No WhiteWash!

Another missed opportunity for East Tennessee Counties.

The close working partnership between the state of Tennessee, Memphis and Shelby County has led to the successful completion of this project,” said Commissioner Kisber.

I wonder if Sullivan County has considered getting cozy with State Officials to get new companies to settle in Sullivan County?

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen today joined with Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber, Memphis Mayor AC Wharton, Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell and executives of Electrolux to announce the company’s decision to locate a $190 million facility for the manufacture of major cooking appliances in Memphis, Tennessee. The 700,000 square foot facility is expected to employ more than 1,200 workers when it is fully operational.  Commissioner Kisber added that taking other construction, procurement and additional supply chain activity into account, the project could result in an additional 2,260 jobs and $550 million in additional capital investment to the region.

“I’m very appreciative of Electrolux’ investment in Tennessee and the company’s confidence in the quality and productivity of Tennessee workers,” said Governor Bredesen. “Our efforts to support the company’s existing Tennessee operations have led to a close working relationship and I couldn’t be more pleased that partnership has led to additional investment by one of the world’s best known and most respected brands.”

“The close working partnership between the state of Tennessee, Memphis and Shelby County has led to the successful completion of this project,” said Commissioner Kisber. “Memphis is truly a global city and we’re pleased that a global company of the quality of Electrolux has chosen to invest here and to create job opportunities for thousands of Tennesseans.”

“We are very pleased to have found a great location for our new manufacturing center,” said Kevin Scott, president, Electrolux Major Appliances – North America. “Important decisions like this are never easy, but this one became very clear-cut for Electrolux because of the extensive support we received from state, city and county elected officials and governing bodies.”

“The people of Memphis and Shelby County are ready to go to work to make this facility the most productive and highest quality plant in the Electrolux portfolio,” said Mayor Wharton. “We’re committed to working together to create good quality jobs for the people of our community and this announcement is a great show of progress in that effort.”

“I’m gratified the senior leadership of Electrolux believes Shelby County is the right place to build upon the company’s remarkable success,” said Mayor Luttrell. “This announcement is the result of the strong partnership between the Governor, the state, the Chamber, Memphis and Shelby County and I believe it speaks volumes about the business climate of our community.”

The facility will be located in the Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park and Electrolux officials say it will be a world class facility built to LEED certification standards. Workers will manufacture the company’s Electrolux ICON®, Electrolux® and Frigidaire® product lines, including drop-in/slide-in ranges, wall ovens, specialty free standing ranges and cook tops. Construction is expected to begin in early 2011 with production to begin in mid-2012.

Electrolux also operates a manufacturing facility for free standing gas and electric ranges in Springfield, Tennessee. The Springfield facility currently employs about 2,900 people.

East Tennessee lost another one.  How about our local elected officials get busy and try to get new companies to come to Sullivan County, TN.  But, I guess they are busy building a new swimming hole (Aquatic Center),

Production Facility Will Create 170 Jobs in Bedford County

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber announced today that SMW Automotive, a Tier 1 supplier of automotive chassis and suspension parts and subassemblies, will open a production facility in Shelbyville, Tenn. The 131,000 square foot Bedford County plant will represent a $26 million capital investment by the company and will create 170 jobs over five years.

“This announcement by SMW Automotive is a significant win for our state’s economy,” said Governor Bredesen. “I am very pleased to see this investment in our state by SMW Automotive, and I am confident our workforce will prove to be an asset for the company as it continues to grow.”

The Michigan-based SMW supplies safety-critical parts such as brake and chassis components for a broad range of vehicles manufactured by companies such as Nissan and Volkswagen. Other products designed and produced by SMW include steering knuckles, control arms, wheel hubs and brake corner assemblies. SMW has eight manufacturing plants in the US and other operations in Europe, South America and Asia. Its main engineering center is located in Troy and its validation laboratories in Warren, Michigan.

“Once again, the ripple effect from the presence of anchor companies like Nissan and Volkswagen has leveraged significant investment,” said Commissioner Kisber. “Tennessee’s strategy of identifying and securing business ‘anchors’ capable of generating follow-on investment like SMW Automotive means more high skill, good paying jobs are available for Tennesseans.”

