Thornton, Ross join forces for mega-sized Nickajack Lake project

Two of East Tennessee's most influential businessmen - John "Thunder" Thornton and Michael Ross - are pooling their resources to build a $750 million residential community on the shores of Nickajack Lake. The 578-acre project in Marion County about 20 minutes west of Chattanooga would be one the largest residential developments of its kind in Tennessee. the businessmen said.

"It's a very exceptional property," said Ross, president of Rarity Communities, Inc., a Maryville, Tennessee based company that currently has five massive residential communities in various stages of development in East Tennessee.  Thornton, a Chattanooga businessman and chairman of Thunder Enterprises, describes the Nickajack property as the "Grand Canyon of Tennessee."

The master development plan includes 3.8 miles of lakefront property, about 1,000 homesites, a championship caliber 18-hole golf course and clubhouse, a marina and access to a trophy bass lake.  Walking trails, parks and extensive green space also are planned for the development.