Herron Stands Up for I-69 and Jobs

MEDIA CONTACT
Carol Andrews
(731) 364-5415

Dresden - State Senator and Congressional Candidate Roy Herron today secured a commitment from a lawmaker to back off legislation aimed at halting I-69, a highway critical to private sector jobs in West Tennessee.

East Tennessee State Representative Matthew Hill recently filed a bill to stop development of I-69. Hill's bill would make it a felony for state Department of Transportation workers to do any work on the I-69 project. But in a phone call with Hill today, Hill assured Herron he has "no problem" with I-69.

"I talked to Representative Hill, and he promised me he would not pursue the bill as filed," Herron said. "Before the conversation ended, Representative Hill told me, ‘I love I-69. I love all interstates. I love all asphalt and concrete.'"

Herron said the highway, which will run through Obion, Dyer, Lauderdale, Tipton and Shelby counties, will drive new jobs, industry and small business opportunities to West Tennessee.

"With its coming close to the new Northwest Tennessee Port and Industrial Park and the West Tennessee Megasite in Haywood County - two job creators I have been proud to support - I-69 will bring jobs for our families," Herron said.

In addition to I-69, Herron has long supported the Northwest Tennessee Port and Industrial Park on the Mississippi River. A recent jobs study reported the port could bring 2,300 jobs. Herron advocated for the West Tennessee Megasite, which is expected to bring more jobs, and the Montgomery County Megasite, where Hemlock Semiconductor is investing more than a billion dollars and is bringing millions in new wages for workers.