“We are looking forward to launching this new plant close to our customers and suppliers. The Shelbyville area has a skilled, solid and reliable workforce, supported by the Tennessee Technology Center with CNC machining, metrology and assembly training programs,” said Tom Bane, director of manufacturing for SMW Automotive. “We have started our recruiting and training process. The plant will eventually employ 170 people based on awarded 2011-2012 business. The State of Tennessee and the Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce have provided invaluable assistance to help us get this plant up and running in a very short time. SMW will use its long experience of starting new plants to make this launch flawless.”

Applications for production positions at the new facility will be accepted immediately, and production is scheduled to get underway this fall. Interested parties should contact the Tennessee Career Center in Shelbyville, 301 North Main Street, 931.685.5000.

JOHNSON CITY, TN — One hundred new jobs will soon be coming to Johnson City which will grow its local workforce by 20 percent.

Read more via ATT jobs coming to Johnson City | TriCities.com.

A Bristol, Tennessee employer is looking to hire 200 people.

Kelly Services contacted 11 Connects today about the job openings at Touchstone Wireless.

Interested applicants can apply by calling Kelly Services at (276) 466-2843, or in person at Kelly’s offices located at 1969 Lee Highway in Bristol, Virginia.

There will also be a job fair at Touchstone Wireless, 2536 West State Street, on Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:00pm.

via Touchstone Wireless looking to hire 200 people | TriCities.com.

More Than 15,000 E-Learning and Certification Vouchers Available

NASHVILLE – There is one month left for Tennesseans to receive free technology training through Microsoft’s Elevate America Program. Governor Bredesen, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Microsoft announced the innovative public-private partnership in April to distribute 25,875 vouchers for free online technology training and certification. Tennessee has more than 15,000 vouchers remaining including the following: 6,500 vouchers for Microsoft Business Certification training, 7,900 vouchers for Microsoft Business Certification exams, and 800 vouchers for advanced Microsoft IT Professional online learning. The last day to apply for a training and certification voucher is July 26, 2010.

“Time is running out for those interested in taking advantage of these online courses and certifications,” said Labor Commissioner James Neeley. “This kind of skills training, especially while it’s free, should be something that jobseekers can use to compete for jobs.”

Vouchers can be used for the following training and certifications:

· Computer Basics for Beginners – Access basic computer concepts and skills. Perfect for those new to computers. No voucher is required for the beginner courses.

· Intermediate Level, Business Worker Online Learning – Select from Microsoft Windows Vista, Office 2003 or Office 2007 online training. Voucher must be activated by July 26, 2010. E-Learning is accessible for 12 months from activation date.

· Intermediate Level Certification Exams – Certification exams must be taken at a Certiport Testing Location. Select from Office 2003 or Office 2007 exams. Voucher must be activated by July 26, 2010. Certification exams must be completed by July 26, 2010.

· Advanced Level IT Professional Online Learning – Select a training from Microsoft’s online learning library for IT Professionals and Developers. The cost of certification exams at this level is not covered by this program. Voucher must be activated by July 26, 2010.

Microsoft Elevate America vouchers can be obtained online at http://elevateamerica.tn.gov. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities at the Tennessee Career Center nearest you. For a list of Tennessee Career Center locations, visit http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/cc/cccounty.htm.

East Tennessee is left out of the picture again.

Michigan-based Insurance Company to Hire Up to 750 Employees Over Three Years

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Governor Phil Bredesen and Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber today joined the president and CEO of Lansing, MI-based Jackson National Life Insurance Company, along with elected officials from Williamson County and the city of Franklin to announce the company has agreed to locate a regional headquarters employing up to 750 workers at the One Greenway Building in the Cool Springs area of Franklin, Tennessee. Jackson National’s growth plans call for the company to occupy 90,000 square feet of office space by January 2011, adding 30,000 square feet in 2012 and another 30,000 square feet in 2013.

