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.

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.

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.”

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

Gallup Daily tracking finds that 20.3% of the U.S. workforce was underemployed in March — a slight uptick from the relatively flat January and February numbers.

Read the rest of the article via Underemployment Rises to 20.3% in March.

Don’t miss this GREAT opportunity for job seekers!

NASHVILLE - Construction season has started, and the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex is looking for workers they need at the upcoming Construction Industry Job Fair. This great opportunity will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2010, from 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m. at the Administration Building at 500 College Street in Spencer, Tennessee. The event is sponsored by the Van Buren County Mayor’s Office and the Tennessee Career Center at Crossville.

Applicants must have verifiable and recent experience in industrial and commercial building projects. Jobs available include the following:

-Concrete Worker (Footings / Forms / Finisher)         -Mechanical / HVAC Installer
-Sheet Metal Worker (Fabricator / Welder)                -Journeyman Plumbers / Helpers

-Commercial Plumber / Pipe Welder                         -Construction Carpenter / Helpers
-Journeyman Electrician / Helper                              -Heavy Construction Laborers

“We’re pleased to assist in finding applicants for the Bledsoe Correctional Complex,” said Commissioner James Neeley. “These are jobs that would appeal to all kinds of individuals in the construction industry.”

Bledsoe County Mayor Gregg Ridley said, “the prison expansion is such an opportunity for job seekers to work here at home when so many people have lost their employment.”

County Mayor Kelly Dishman added, “it’s good for the county and great for those construction workers who have been looking for work in our area. We encourage everyone with experience in this field to come and apply for these jobs.”

All applicants must bring two forms of identification with one being a picture ID. It is necessary to bring a list of references and a resume. Applications and other job related paperwork will be filled out during the job fair.

For more information on the jobs fair please contact James C. Perry, Manager, Tennessee Career Center at Crossville (931) 484-8614, [email protected].

Volkswagen’s Chattanooga operations have received more than 65,000 applications for its local jobs, including 35,000 for production slots.

“We are overwhelmed by the response and we are very satisfied with the result. It gives us the confidence that we will be able to hire all the capable and flexible people we need to build our cars safely and with the highest quality,” said Hans-Herbert Jagla, executive vice president of human resources for VW’s Chattanooga operations.

Read more via Chattanooga Times Free Press | Chattanooga: 65,000 applications filed for VW jobs.

Permanent closures to reduce IP’s North American capacity by 2.1 million tons

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Oct. 22, 2009 – International Paper (NYSE: IP) today announced plans to close its paper mill and associated operations in Franklin, Va., and its containerboard mills in Pineville, La., and Albany, Ore. The company also announced it would permanently shut down the previously idled No. 3 machine at its Valliant, Okla., containerboard mill. The Valliant Mill’s other two machines will continue to operate. These permanent shutdowns will reduce the company’s North American paper and board capacity by 2.1 million tons.

“We recognize these are very difficult decisions affecting our employees, their families and the communities surrounding these mills,” said Chairman and CEO John Faraci. “We have concluded that we have excess capacity in our North American paper and packaging businesses, and these decisions will better match our supply with our expected customer demand.”

Since the onset of the global recession, the decline in demand for International Paper’s uncoated freesheet in North America has accelerated, and consequently the company has decided to further reduce its uncoated freesheet capacity.

In its containerboard and coated paperboard businesses, International Paper expects demand to resume growth as the economy rebounds. However, the company’s demand is not expected to return to 2008 levels in the near future. Therefore, permanent IP capacity closures are necessary.

The closures, which will impact about 1,600 employees, will result in permanent North American capacity reductions as follows:

via International Paper to Shut Down Three Mills

Dandridge, TN will get 150 new jobs thanks to the efforts of city, county and state officials.  While these jobs are closer to Sullivan County, we have yet to hear anything about new jobs for Sullivan County.  Another missed opportunity for Sullivan County!

New Manufacturing Facility Creates 150 Jobs

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber along with BJS North America East, Inc., a Swedish furniture manufacturer specializing primarily in bedroom accessories, announced today the grand opening of a new manufacturing facility in Dandridge, Tenn. This move brings a $6-8 million investment to Dandridge, creating approximately 150 jobs.

“Governor Bredesen and I welcome BJS North America East to the Volunteer State,” Commissioner Kisber said. “We’ve worked hard to create a business friendly climate in Tennessee, and we are grateful for BJS North America East’s investment in our citizens and state.”

The company will celebrate the opening of the new facility with a ceremony and ribbon cutting on Friday, Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. at 1000 Industrial Park Road in Dandridge. In addition to the ribbon cutting, BJS will also be celebrating the production of the one millionth piece of furniture for Swedish furniture company IKEA. Local Jefferson County community leaders and several Swedish dignitaries will be in attendance at the ceremony.

With the help of city, county and state officials, the principles of BJS, Pär Lidåker and Kaj Johansson, have partnered with Klote International Corporation official Carl-Gösta Torstensson to bring this facility to Dandridge. The new manufacturing facility located in the Dandridge Industrial Park contains 95,000 square feet of production, warehouse and office space. Continue reading “BJS North America East Celebrates Grand Opening in Jefferson County” »