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North Etowah Industrial Park in McMinn County, Tenn., is the first recipient in the state to receive CSX Transportation's "Select Site" designation.

The Select Site program reviews the "most capable" manufacturing and distribution development properties along the Class I's network that can rapidly utilize freight-rail service. The designation confirms that standard land-use issues have been addressed and the site is ready for development, said CSXT officials in a prepared statement.

"This program helps communities identify and prepare sites that can compete for new investments and job creation," said Clark Robertson, CSXT's assistant vice president of regional development.

CSXT introduced the program in 2012 and partnered with The Austin Co. to screen candidate sites.

The 270-acre North Etowah Industrial Park is in a strategic location between the growing cities of Knoxville and Chattanooga, said Jonathan Gemmen, senior location consultant for The Austin Co.

"This site is clear, adjacent to the CSX mainline and has all the utilities on site in ample capacity," he said.