An UPDATE on a FOX17 investigation. 4 days after we sounded the alarm over $13 million taxpayer dollars pumped into the 4 Lake Authority and how few jobs you have to show for it, the Authority's Executive Director was fired. 4 Lake is a 500-acre industrial site on the Trousdale/Smith County line. Despite over $13 million worth of land purchases and infastructure improvements since 2002, most of the buildings remain vacant. State Representative Mark Pody of Lebanon called for new leadership and Thursday he got his wish. Thursday morning, 4 Lake's Executive Committee announced it was buying out Jerry Clift's contract for $125,000.

"I felt like we had an obligation to a contract that we signed that was a 4 year contract," says board member Michael Nesbit. "So, we had to do something and the board made a good decision today in my opinion."

The 4 Lake Board voted 4-1 in favor of the buyout. Officials say they may hire a consultant to help identify a new manager with a proven track record of attracting new industry.
UPDATE: 4 Lake Authority