August 14, 2008

Ink Manufacturer to Build in Coffee County

 

Newell Rubbermaid announced that its Office Products group, the world's largest manufacturer of ink for writing instruments, and the Industrial Board of Coffee County have reached an agreement for the company to acquire a 60-acre site to build a new state-of-the-art ink manufacturing facility in Coffee County's Interstate Industrial Park in Manchester.

The new ink facility will represent a $12.5 million capital investment by Newell Rubbermaid for building and land improvements and equipment.  Design and testing of inks, ink manufacturing and storage of finished goods will be handled at the facility, which will supply the company's nearby writing instrument manufacturing facilities in Tennessee as well as its operations in Europe, Latin America and Asia. 

"For decades, Newell Rubbermaid has had a considerable presence in Middle and East Tennessee, where we manufacture well-known products like Sharpie markers and highlighters and other office products, and we are excited to be expanding our position in the community," said Howard Heckes, president of Newell Rubbermaid's Markers, Highlighters & Art Products global business unit. "By locating our new facility here, in close proximity to other Newell Rubbermaid Office Products operations, we are well positioned to maintain our sustainable competitive advantage as the world's largest manufacturer of ink for writing instruments."

"This announcement reflects the confidence that Newell Rubbermaid has in the Coffee County workforce, and I'm very pleased to see the company's continued investment in Tennessee," said Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen.  "This announcement speaks well of our hard work to make Tennessee competitive in the global marketplace and to create a pro-business environment in which companies can thrive."

Newell Rubbermaid currently employs more than 1,700 people in Tennessee.  The company's existing ink facility in Shelbyville has approximately 60 employees, and these employees are expected to transfer to the new location in Manchester. Additional jobs are expected to be added during the next three years. Newell Rubbermaid will break ground for the new ink manufacturing facility in November. The project is expected to be completed and the facility operational in December 2009. In the meantime, ink production will continue as usual at the company's Shelbyville facility.

Kisber To Speak At First Southern Auto Conf.

Commissioner Kisber has been invited to speak at this year's first ever Southern Automotive Conference in Huntsville, Ala. November 6-7. This conference marks the first-ever meeting of the automotive associations from Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi. The conference is expected to draw more than 300 attendees, including corporate consultants and economic development leaders from the entire Southeast. Kisber will speak on the growth of the automotive industry in the southeast region. Tennessee's Department of Economic and Community Development is a proud sponsor of this conference. Information of this conference can be found at www.aama.to/programs.asp#conference.

Governor's Conference Sessions Now Online

 

A complete list of breakout sessions for the 55th Annual Governor's Conference is now available online, showcasing the wide variety and practical nature of topics that will be discussed by the leading experts in fields like energy, entrepreneurship and recruitment.

A presentation by representatives from Google Earth on community mapping, practical advice for entrepreneurs and tips on questions asked by site selectors are just a few of the exciting offerings planned for the conference. Other topics will include the effects of the weakening dollar on foreign investment in Tennessee, making the most of your visit to Capital Hill, creating jobs through tourism promotion, effective water management, opportunities surrounding alternative energy and changes to Tennessee's business incentives.

Conference highlights will include a recognition ceremony for Three-Star and Main Street Communities that have achieved 2008 certification and addresses by FORTUNE Magazine Managing Editor Andy Serwer at the Commissioner's Luncheon Sept. 15 and Governor Phil Bredesen at the Governor's Luncheon Sept. 16.

Upcoming Governor's Conference Deadlines: The last day to reserve a room at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center and receive the discounted Governor's Conference rate is this Friday, August 15. The last day to apply for a GATE Award is Friday, August 22. To register for the conference, reserve hotel rooms, apply for the GATE Award and view session topics, visit the conference Web site.

Tennessee Quick Facts

Giles County was the birthplace of noted African American architect Moses McKissack, founder of McKissack and McKissack, one of the oldest African American architectural firms in the nation.

Source:
Tennessee Encyclopedia

Schedule Alert

There are no public events scheduled.

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

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News Briefs

Business Development

BERO

BERO Attends Veterans Biz Conference

 
Michelle Proctor, director of BERO, speaks to business owners about small business resources and doing business with the state government at Congressman Lincoln Davis's Veteran Business Conference


Community Development

Main Street


Cleveland Hosts Statewide Meeting

 
Pictured are representatives from 12 Tennessee Main Street Communities, along with ECD staff from around the state.

The Community of Cleveland played host to representatives from certified Tennessee Main Street Communities from across the state during the Tennessee Main Street Manager's Quarterly Meeting Aug. 6-7, 2008 in the Museum Center at 5ive Points in the downtown district. 

The group of community leaders exchanged downtown revitalization information and shared local success stories during the two-day meeting. Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland conducted a trolley tour of the community for the group, and other local leaders offered their support throughout the event.


Local Planning


FIRM Mapping Progress Continues

Preliminary new Flood Insurance Rate Maps will become effective for Lawrence County Jan. 2, 2009 and for Marion County Feb. 4, 2009, according to a recent announcement by FEMA. The Marion County map was the last 2005 study project to be assigned an effective date, and the Lawrence County map was the last 2006 study project to be assigned an effective date. Like all other communities receiving new FIRMs, Lawrence and Marion Counties will have six months to adopt the new maps in order to remain in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Local Planning Officials will guide each community through regulation compliancy requirements. For more information regarding mapping efforts throughout the state, contact Stanley Harrison at (423) 434-6476 or stanley.harrison@state.tn.us.


Grants and Loans


ECD Awards Energy Efficiency Loan

The Cocke County school system will begin saving roughly $102,000 every year on energy costs, thanks to a Local Government Energy Efficiency Loan from the Office of Program Management. The $500,000 loan will be applied toward the installation of an energy management system in 11 schools. Terry Ellis of Program Management presented the check to the Cocke County Board of Education July 30.


 

Recent News

Times Free Press: "VW Site, Building Talks Start"

Chattanooga officials are starting detailed talks this week with their Volkswagen counterparts, getting Enterprise South industrial park ready for the automaker's $1 billion assembly plant, officials said Tuesday.

As still more earthmoving and other equipment joins the more than two dozen pieces already at the 1,350-acre tract, local planners and VW associates are working on site and construction details.

"The scheduling and timing of those are really key," said Steve Leach, the city's public works administrator. "There will be a lot of design and engineering sessions. We're moving a lot of dirt. You want to make sure you get the dirt in the right place."

Mark Barnes, Volkswagen Group of America's chief operating officer, said VW has an ambitious schedule to build cars in Chattanooga by 2011, and everything needs to be in place to make that happen. Volkswagen officials say construction of the 1.9 million-square-foot facility could start as early as November.

WDEF: "Tennessee River Gorge Explorer Attracts Tourism, Despite Hard Economic Times"

No doubt tourism takes a hit when there's a slumping economy. But despite that fact, a new Chattanooga attraction keeps making waves among locals and visitors alike.

The Tennessee River Gorge Explorer opened about a month and a half ago. It offers a 90-minute tour of the river gorge and a glimpse at protected wildlife.

Thom Benson with the Tennessee Aquarium notes, "This is a unique boat in that it's the only high speed vessel of it's type operating in an inland water way in North America."

The 2 point 6 million dollar boat is among the "green"-ist options available.

Benson says, "They are taking data from these engines and they are designed to meet the latest EPA, tier 2 standards." Wamp adds, "I don't think you could be the Tennessee Aquarium and have the reputation they have globally for environmental sensitivity without having a boat like this one."
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