Governor Awards More Than $150 000 in Job Training Grants to East Tennessee Companies

REPRESENTATIVE EDDIE YOKLEY COMMENDS THE GRANT AWARDS

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen and Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley have awarded more than $150,000 to four companies in Greene and Cocke counties. The four companies are John Deere Power Products, Greene County Bank, American Appliance Products, Inc., and Newport Precision, Inc. The grant amounts for each company are listed at the end of this release.

 

 

More than $3 million in Incumbent Worker Training Grants was awarded in fiscal year 2005-06 benefiting almost 15,000 Tennessee workers who retained their jobs and received skill upgrades.

“The Incumbent Worker Training Grants assist companies in staying competitive and increase the skills of their employees,” said Governor Bredesen. “The training grants are fundamental in assisting the growth of Tennessee’s economy.”

“I commend Governor Bredesen and Commissioner Neeley for awarding the Incumbent Worker grants to these four companies,” said Representative Eddie Yokley. “This will help keep Greene and Cocke County workers employed and help improve our economy.”

“I am proud to award this grant money to keep area workers on the job,” said Commissioner Neeley. “Not only will these companies benefit from the grants, but the communities of Green and Cocke counties will benefit as well.”

Walters State Community College played a key role in awarding the grants to the Greene and Cocke County Companies.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development administers the Incumbent Worker Training program.

The program has been structured to be flexible to meet the business’s training objectives . The business may use public, private, or its own in-house training provider based on the nature of the training.

The following criteria must be met to qualify for the Incumbent Worker Training Program. Employers must be in operation in Tennessee for at least one year prior to application date. Employers must have at least five full-time employees, demonstrate financial viability and be current on all state tax obligations. Funding priority is given to businesses whose grant proposals represent a significant layoff avoidance strategy and represent a significant upgrade of skills.

Senator Steve Sutherland also represents the area.

The following are the grant amounts for each company.

• John Deere Power Products, Greenville $50,000
• Greene County Bank, Greenville $41,192
• American Appliance Products, Inc., Newport $40,524
• Newport Precision, Inc., Newport $18,384