If the Sweetwater Economic Development Board hopes to sell the Sweetwater City Commission on the benefits of biodiesel, board members need to first show commissioners they are working to bring businesses to town and improve the economic climate for existing businesses.

That's the message Mayor Doyle Lowe gave Economic Development Board members when they met for their monthly meeting on Wednesday.
"Biodiesel is not high on their list," Lowe said of the city commission.
For months the Economic Development Board has been studying how some cities convert used cooking oil from restaurants and residents into an additive to mix with diesel to run their city vehicles.

The Economic Board has already talked to the City Commission about the biodisel process and plans a major presentation to the commission on the proposal soon.
Lowe said some city commissioners seem open to the idea of biodiesel, however others are not.
City Recorder Jessica Morgan said commissioners still have questions about how the process would work. There is the matter of what the startup cost would be for the city and whether grants could be obtained to help pay for that.

Lowe said he is sold on the idea, however he believes the key is getting Sweetwater Utilities Board General Manager Robert Bettis on board to convince city commissioners to go along with the idea. In addition to fuel cost savings, cities that use biodiesel made from used cooking oil point to the benefit of getting grease out of sewer systems.

Lowe encouraged the Economic Board to appear before the City Commission in January instead of December when its members can better answer the questions commissioners might have on biodiesel. The mayor said it is just a few more months before city officials will begin working on the 2010-2011 budget.

Lowe said the Economic Board can get ready to apply for grant funds during the next grant cycle and equipment for biodiesel can at least be put in the upcoming budget as a proposal.
Morgan said at least some commissioners believe the Economic Board is always asking for things instead of presenting ideas to promote the city and foster growth.

Economic Board Chairwoman Tamra Chaney said that's exactly what the proposal about biodiesel is, something for the City Commission to study to see if it would benefit the town.
She said the questions the commissioners have about biodiesel have been answered by cities, such as East Ridge, which she said plans to start a biodiesel program, and Hoover, Ala., which already has the program and was studied firsthand by Economic Development Board members during a tour three months ago.

But aside from biodiesel, there might be signs that some of the Economic Development Board's work is paying off.
Lowe reported there is a good chance a new Goody's clothing store could come back to Sweetwater based on recent conversations with the company.
The Economic Development Board's Interstate 75 Committee reported contact with an Ohio company, which could be looking to bring 25 jobs to Sweetwater.

The Interstate 75 Committee reported it continues to work on promoting the Visitors Center at the Magnuson motel along with developing signage that will bring travelers to the old downtown.
Lowe said there is some interest from potential buyers for the vacant Cracker Barrel building along I-75.

Shan Harris, an economic development specialist for Tennessee Economic and Community Development, was present at Wednesday meeting and told board members and guests that Sweetwater already has many tools to work with when it comes to attracting visitors and growth.
The Sweetwater Economic Development Board meets at noon on the third Wednesday of the month at City Hall.

The board's Interstate 75 Committee meets at noon on the second Wednesday of the month.

tommy.millsaps@advocateanddemocrat.com | 337-7101