“With this announcement, Jackson National Life Insurance becomes the 51^st company to locate a corporate or regional headquarters in Tennessee since 2003,” said Governor Bredesen. “The state of Tennessee’s ongoing partnership with government and economic development officials in Franklin and Williamson County is creating skilled, good paying jobs for the people of Tennessee and we’re grateful for Jackson National Life’s investment in our state and our people.”

“Tennessee’s nationally recognized business climate continues to be a magnet for corporate headquarters,” said Commissioner Kisber. “We’ve demonstrated that Governor Bredesen’s Jobs Cabinet approach and strong partnerships between the state and local communities can yield positive results when it comes to new jobs and investment.”

“Given Jackson’s rapid growth — which resulted in record sales and deposits of more than $15 billion last year — and our expectations for future growth opportunities, we must proactively expand our operational capacity, so we will be able to continue to deliver the award-winning service that advisers and their clients have come to expect from Jackson,” said Clark Manning, Jackson’s president and chief executive officer.

Jackson National Life Insurance Company has national headquarters in Lansing, Michigan and offers variable, fixed and fixed index annuities and life insurance products through banks, independent financial advisors, regional brokers and dealers, wire houses and independent agents. The company was founded in 1961 and named after president and Tennessean Andrew Jackson. The company has assets of nearly $88 billion and operates in ten locations across the U.S. with more than 3,700 employees.

“Middle Tennessee has a large and well-educated workforce and is home to many institutions of higher learning,” said Jackson Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer Mike Wells. “With several insurance and financial services companies located in and around Nashville, we expect to be able to attract numerous experienced, qualified job candidates.”

Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson said Jackson’s decision to locate their operations in Franklin reflects positively on Williamson County’s reputation as the location-of-choice for headquarter operations.

“The Nashville region in general and Williamson County in particular is a magnet for regional, national and international corporate headquarters,” said Anderson. “Jackson’s decision to locate their operations here reflects the economic diversity of Williamson County and reinforces our understanding that great schools, great amenities, and superior talent are the primary attractors for corporate locations.”

“The City of Franklin is well known for our rich history and quality of life. It’s no surprise Jackson National Life Insurance Company chose our fine city to locate their regional headquarters. They will be a welcome addition to our global corporate community. Franklin offers a top-notch talented workforce that will compliment Jackson’s high quality service record,” Franklin Mayor John Schroer said.

“It is very exciting news that Jackson National Life Insurance Company is locating their regional headquarters in Williamson County,” said John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development. “TVA is glad to be on the economic development team with the Williamson County Office of Economic Development, City of Franklin, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to bring quality jobs and investments which will boost the area’s economy.”

2,000 Immediate Openings Offered at Tennessee Career Centers

NASHVILLE- Tennessee Career Centers are announcing the availability of more than 2,000 area jobs to assist in the cleanup and restoration of flood-damaged properties. The jobs are mostly temporary, do not require experience, and offer pay rates averaging $8-10 per hour.

“These jobs provide opportunities for people to help with projects that are important to communities working to clean up and rebuild,” said Labor Commissioner James Neeley. “This obviously is tough work; however, we’ve received calls from all over the state from motivated individuals who are looking for ways to help in the clean-up effort as well as earn an immediate income.”

The recent flooding has resulted in demand for a wide range of workers including general laborers, movers, plumbers, electricians and carpenters. Tennessee Career Centers take job orders directly from employers and screen prospective workers at no charge. In the last 12 months, the Tennessee Career Center system has served approximately 523,000 job seekers with more than 48,000 job listings.

Jobs can be found on the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Internet site at www.tn.gov/labor-wfd or viewed at any Tennessee Career Center. Most applications must be completed in person at the Tennessee Career Center, or applicants will be directed to the proper contact with the employer. Applicants should bring identification such as driver’s license or social security card.

To find Tennessee Career Center nearest you, please call (615) 741-6749 or find a directory of locations at http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/cc/.

The 10 best-paying jobs for women were ranked by data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics on the median weekly earnings of female full-time wage and salary workers in 2009. And this year’s list looks very different from last year’s tally. Human resource managers fell off the list, computer programmers moved on and chief executives moved up.

See the list at Forbes.com

Forbes has ranked the worst cities below for jobs.

