Clarksville, Tenn. Leading in Recession Recovery

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- City leaders searching for
solutions to economic woes might consider boarding the "last train" to
Clarksville, Tenn., where economy recovery is outpacing other regions.

Statistics reveal Clarksville faired much better during the recession than
most cities, and may be leading its peers in recovery. Moody's identified
Clarksville as one of 23 of 381 cities where recession is moderating, based on
its Adversity Index.

This nation's ninth fastest growing city has experienced quite a few bullish
indicators. A 2008 report by Manier and Exton in Nashville showed the city's
median home price increased 2.9 percent compared to the 18.7 percent national
dive. The average home price increased from $142,870 in 2007 to $147,137 in
2008.

And for a city that bills itself as "Tennessee's Top Spot," the news gets
better. Sales tax receipts for the past fiscal year decreased a modest 1.4
percent - far better than state statistics, which dropped 6.82 percent.

"I don't know if we are doing things better than other cities, or if people
are just discovering our city's benefits," commented Mayor John E. Piper.
"Hopefully, it's a little of both."

Economically speaking, area leaders are clearly doing something better. After
a two-year global search, Dow Corning has chosen Clarksville as the ideal site
to build a new $1.2 billion manufacturing facility.

The Dow/Hemlock Semiconductor plant will produce polysilicon for the expanding
solar cell and semiconductor markets. It will mean about 900 hundred jobs for
the area by 2012, as well as millions in related investments from suppliers
supporting output. Construction on the facility has begun and core investments
in local jobs are already visible with firms like DBS & Associates.

"Hemlock has kept half of our work force busy at a time when business was
sluggish," said DBS President/CEO David Smith. The company also designed a
sanitary sewer system and railroad spur line for the property.

"We like to [use local companies] to be a good member of the community," said
Hemlock project manager Jim Russo. He added that they plan to employ about
1,000 engineers and 1,000 construction workers as Hemlock bids out
approximately 400 contracts.

Such employment growth is welcome news to Clarksville leaders. Like most
cities, the weak spot has been inadequate jobs for its 100,000 residents. The
August 2009 unemployment rate was 9.7 percent - slightly better than the
national rate - but significantly better than the state's rate of 10.8
percent.

"While we would love to ratchet down unemployment faster, we know that our job
prospects are very encouraging because of investments like Hemlock," Piper
stated.

Regardless of which economic indicator you monitor, Clarksville seems to be
leading in recession recovery. With the Hemlock development underway and a
resilient economy in check, it is likely the city will claim the "top spot" in
Tennessee for years to come.

For more information, call 931-645-7444 or visit the city's Web site at
www.cityofclarksville.com.

SOURCE City of Clarksville

Christie Hill, +1-931-648-6128, christie.hill@cityofclarksville.com