Barker chosen to represent West Tennessee city, county mayors during Blue Oval City transition

Katrina Smith, Jackson Sun
·2 min read

The West Tennessee City and County Mayors Associations announced that Joe Barker will serve as their representative during the Blue Oval City transition.

The groups met late last week at the Southwest Tennessee Development District (SWTDD) office.

With so many components involved in Blue Oval City and with its developments underway, the city and county mayors agreed it was necessary to have one representative, to serve as their eyes, ears and voice during the transitional period.

Ford released a statement after the appointment, saying its leadership is looking forward to working with Barker.

Joe Barker named the representative of West Tennessee city and county mayors for Blue Oval City
Joe Barker named the representative of West Tennessee city and county mayors for Blue Oval City

“The coordinating responsibilities Joe (Barker) has agreed to take on will ensure that the rural communities of West Tennessee have an important voice in this historic project and share in the benefits it will bring to the entire region," the company said. "Blue Oval City will usher in a new era for American manufacturing and the communities of West Tennessee are critical to making it happen."

Greenfield Mayor Cynthia McAddams agreed.

"Communication is the key to success," she said. "Barker will attend meetings and be our point of contact for communication."

Plans for Blue Oval City call for the creation of more than 6,000 jobs in the automotive industry.

"In Middle Tennessee, OEM is in Spring Hill and Smryna," Hardeman County Mayor Jimmy Sain said. "In West Tennessee, Blue City Oval will be in Stanton. The employees will be from our cities and they will bring back their earned wages and shop in their communities."

Barker is a former mayor of the City of Savannah and Hardeman County.

"This collaboration leads to preparation that has never been more important for the leaders in West Tennessee," Sain said. "We are stronger in parts as a whole than as an individual."

As executive director of SWTDD, Barker believes having one representative will make everything easier. He said other municipalities, such as Memphis and Jackson, already have representatives and this will allow things to be easier for the mayors.

Blue Oval City is expected to be completed in 2025.

Land prepping began this week at Ford Motor Co. and SK On’s $5.6 billion Blue Oval City project in Stanton. Construction on Blue Oval City is expected to begin later this year, according to Ford officials.
Land prepping began this week at Ford Motor Co. and SK On’s $5.6 billion Blue Oval City project in Stanton. Construction on Blue Oval City is expected to begin later this year, according to Ford officials.

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Barker chosen to represent West Tennessee city, county mayors during Blue Oval City transition