1. Warren-Troy-Farmington Hills, Mich.
2. Morristown, Tenn.
3. Elkhart-Goshen, Ind.
4. Detroit-Livonia-Dearborn, Mich.
5. Holland-Grand Haven, Mich.
6. Kokomo, Ind.
7. Janesville, Wis.
8. Dalton, Ga.
9. Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, N.C.
10. Waterbury, Conn.

See the following links for more information

• The Worst Cities for Jobs
• In Pictures: 10 Worst Cities For Jobs
• In Pictures: 10 Worst Mid-Size Cities For Jobs
• In Pictures: 10 Worst Big Cities For Jobs
• In Pictures: Best Mid-Sized Cities For Jobs
• In Pictures: Best Small Cities For Jobs

It appears that Keith Wilson, former NETWORKS chairman and publisher of the Kingsport Times-News is using his newspaper to drum up support for increased funding to make the Kingsport schools the best in the state.

Keith Wilson quoted some statistics below on how Kingsport schools ranked in the state and he would like to use NETWORKS to market Kingsport schools “in soliciting new business and industry and trying to keep existing business and industry”.

NETWORKS is a joint economic development partnership of Bluff City, Bristol, Kingsport and Sullivan County, Tennessee.

There is nothing wrong about using Kingsport school statistics to attract new business, but if the Kingsport schools rank was so good now, then why hasn’t NETWORKS used that to attract new business and industry in the past.  How successful were you Mr. Wilson during your term as Chairman of Networks in getting new business and industry by promoting the Kingsport schools?

NETWORKS envisions making Kingsport schools best in Tennessee (Please read the entire Kingsport Times-News article)

Wilson cited statistics compiled by the SCORE program of former U.S. Sen. Bill Frist, which Wilson said showed that among 119 K-12 public systems statewide Kingsport schools had the sixth-highest per-pupil expenditures in the state, the third-highest percentage of local funding in their budget, and the 38th-highest graduation rate.

It also was the 14th most economic advantaged system, was 18th in growth from third to eighth grade scores, and ranked sixth in the three-year ACT score average, he said

I smell a tax increase that would affect only the City of Kingsport property owners. Somehow, I don’t think the Kingsport citizens would approve of a tax increase while Bristol, Bluff City and Sullivan County residents got the benefits of a new business or industry located outside of Kingsport city limits.

Kingsport BMA needs to be reminded that the household median income for Kingsport is $34,391 and the Individuals below poverty level 18.0%. Two people in the same household making the minimum wage would make $30,160 per year.   Kingsport citizens cannot afford a tax increase to fund the NETWORKS marketing scheme that Keith Wilson is proposing.  The City of Kingsport also  has 20.1 percent of its population that are over 65 years of age and this group cannot not afford a tax increase.   The NETWORKS marketing scheme should be funded by business or a personal tax on the “elite”.

Mr. Wilson, what were you doing during your involvement with NETWORKS when the opportunities below went somewhere else?

• Small NC town to get $1 billion Apple data center
• Gov. Bredesen – works to attract investments for West TN, but plant flowers in East TN
• Silver Eagle Bus Manufacturing lands in Gallatin
• Bredesen, Kisber Announce New Investment in Renewable Energy Sector, Creating 500 New Jobs
• Volkswagen Group of America Selects Chattanooga Location
• East TN lost another one!
• New York Site Edges Bristol, VA In Competition For Yahoo! Data Center
• Multi-Million Dollar Capital Investment to Create Over 400 New Jobs in West TN
• Southern towns: Harley plant welcome
• German firm buys Chattanooga Aerisyn operation
• State panel approves purchase of land for Haywood megasite
• Governor Bredesen, Commissioner Kisber Announce Unilever Expansion in Covington
• BJS North America East Celebrates Grand Opening in Jefferson County

Keith Wilson is not listed on the NETWORKS Board of Directors.

In my opinion, the NETWORKS organization which is supported with taxpayer money, is just simply ineffective in getting new businesses that offer good jobs for the area.

See also the following link;  Kingsport leaders tentatively on board with NETWORKS plan for schools