Jefferson County Mayor Alan Palmieri spoke out against a proposed megasite project on Friday.
Supporters of the megasite said they hope to bring a major company to the proposed site near I-40 and I-81 interchange. They said the business would pump more than $2 billion into the economy and create thousands of jobs.
Critics argued that turning farmland into an industrial site without any guarantees from a company isn't worth sacrificing the land. Jefferson County Commissioners approved spending more than $442,000 to study the plans in February.
Palmieri said he believes the current proposal is flawed and leaves Jefferson County residents footing the bill.
He said neither the state nor TVA has committed to the project financially. In an interview with the "Jefferson County Post," the mayor said he wants the county to go back to the drawing board.
"I'm not saying we should kill the project or the idea to attract an automaker in Jefferson County, but I think we can't do it single-handedly," explained Palmieri.
10News tried to get Palmieri on the record tonight, but he was unavailable. Garrett Wagley with the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce told 10News he's disappointed with the mayor's position.
Wagley said in a statement quote, "Both Tennessee Valley Authority and the state of Tennessee have expressed support for this project throughout the planning process. We are confident that both organizations will provide funding and support once we have assembled the property and begin certification."