a TDEC webpage, which provides answers to frequently asked questions about BWXT’s project: https://www.tn.gov/environment/oea/citizen/bwxt-faq.html.

The next regular meeting of the Washington County Commission is scheduled for Monday, April 27, at 6 p.m. in Courtroom 7 of the George P. Jaynes Justice Center, located at 108 W. Jackson Blvd. in Jonesborough. 

The meetings are streamed on the county’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@WashingtonCountyTNGovernment.

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