This week the Coffee County Commission met and approved by a vote of 21-0 a Tax Increment Financing plan (TIF) for Northgate Mall in Tullahoma. The infrastructure improvements are designed to finance these projects through future property tax abatements. The approval is for 10 years instead of the 14 requested by Tullahoma Area Economic Development Corp.
In addition to the proposed public improvements of up to $1.8 million, Northgate LLC plans to invest an additional $12-14 million in upgrades to the mall itself in an attempt to attract new, higher-end retailers.
The $1.8 million portion designated for government financing involves upgrades that benefit the public, such as paving, drainage improvements and landscaping. The remaining $12 million or so of improvements are designed to enhance the mall’s commercial appeal to attract more and better stores.
According to the Tullahoma Area Economic Development Corporation, tax-increment financing is a way for counties and municipalities to attract retail and other types of development at minimal risk to the taxpayer and reduced cost to the developer at the same time.

For the second time in recent weeks, a dead bobcat has been found at Tullahoma High School.
Tuesday afternoon a dead bobcat was found in the parking lot on the southwest side of the football field.
According to a report by Officer Daryn Gadeken, someone passing by the parking lot saw the bobcat and contacted police.
According to the police report, the animal had been shot just behind the shoulders, however, the officer stated that the animal had been shot somewhere else and placed in the parking lot.
Tullahoma animal control was notified and removed the animal.
According to Tullahoma Police Chief Paul Blackwell, the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) is investigating the killing of the animal.
The week of the annual Coffee Pot football game a dead bobcat was found hanging from the goal post of the football practice field at the school.
A Coffee County High School student was charged with killing the animal out of season, however, the person who hung the animal from the goal post is not known.

Tennessee Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips announced Thursday afternoon the Tennessee preliminary unemployment rate for October was 7.1 percent, two tenths of one percentage point lower than the September revised rate of 7.3 percent. The U.S. preliminary rate for October was 5.8 percent, down from 5.9 percent in September.
Economic Summary
• Over the past year, Tennessee’s unemployment rate decreased from 8.1 percent to 7.1 percent while the national rate declined from 7.2 percent to 5.8 percent.
• Total nonfarm employment increased 7,900 jobs from September to October. The largest increases occurred in trade/transportation/utilities, professional/business services, and manufacturing.
• Over the year, nonfarm employment increased 59,800 jobs. The largest increases occurred in professional/business services, trade/transportation/utilities, and leisure/hospitality.