NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, along with representatives from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA), Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) Architects, and TW Frierson Contractors, celebrated the groundbreaking of the new TEMA Warehouse and Middle Region Coordination Center today. The $59.3 million project, approved by the Tennessee State Building Commission, will significantly enhance the state’s emergency preparedness, response capacity, and operational efficiency.

This state-of-the-art facility will be located on a 110-acre property and will encompass 121,980 square feet under roof, including 67,302 square feet of tilt-up concrete panels and a 6,784 square-foot mezzanine. The facility will replace TEMA’s current leased warehouse and administrative spaces, consolidating critical operations into a modern hub for disaster response and coordination. The facility is designed to house the Middle Region Coordination Center, a regional emergency response hub and a back-up state watch point.

"This facility is a key investment in the safety and security of Tennesseans and will strengthen our state’s readiness to respond to emergencies,” said Governor Bill Lee. “By streamlining resource coordination and strengthening TEMA’s infrastructure, we will be even more prepared to support communities in times of crisis." 

Key Features of the Facility Include:

• 131,204 cubic yards of concrete (flatwork) and Tilt-Up concrete panels to ensure durability and resilience.
• A helipad onsite for rapid deployment of emergency personnel and resources.
• A Video A/V Wall for enhanced monitoring and coordination during crisis situations.
• A mechanical yard with a chiller system and two emergency generators to ensure uninterrupted operations in the event of power loss.

"This new warehouse and coordination center will vastly improve our ability to store, manage, and deploy resources quickly when emergencies arise,” said TEMA Director Patrick C. Sheehan. “From storms to flooding to other emergencies, the infrastructure here is built for fast, efficient response and recovery."

The State Building Commission approved this project in March 2023, which allowed the Tennessee Department of Military to select Goodwyn Mills Cawood Architects to complete the design. The State’s Construction Manager/General Contractor alternate delivery method was approved, and TW Frierson of Nashville was selected in to begin construction, which is now ready to proceed.