Scripps Networks is extending its roots in Knoxville, preparing to break ground on a major expansion of its worldwide headquarters. Plans have been unveiled today to create a new Knoxville Main Campus configuration along Sherrill Blvd., incorporating land that the business has owned for many years with a new parcel recently acquired. The $30 million expansion project, which includes construction of a new building, will nearly double office space for the business' headquarters -- from 189,000-square-feet to 340,000-square-feet. The project will complete an upgrade which began last year with an expansion of the Campus' parking structure and is continuing today with work to upgrade its technical infrastructure. The total value of the upgrades and expansion will be more than $30 million, with greater continuing economic impact on the city through the nearly 900 employees living and working in Knoxville. Scripps Networks currently employs more than 1,400 people with additional offices crossing the country, including locations in Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit and San Francisco. "Scripps Networks began in Knoxville in 1994 with the seed of a groundbreaking idea in HGTV. Over the past dozen years, we have cultivated the business as it has steadily grown strong and has branched out into new brands. Our leading lifestyle brands - including Food Network, DIY Network, Fine Living and Great American Country in addition to HGTV - are seen in more than 95 million homes across the US, in more than 175 territories worldwide, and in new ways on new platforms like online and satellite radio," says John Lansing, president of Scripps Networks. "Now, we are ready to break ground on a new facility where we will continue to grow groundbreaking ideas and world-class brands here in a state that ranks among the top in media production." "It makes me proud to hear people talk about Knoxville's growing prominence as one of the largest media production markets in the country," said Governor Phil Bredesen. "I feel confident that industry growth would not have been possible without the investments we've seen from Scripps Networks, including the one we're seeing today."Scripps Networks has signed on local firm Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon, Inc. along with KZF Design out of Cincinnati, Ohio, to design the new expanded headquarters. The physical construction on the campus project will likely begin later this year. Targeted to be completed in late 2010, in addition to the new office space, the entire project is being designed with the environment in mind, including the use of sustainable building practices.

Scripps Networks currently operates out of two Knoxville locations, the Main Campus at 9721 Sherrill Blvd. and the Northshore Campus at 2160 Lakeside Centre Way. A lease has recently been signed with Corridor Park Limited Partnership II on a third office location, 830 Corridor Park Blvd., to be used until the expansion of the Main Campus is complete. It is anticipated to be occupied beginning in fourth quarter 2007. "Scripps Networks strives to be a world-class employer and will now have a world-class facility from which to operate, including an expanded data center and state of the art technical infrastructure," said Lansing. "We are proud to be located in Knoxville. Lifestyle is what we do and we know there is no better lifestyle than the one we have right here. We partner with many community organizations to continue to enrich this area we all call home." "Scripps Networks is a fabulous community partner, one that we are proud to have headquartered in Knoxville. Scripps Networks has done more than add great jobs and high energy, creative people; it has spawned a very productive media industry in our city that rivals New York, LA and Chicago," said City of Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam.Knoxville isn't the only Tennessee location in which Scripps is expanding. The Scripps Networks-owned Great American Country (GAC) is nearing completion on an expansion of its offices in Nashville, including construction of a new production studio on Music Row.Scripps Networks is part of The E.W. Scripps Company, which also owns the Knoxville News Sentinel.