April 17, 2008 |
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Projects Creating 165 Jobs Break Ground
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| Governor Phil Bredesen (center left) and Commissioner Matt Kisber (center right) joined company and local officials for the ground breaking. |
Three job creation projects across the state reached milestones this week, and the result will be 165 new jobs for Tennesseans by early 2009. Toyota supplier Arvin Sango, broke ground on a new facility Monday, and pharmaceutical manufacturer Starplex Scientific and magnetic wire producer Sam Dong each opened new facilities Friday and Tuesday, respectively.
Arvin Sango will build exhaust systems for the Toyota Highlander SUV model slated for production at Toyota's newest assembly plant in northern Mississippi, currently under construction.
"Tennessee lies at the heart of a growing southern automotive industry," said Governor Bredesen. "Toyota and its supply chain companies represent a significant source of good paying jobs for Tennesseans. We're pleased to add Arvin Sango to the list of highly respected companies in Tennessee's automotive manufacturing sector."
| The new Starplex Scientific facility is the company's first in the U.S. |
Slated to open in Henderson, Tenn. in early 2009, the plant is a $10 million investment for the company and is anticipated to create 40 new jobs. This is the fourth North American plant for the company, with the other facilities being located in Madison, Ind.; Merced, Calif.; Campbellsburg, Ky.
Starplex Scientific, a Toronto-based pharmaceutical plastics company, located its first U.S. operation in the Cleveland/Bradley Industrial Park. The company cut the ribbon on a 57,000-square-foot facility on a 12-acre site and will hire 25 associates in the first year of operation.
Sam Dong held a grand opening for their 80,000-square-foot plant in Rogersville, Tenn. The plant, which began production in March currently employs 60 people, and company executives say the facility will add up to 40 additional jobs as it becomes fully operational. The event marks the South Korean company's first location outside that country.
| Commissioner Kisber presents Sam Dong CEO Ee Joo Lee with a Tennessee State Flag. |
"We're pleased to welcome Sam Dong to Tennessee and to the U.S.," Commissioner Kisber said. "Tennessee's history of strength in the manufacturing sector makes Sam Dong a great fit for our local economy. The governor and I appreciate their investment in the people of our state and we look forward to working with the company to expand its business."
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development works routinely with new and existing businesses to establish and expand their presence in the state. For more information, visit www.tnecd.gov.
| Governor Phil Bredesen, left, and Commissioner Matt Kisber at the McNairy County Roundtable Discussion Monday. |
Governor Phil Bredesen and ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber continued their ongoing dialogue with business leaders across the state as part of the Governor's Rural Opportunity Initiative, a program aimed at spurring economic growth in rural communities. They visited McNairy County, Tenn. to attend a roundtable discussion with business and community leaders on Monday.
The Governor and Commissioner Kisber were also joined by State Representative Randy Rinks, who hosted the discussion, and others. The visit was the latest in a series of discussions held in rural communities throughout the state. Earlier stops have been in Ripley, Martin, Fayetteville and Rockwood.
Governor Bredesen outlined his strategy for increased economic development activities in rural areas at the Governor's Conference on Economic and Community Development in September 2007. Programs such as the Rural Opportunity Initiative, the Rural Opportunity Fund and Orange Carpet Tours were highlighted. The Tennessee Tool Kit, a detailed summary of all economic development initiatives, is available for download at www.tnecd.gov.
The U.S. Commercial Service has created a new fee schedule for U.S. companies seeking assistance in planning business development trips to foreign countries. Their new system will charge a single worldwide fee for each service they offer, replacing their current four-band fee system. CS will also offer first-time exporters a discount as an incentive to try the services.
The new system will also charge small- and medium-sized companies less for CS services than large corporations. Finally, the system will adjust fees to full cost recovery levels for large companies.
The new fee schedule will take effect May 1, 2008. Events or services for which a user fee has already been set, such as a trade mission that is already in recruitment, are exempt from the new fee model.
Montgomery County was home to the oldest U.S. Supreme Court Justice ever to be appointed, Horace H. Lurton, who was appointed by Republican President William Howard Taft. In addition to his age, Lurton's standing as a Southern Democrat caused quite a stir.
April 18
Nashville
Commissioner Kisber will attend the annual Japan America Society Meeting and Reception at 4:30 p.m.
To request ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber to speak or attend an event,
please contact Jennifer Alward at (615) 253-1852 or jennifer.alward@state.tn.us
We invite your thoughts on the ECD Hot Sheet. Please click here to contact ECD Communications with any questions, concerns or suggestions you may have.
Applications are now being taken to exhibit in the JETRO ZONE at the Japan Analytical Instrument Manufacturers Association Show September 3-5 in Japan. Businesses looking to expand into the Japanese market are invited to attend and showcase their products before an expected audience of 22,000 people. The Japan External Trade Organization will help up to 15 companies bear the cost of exhibiting, including airfare, accommodations and interpreting services.
Click here for an application. The deadline to apply is April 24. For more information, contact the Tennessee JETRO Office at (615) 741-4815 or kazumi.iino@state.tn.us.
BERO sponsored and participated in the 10th Annual African American Leadership Conference Tuesday at the West Tennessee Center for Agriculture Research in Jackson. Hosted by the WestStar Leadership Program, the conference covered various topics on education, health, personal finances, economic development and entrepreneurship. This year's program also featured the first awards program for African American leaders - both emerging and experienced - in the areas of business and community.
