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By: MIKE PIRTLE, Post Publisher
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Posted: Sunday, November 1, 2009 6:07 pm
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Ronnie Barrett, owner of Barrett Firearms, stands in the lobby of his new facility.
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Refusal to extend a stubbed-off road 550 feet may cost Rutherford County a sizeable manufacturing company and incalculable national and international marketing dividends.
Ronnie Barrett, owner of Barrett Firearms, manufacturer of the iconic Barrett Light .50-caliber rifle, fears inability to build an access road to his new $4.5 million manufacturing facility just off the Buchanan exit of Interstate 24 will force him to move the business to another state.
A Murfreesboro native, Barrett is frustrated by the thought of moving elsewhere, largely because he believes he had an agreement with Tennessee Department of Transportation for easement of some 550 feet of right of way along the interstate to construct, at his cost, the road to the new manufacturing facility.
He points to a Feb. 27, 2005 letter from TDOT Chief Engineer Paul Degges, following a meeting with Barrett, neighboring landowner C.C. Elliot and state officials on the request for the road extension, that states, “When formal plans are available, we will allow the relocation of the fence to a point to be determined by this department.”
Barrett and Bud and Brenda Elliot interpreted that to mean the department would allow the 550-foot extension of Miller Lane agreed upon at the earlier meeting.
The initial proposal would have nearly doubled the length of Miller Lane that runs alongside I-24 and follow what appears an intended path of the original road.
Ultimately, Degges and TDOT agreed to allow easement on only a 372-foot area inside the fence along the interstate, citing in earlier reports concerns about storm drainage and flooding.
TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely refuted any agreement Friday in a statement:
“Normally, I do not comment on matters in litigation, but after seeing recent news reports concerning the Barrett Firearms situation, I feel compelled to respond.
“First, I can state unequivocally that TDOT never committed to building an access road for Barrett Firearms on Interstate 24 Right of Way. The Federal Highway Administration, which would have to approve any such incursion on the ROW, has consistently agreed with our position.
“Barrett Firearms was offered two alternative access road alignments, which would have moved the project forward. They rejected both and chose to file a lawsuit. The Office of State Attorney General is defending TDOT in this lawsuit and I am confident of our position.
“I will have no further comment on this matter.”
Barrett said Degges has proposed moving the road onto his property, but notes that is impossible because of a water retention pond required by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
Degges also suggested a road at the back of the property, Barrett said, but explained that would involve land owned by three other property owners.
As matters now stand, Barrett’s new building has limited use due to lack of access, Barrett is suing the state and the Elliots are suing Barrett as they sold the land for the new manufacturing building contingent on gaining new road access to their property.
With investment offers and contracts on hold because of the road issue, Barrett says he is forced to look at relocating to another state where officials are offering enticing incentives and investors are willing to input funds to expand Barrett Firearms to “the next level.”
Moving would cost 120 jobs and 250 ancillary jobs at present, not counting planned future expansion, he said, and wonders, “Is the chief engineer of TDOT in charge of economic development in Tennessee?”
Barrett, who got his start in a gravel-floor garage producing the then unique Barrett Light .50, said the firearms producer is a $40-50 million/annual business that is recession proof and doing business with 50-60 American allies.
Pointing to a hallway lined with awards and recognition from sources as diverse as the Wall Street Journal, Fortune 5000 and the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year, Barrett says he has considerable business experience and “this is the biggest travesty I’ve seen in a while.”
TDOT’s insistence “integrity of right of way must be preserved” forces manufacturing delivery trucks to use a rudimentary road at the back of the new production plant, prevents use of the impressive new reception, training and marketing areas at the front of the new facility and greatly increases business costs, Barrett said.
In dealing with potential new investors or in seeking contracts, Barrett said he faces issues with a legal address, shipping access and “fire and emergency services” that are resulting in large and mounting costs.
“I don’t like to sue my own county and state so we can tear down this building and return it to farmland,” he said, but added without the access road, business considerations make that almost unavoidable.
He sees hope only in a judge’s ruling or “(Gov.) Phil Bredesen to come in and ask what are we doing trying to run off jobs.” |
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Member Opinions:
By: Macgyver on 11/1/09
Sad, that it has come to this. I would fully understand if Ronnie took his business elsewhere. What if any has our County Commission's role in all of this been? I hope they are fighting tooth and nail for this.
By: ItsGood on 11/1/09
So, if he takes his business elsewhere, will Rep Rowland follow?
By: abide on 11/2/09
IT would be of Ruthford countys best intrest to extend the road and tell TDOT that jobs are more important than dead land beside the interstate. It is plain to see TDOT doesent make sound decisions on projects by their use of traffic clogging redlights at interstate on and off ramps in murfreesboro and other places,the redlight manufactures must offer good INCENTIVES to use their products.
By: pdb on 11/2/09
This is ridiculous! My husband works at Barrett's and this is our lively hood and to think TDOT can control if my husband and many more people has a job or not! It is hard right now to find good solid work and they are just gonna allow it to leave for a stupid right of way? Get with it Bredesen and take care of this before more people in this state is back on unemployment!
By: Bama on 11/2/09
Pathetic! Absolutely pathetic that the TDOT refuses to build a good access road for Mr. Barrett. Due to their obstinacy there's a good chance 370 jobs will be lost. TDOT claims they never promised to build a new access road; however, their letter referencing relocation of a fence implies such. It seems TDOT is trying to go back on their word. Mr. Barrett, if you have to move I hope you will consider Alabama. We will treat you right! You should contact our governor's office. Consider Prattville, AL. We would welcome you!
By: Fitzcomm on 11/2/09
This sure shows how little influence Donna Rowland has in Nashville, doesn't it?
By: radnex on 11/2/09
Mr. Barrett, May I interest you in the state of Michigan? There are currently many fine manufacturing facilities here that can be had for a song, with existing infrastructure to support. Not to mention a well trained and recently available workforce at your disposal. We are a state that prides itself on it's firearms heritage and has some of the best hunting and outdoors opportunities available.
By: republicaninboro on 11/2/09
itsgood and fitzcomm why bring Mr. Barrett's personal life into this? All Rutherford County Citizens should be demanding that TDOT take immediate action which will allow this company to stay and expand in Our Great County. The government contracts Mr. Barrett has will survive any recession (as we know many businesses can not)and will continue to prosper, I hope in Rutherford County.
By: Hoosier61 on 11/2/09
Mr. Barrett, please consider moving to southern Indiana. Whirlpool in Evansville is closing it's plant there, moving 1,100 jobs to Mexico. The plant they are leaving built P-47 fighters in WWII.I'm sure there would be large tax breaks for you! By the way, you make great rifles!
By: BoltAction on 11/3/09
Why are our elected officials not fighting TDOT to help keep these jobs here? They are not doing enough to keep or bring real jobs to Murfreesboro. Harley is interested in moving, but we hear very little. We just lost the VA billing dept to Smyrna. And now Barretts. But we sure did hear how good a Bible theme park would be for us every single day. Are we really going to lose this business because of 550 ft. of road?
By: Alaskadave on 11/3/09
We have Moron's in our government...from the Federal Level to the State to the County and City they are all FOOLS!
By: Bluesman on 11/3/09
Could it be that Mr.Barrett is a respectable man who built his business from a hobby and has high morals and refuses to grease palms and pad pockets?
By: ItsGood on 11/3/09
This is NOT a City issue.
By: abide on 11/4/09
It is a County issue and they are asleep at the wheel also.
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