Dickson County Commission Considers $750K Land Purchase To Expand Agriculture Center Footprint
Charlotte, TN — Dickson County officials are considering a $750,000 land purchase that would significantly expand the footprint of the planned Agriculture Center, a move county leaders described as long-term planning aimed at preserving flexibility and avoiding much higher land costs in the future.
The proposal was discussed during the January 5th, 2026 County Commission work session, where commissioners reviewed the potential purchase of 11.5 acres directly north of the current Agriculture Center site. If approved, the acquisition would increase the county-owned property from approximately 18 acres to nearly 30 acres.
County leadership emphasized that opportunities to buy adjacent land are rare—especially once development begins.
The property is owned by a retired local veterinarian, well known in the community, who has agreed to sell the land to the county for $750,000. Officials noted the property had been listed at $1.1 million, and that nearby parcels of similar size with homes are currently on the market for that higher price.
“This is about opportunity cost,” on county official said during the meeting. “If we ever need this land 10 or 15 years from now and it’s developed, the price won’t be anywhere near this.”
Commissioners explained that while the Agriculture Center can be built on the current 18-acre site, purchasing the additional acreage would allow the county to:
plan for future expansion without relocating
accommodate additional agricultural events or facilities
preserve rural land use rather than see it developed privately
reduce long-term costs by securing land now instead of later
County leaders referenced a similar agriculture complex in McNairy County, which operates on roughly 24 acres and is already nearing capacity. Dickson County officials said their site lacks some of McNairy’s advantages—such as adjacency to a high school—which makes additional space even more valuable over time.
One concern raised during the discussion was whether the land purchase could affect school funding or delay the Agriculture Center’s construction.
County officials addressed that directly, stating the purchase would not impact school funding and would not alter the existing building footprint or construction timeline for the Agriculture Center itself.
Architectural planning for the Agriculture Center is expected to begin soon based on the original 18-acre site, regardless of whether the additional land is acquired.
Funding for the purchase, officials said, would come from available county funds, including savings generated through recent grant awards and stronger-than-expected performance in certain county accounts.
Commissioners also discussed a right-of-way easement separating the current site from the proposed purchase. While acknowledging the inconvenience, county officials said the issue is manageable and could be addressed through coordination with the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
Plans could include a wide, improved walkway or farm-vehicle-accessible connection, allowing equipment, golf carts, and pedestrian traffic to move safely between the properties—especially as Highway 46 is widened in the future.
The proposal was advanced to the regular County Commission meeting, where it will receive a formal vote. If approved, the purchase would give Dickson County one of its largest publicly owned agricultural facilities in decades, and lock in land that officials say will only become more expensive as growth continues.
As one commissioner summarized during the discussion, “You can always build a building later. You can’t always buy the land next door.”