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development was also a sponsor of the conference.
BERO is partnering with the Knox County Purchasing Supplier Diversity Program to host the first Knoxville Small Business Expo April 22 in celebration of National Small Business Week. The event will give small business owners the opportunity to discuss financing needs one-on-one with lenders. Business owners will also be able to speak with resource partners, procurement agencies and staff from the Small Business Administration. Session topics will include working capital loans, rural loans, export working capital loans, government contracting and surety bond financing.
The expo will be from 12-7 p.m. at the Knox County Health Department, located at 140 Dameron Avenue in Knoxville. There is no charge for the event. For more information, call (865) 215-5754 or (615) 736-7427.
The Cannon County Historic Chamber of Commerce's Carolyn Motley has invited BERO to an informal talk about small business on their early morning radio program on 1540 WBRY. Listen in at 1540 am WBRY at 7:45 am on Thursday, April 24.
Ronald Wade, BERO Upper East Tennessee Specialist, will be providing information to entrepreneurs and small businesses at the April 25 Anderson County Chamber of Commerce "Let's Do Business" Expo. The Expo will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Clinton Community Center, which is located at 101 S. Hicks Street. Admission is free. Wade's presentation begins at 11 a.m.
The Memphis Black Business Expo and Showcase will be held Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis. The Expo is designed to promote economic growth and the development of African American small businesses and enterprises throughout Memphis. The "Experience" provides an environment for African American-owned businesses to gain exposure and increase revenue by presenting their products and services to potential clients in a face-to-face setting.
The event will include a host of entrepreneurial workshops for youth, prospective and established small business owners, as well as an exhibition showcasing African American vendors.
Sharon Taylor McKinney, BERO West Tennessee Specialist, will staff an exhibit at the Expo featuring information on state services available to African American entrepreneurs.
The convention center is located at 255 Main Street in Memphis. Admission is free. For more information, go to www.memphisblackbusinessexpo.com or call (901) 949-2679 or (901) 626-3994.
Save the dates for the upcoming workshops in Clarksville, Cookeville and Chattanooga on how to do business with the government. Attendees will learn valuable tools and insights to enable them to more successfully work with federal, state and local governments and agencies.
WHAT: Doing Business with Federal, State and Local Governments
WHEN: April 22, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. with a Federal Procurement Session from 2-3 p.m.
WHERE: Wingate Inn, 251 Holiday Dr, Clarksville, Tenn.
WHO: Small business, woman-owned, minority-owned and rural businesses interested in working with the government.
The workshop is free of charge, but reservations are required and seating is limited. To register contact Stacy or Katie at 931-221-7816. For more information click here.
WHAT: Doing Business with Federal, State and Local Governments
WHEN: May 6, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
WHERE: Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, One West First Street, Cookeville, Tenn.
WHO: Small business, woman-owned, minority-owned and rural businesses interested in working with the government.
The workshop is free of charge, but reservations are required. To register contact the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce at 931-526-2211.
WHAT: Doing Business with Federal/State/Local Governments
WHEN: May 22, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
WHERE: DRC (Development Resource Center) at 1250 Market Street, Chattanooga, Tenn.
WHO: Small businesses, woman- owned, minority-owned and rural businesses interested in working with the government.
The Tennessee Leadership Center is offering the second annual Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course May 12-16, 2008 for community leaders and local, state and federal economic development professionals. Topics for this year's course will include global trends, community development and process and practice of economic development.
The course is accredited by the International Economic Development Council and can be applied toward certification as a professional economic developer. Registration is $525 through April 18 and $595 from April 18 to May 2. Scholarships for tuition and hotel costs will be available. For more information about scholarships, contact Michelle Williams at Michelle.Williams@state.tn.us.
To view the pdf brochure and registration form, click here. Online registration is currently available. To register click here and click on "TBEDC register online" on the upper right of the page.
During the month of April, Local Planning conducts discussions with its contract planning commissions to review the previous year's work program and begin to schedule major work items for the coming fiscal year. As part of its contract services, Local Planning prepares a written assessment of progress made toward achieving each planning goal.
There is also a discussion of immediate and future planning needs that will become the Program Design for the coming year, beginning July 1. This annual discussion is an opportunity to take stock of planning activities and new or altered community priorities and to align the work of the planning commission with each city or county's economic and community development goals.
These Program Designs help organize the planning program for communities and also for the planning staff and serve to help the commission think ahead and see its work in the context of larger community needs. While they can be amended upon agreement by the planning commission and planning staff, Local Planning works hard to make these documents relevant so that the work program is valid throughout the year.
Local Planning is a proud partner with well over 200 local governments in Tennessee, and is committed to sound, sustainable growth through a strong community planning program that has solid local support.
For more information on Local Planning's services, please contact Tim Roach at Tim.Roach@state.tn.us or (615) 741-2211.
Governor Phil Bredesen has recommended four projects to the Delta Regional Authority for funding in 2008. The DRA must still request and review applications for each of the projects before granting the loans. The projects are:
Gleason Sewer System--$173,300
Bethel Springs Sewer System--$259,822
Sharon Water System--$199,522
Henry County Training Program-$200,000
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State Gazette:
"Plant Shifting Jobs, Operation to Newbern" |
Commercial Appeal: "Delta + NWA: $17.7 billion airline merger will maintain hub in Memphis" Northwest and Delta announced their long-awaited merger late Monday, a combined enterprise worth $17.7 billion that from day one will serve 390 destinations in 67 countries. |