No WhiteWash!

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.

Rates Decrease in 87 Counties, Increase in 5, Remain the Same in 3

NASHVILLE – Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for July was 9.8 percent, down two-tenths of a percentage point from the revised June rate of 10.0 percent. The national unemployment rate for July 2010 was 9.5 percent.

County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for July 2010, released today, show that the rate decreased in 87 counties, increased in 5 counties and remained the same in three counties.

Lincoln County registered the state’s lowest county unemployment rate at 6.4 percent, down from 6.7 percent in June. Scott County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 19.4 percent, down from 20.8 percent, followed by Marshall County at 15.7 percent, down from 16.6 percent in the previous month.

Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 7.5 percent, down from 7.8 percent in June. Davidson County was 9.3 percent, up from 9.0 percent. Hamilton County was 8.4 percent, down from 9.1 in June, and Shelby County was 9.9 percent, down from 10.5.

NOTE: Information is available on the Internet for other Tennessee counties and cities, enter http://www.tennessee.gov/labor-wfd/labor_figures/july2010county.pdf

Data is from the following links – July 2008, August 2009, Sept 2009, Oct 2008, Nov 2009, Dec 2009, Jan 2010,  Feb 2009, Mar 2010,  April 2010, May, 2010, June, 2010, July 2010

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.

Seasonally Adjusted Rate Down 0.2 Percentage Point from June

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for July was 9.8 percent, down two-tenths of a percentage point from the revised June rate of 10.0 percent. The July 2009 rate was 10.9 percent. The national unemployment rate for July 2010 was 9.5 percent, unchanged from the June rate of 9.5 percent.

Labor Commissioner James Neeley reports, “Tennessee has employment growth of 1.7% over the past year resulting in an unemployment rate that has fallen by over one percentage point. The U.S. rate of employment shows a decline in employment and a slight rise in the unemployment rate over that same period.”

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
June 2010 to July 2010

According to the Business Survey, healthcare and social assistance increased by 1,200; administrative, support, and waste services added 900 jobs, clothing and clothing accessories stores increased by 500, and state government educational services increased by 500 jobs. Major employment decreases occurred in accommodation and food services, down by 3,900; federal government declined by 2,200; and mining and construction declined by 2,000 jobs.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
July 2009 to July 2010

Year-over-year increases occurred in administrative, support, and waste services, up by 15,000; health care and social assistance gained 5,400; and retail trade was up by 4,800. Year-over-year decreases occurred in mining/construction, down by 6,800; accommodation/food services lost 6,400; and transportation and warehousing decreased by 5,100.

Rates Decrease in 17 Counties, Increase in 72, Remain the Same in 6

NASHVILLE – Tennessee’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June was 10.1 percent, down three-tenth of a percentage point from the May rate of 10.4 percent. The national unemployment rate for June 2010 was 9.5 percent.

County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for June 2010, released today, show that the rate decreased in 17 counties, increased in 72 counties and remained the same in six counties.

Lincoln County registered the state’s lowest county unemployment rate at 6.8 percent, up from 6.6 percent in May. Scott County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 20.9 percent, up from 19.6 percent in May, followed by Marshall County at 16.7 percent, up from 16.6 percent in May.

Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 7.8 percent, up from 7.7 percent in May. Davidson County was 9.1 percent, up from 8.9 percent in May. Hamilton County was 9.1 percent, up from 8.6 in May, and Shelby County was 10.6 percent, up from 10.0 in May.

NOTE: Information is available on the Internet for other Tennessee counties and cities; enter  http://www.tennessee.gov/labor-wfd/labor_figures/june2010county.pdf

Data is from the following links –  2009, June 2009, July 2008, August 2009, Sept 2009, Oct 2008, Nov 2009, Dec 2009, Jan 2010,  Feb 2009, Mar 2010,  April 2010, May, 2010, June, 2010,

Seasonally Adjusted Rate Down 0.3 Percentage Point from May

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for June was 10.1 percent, down three-tenths of a percentage point from the May rate of 10.4 percent. The June 2009 rate was 10.9 percent. The national unemployment rate for June 2010 was 9.5 percent, down 0.2 percentage point from the May rate of 9.7 percent.

“The unemployment rate in Tennessee fell to 10.1 percent in June as a result of moderate growth in employment,” reported Labor Commissioner James Neeley. “Modest gains in areas like construction and leisure/hospitality were offset by job losses in education and census workers.”

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment

May 2010 to June 2010

According to the Business Survey, leisure/hospitality increased by 5,000; mining/construction added 2,500 jobs, and healthcare/social assistance increased by 2,300. Major employment decreases occurred in government (primarily educational services), down by 34,700; administrative/support/waste services declined by 6,100; and private educational services declined by 3,000 jobs.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment

June 2009 to June 2010

Year-over-year increases occurred in administrative/support/waste services, up by 10,000; federal government gained 6,700; and retail trade was up by 5,100. Year-over-year decreases occurred in transportation/warehousing, down by 6,200; mining/construction lost 5,100; and accommodation/food services decreased by 5,000.

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.

Rates Decrease in 86 Counties, Increase in 7, Remain the Same in 2

NASHVILLE – Tennessee’s unemployment rate for May was 10.4 percent, down one-tenth of a percentage point from the April rate of 10.5 percent. The national unemployment rate for May 2010 was 9.7 percent.

County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for May 2010, released today, show that the rate decreased in 86 counties, increased in seven counties and remained the same in two counties.

Lincoln County registered the state’s lowest county unemployment rate at 6.6 percent, down from 7.1 percent in April. Scott County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 19.8 percent, down from 20.2 percent in April, followed by Marshall County at 16.7 percent, down from 17.3 percent in April.

Knox County had the state’s lowest major metropolitan rate of 7.7 percent, down from 8.2 percent in April. Davidson County was 8.9 percent, unchanged from the April rate. Hamilton County was at 8.6 percent, down from 9.0 in April, and Shelby County was 10.0 percent, down from 10.2 in April.

NOTE:  Information is available on the Internet for other Tennessee counties and cities; enter http://www.tennessee.gov/labor-wfd/labor_figures/may2010county.pdf

Data is from the following links –   May, 2009, June 2009, July 2008, August 2009, Sept 2009, Oct 2008, Nov 2009, Dec 2009, Jan 2010,  Feb 2009, Mar 2010,  April 2010, May, 2010

Seasonally Adjusted Rate Down 0.1 Percentage Point from April

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for May was 10.4 percent, down one-tenth of a percentage point from the April rate of 10.5 percent. The May 2009 rate was 10.7 percent. The national unemployment rate for May 2010 was 9.7 percent, down 0.2 percentage point from the April rate of 9.9 percent.

“Gains from the Census jobs aside, the modest employment growth in Tennessee continues to be positive,” reported Labor Commissioner James Neeley. “The state’s unemployment rate is trending downward, and we are experiencing slightly higher monthly job growth than the national average.”

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
April 2010 to May 2010

According to the Business Survey, Federal Government increased by 10,100 due to the hiring of temporary Census workers. Leisure and Hospitality; added 7,200 jobs and Professional and Business Services increased by 5,200. Major employment decreases occurred in Educational and Health Services, down by 3,800 and State Government Educational Services declined by 1,600 jobs.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
May 2009 to May 2010

Year-over-year increases occurred in Federal Government, up by 10,600; Administrative, Support, and Waste Services gained 9,800; and Retail Trade was up by 5,400. Year-over-year decreases occurred in Transportation and Warehousing, down by 7,200; Durable Goods Manufacturing lost 6,600; and Mining and Construction decreased by 6,500.