TEDC Names Revenue Commissioner Professional of the Year Award Winner

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) – The Tennessee Economic Development Council (TEDC) has recognized Reagan Farr, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Revenue, as the 2010 Fred Harris Professionals of the Year for their significant economic development achievements in the state of Tennessee. Reagan Farr, since joining the Tennessee Department of Revenue in 2003, has been actively involved in economic development projects, from recruiting new industries and businesses to helping ensure their growth through the creation and expansion of tax incentives. As one of the creators of the TNInvestco program, Farr spearheaded efforts to incentivize innovative business. The program goals are to develop the entrepreneurial infrastructure across the state, to attract new capital to Tennessee and to diversify the state's economy and create jobs through the development of “innovation clusters” which result in new companies being spun off.

In 2009, Commissioner Farr was intimately involved in the recruitment and landing of Hemlock Semiconductor to Montgomery County ($1 billion and 500 new jobs), Wacker Chemie AG to Bradley County ($1 billion and 500 new jobs) and Nissan North America's Electric Vehicle and Battery project ($1 billion and 800 new jobs), as well as the retention and expansion of many Tennessee companies. Furthermore, Southern Business Development Magazine gave Farr much of the credit for attracting a state-of-the-art Volkswagon facility to Chattanooga. "It was Farr who helped design the large incentive package accepted by the German automaker to build its $1 billion facility."

“Mr. Farr's expertise and dedication have significantly contributed to the success of Tennessee’s economic development efforts over the past three years,” said Tennessee ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber. "I am proud to work for continued economic growth in our state" said Farr. "I am truly honored to receive this award from the TEDC."

TEDC is the statewide professional organization for people involved in economic development. The TEDC Professional of the Year Award was established in 1996, with Fred H. Harris being the first recipient. In 2004, the award was renamed in Mr. Harris’ honor. Recipients of the Fred H. Harris award must be nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of TEDC past presidents from the field of nominees. The awards ceremony was conducted as part of the TEDC Annual Fall Conference held this year in Clarksville, TN.