I started a petition this week requesting that Dollar General and Schaad Brown Real Estate (not associated with Schaad Companies) enhance the design of the Dollar General they are building at the corner of Washington Pike and Murphy Road. It's just about at 500 supporters.

Here's the link if you'd like to support it. All the info is there and in the attachments:
(link...)

Good article from CNET describing how Chattanooga has leveraged local infrastructure investments in Internet service to boost their economy, keep graduates in the town, and attract talent.

Chattanooga's utility company charges $70/month for 1 gigabit. Comcast is now selling 2 gigabit in Knoxville, but for $300/month.

(link...)

Some thoughts on the Hillside and Ridgetop Plan...

Apparently the County Commission meeting for this afternoon, where the East County Sector Plan will be considered, has been postponed due to the weather in the area. A new meeting date will be announced today.

Editor update: The County Commission meeting has been rescheduled for Friday, December 17th. The Zonings portion of the County Commission meeting will be at 4:00 pm.

An Open Letter to the Knox County Commission

2010 December 02

Dear Knox County Commissioners,

I respectfully request that you vote to send the East County Sector Plan back to the Metropolitan Planning Commission with instructions to retain the existing sector plan designation on the northwest quadrant of Midway Road, thereby rejecting the concept of a business park at that intersection.

The reasons for this request are:

1. There are better ways for The Development Corporation, The Chamber of Commerce and Knox County to utilize its development funds.
2. Businesses targeted by the sector plan won’t locate at Midway Road.
3. Focus on what’s working – Downtown Redevelopment
4. Missing justification to support further investment in Midway Road Business Park.
5. No controls are proposed to limit future build-out costs
6. Location exacerbates sprawl and pollution
7. Preservation of rural character contributes to the attractiveness of Knox County.