(NASHVILLE, TN), January 31, 2012 – Rutherford County’s legislative delegation, Senators Bill Ketron (R—Murfreesboro) and Jim Tracy (R—Shelbyville), and Representatives Joe Carr (R—Lascassas), Mike Sparks (R—Smyrna), Rick Womick (R—Rockvale), and Pat Marsh (R-Shelbyville), today praised Governor Bill Haslam for putting the proposed MTSU Science Building in the state’s 2012-2013 budget. The local legislative delegation has pushed for inclusion of the building project, including leading a group of key state leaders on a tour of the campus last year. Rep. Carr said the tour, and conversations with Governor Bill Haslam, Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey, Speaker of the House Beth Harwell (R—Nashville), Senate Finance Committee Chairman Randy McNally (R—Oak Ridge) and House Finance Committee Chairman Charles Sargent (R—Franklin) was a turning point in getting the project funded in this year’s budget.  Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess and Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg have also pushed for funding the project.

“We wanted to show key leaders in the House and Senate the need for this project first hand,” said Rep. Carr. “This and our conversations with Governor Haslam was the turning point in getting this project funded.”

“I am very pleased that this project has finally been included in the budget,” said Senator Ketron. “I also appreciate Mayor Burgess and Mayor Bragg for their unwavering support for this project.”

“This project has been a priority of mine for many years,” added Senator Tracy. “We thank Governor Haslam for finally seeing that it is built.”

Although the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) can make recommendations regarding projects, the Governor is responsible for inclusion in the budget. The General Assembly then is responsible for finalizing any proposed projects by passing it into law through approval of the appropriations bill.

“We have worked very diligently with the Governor, Speaker Harwell, Lt. Governor Ramsey and our Finance Chairmen to make sure that we finally see this project to fruition,” added Representative Sparks. “We look forward to seeing the results of this work.”

“This building is very important to our goal of increasing the number of graduates in Tennessee with science and math degrees,” added Representative Womick. “This project should help us obtain these goals. The inclusion of the project in this year’s budget and the support of key lawmakers pretty much ensure its passage in this year’s budget.”

“All of our delegation members have talked to key state officials about getting this project started,” added Rep. Marsh.  “We are all thrilled that we will finally have the opportunity to see this building become a reality on our MTSU campus.”

###

(MURFREESBORO, TN), January 23, 2012 –  “After careful consideration, I have decided not to enter the Congressional race for the new 4th District in Tennessee. 

I have grown up believing that elected office is still one of the best ways a person can contribute to our society; and service in the United States Congress is certainly the pinnacle of civic responsibility.  The most important step in launching any campaign, however, is to evaluate the impact it will have on your family.  My family is my inspiration and support.  My father, who was my best friend passed away 11 months ago.  I made a promise to him that I would take care of my mother, my family and the business that he started 43 years ago. 

Another factor which has significant weight in this decision is that my leadership position in the Tennessee Senate affords me the opportunity to positively impact the future of my district and our state.  It has taken us years, working together in the legislature, to move Tennessee forward in becoming one of the best states in the country to live and work.  I am honored to have played a role in these changes but feel my work is not done here.  I can be much more productive by being 1 of 33, instead of 1 of 435 and starting at the bottom. 

This decision-making process has been very beneficial.  Running for Congress has been a public service in which I have aspired since I was young.  Sometimes in life we discover that what we always thought we wanted, when weighed against other factors, is not the most important priority in your life.  Running for Congress is just that scenario for me. 

I will commit to join with Congressman Scott DesJarlais, or our Republican nominee, as we work for the betterment of our great State.” 

###

Senator Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) represents Senate District 13 in the Tennessee General Assembly which is currently comprised of Lincoln, Marshall, and Maury Counties, and part of Rutherford County.

(NASHVILLE, TN), January 13, 2012  --  “Every new position created makes a difference coming into our great state,” said Senator Ketron.  “Whether it is 1 or 100, it alls adds up in moving us forward economically.  I appreciate all the work done to help bring these jobs to our area.”

“This is extremely good news as we work to grow jobs in the Middle Tennessee area,” added Senator Tracy.  “I congratulate Topre America, our economic development team, Governor Haslam and our local officials who have partnered to make this happen.”

###
TOPRE AMERICA CORPORATION TO OPEN LOCATION IN SMYRNA NISSAN FACILITY
Automotive Supplier to Create 25 New Positions

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty, along with Rutherford County officials, today announced that Topre America Corporation will open a manufacturing operation in Nissan North America’s Smyrna facility. The new location represents a multi-million dollar investment and the creation of 25 jobs. 

“Topre America Corporation’s decision to locate an operation and create new jobs in Smyrna highlights why the automotive sector is identified as a key cluster in our Jobs4TN plan,” Haslam said. “Focusing on the advantages Tennessee has and leveraging its existing assets will help us on our way to making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”

 “We recognize that Tennessee has a competitive advantage in the automotive industry, and today’s announcement is a prime example of that,” Hagerty said. “Congratulations to Topre America Corporation, and welcome to our state.”

Founded in 1935 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Topre started out as a manufacturer of pressed components for automobile equipment. Since the company was inaugurated, it has been committed to world-class manufacturing and has gradually expanded the range of industries it serves to include refrigerating machinery, air-conditioning systems, electronic products and office automation equipment, in addition to automobile equipment.

In 2004, Topre launched its first overseas production and sales subsidiary, Topre America Corporation, in Cullman, Ala.  The Smyrna location will be the company’s second U.S. location.

“Tennessee is rapidly becoming a major hub for the automotive industry, making this state the obvious choice for our expansion,” Brad Pepper, site manager, Topre America Corporation, said. “We look forward to growing in Tennessee and becoming a part of the Smyrna community.”

“We are excited Topre America Corporation has decided to locate operations to Smyrna,” Tony Dover, Smyrna mayor, said. “This will provide our citizens the opportunity to have good quality jobs. Our community continues to appreciate the investment of Nissan North America and all of the suppliers that are located in our community.”

“The announcement of Topre America Corporation is another testimony that Rutherford County, Tenn. is a great place to do business,” Ernest Burgess, Rutherford County mayor, said. “We welcome Topre America Corporation as the newest addition to our community and thank them for their investment.”

Topre America Corporation will fill half of the open positions by the end of January and the remaining positions before August.  Interested applicants should contact Metro Industrial at 615-220-2414, located at 557 South Lowry Street in Smyrna.

About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tn.gov/ecd.

###

(NASHVILLE, TN), December 22, 2011  --  “This is tremendous news for both Rutherford County and all of Middle Tennessee.  I look forward to working with the Governor and our local officials in completing the legislative action on this matter in our 2012 General Assembly.  I am pleased that the State of Tennessee and Amazon could partner with us to showcase what a great place Tennessee and Rutherford County is to do business and raise a family.”

###

The text of the release from Governor Haslam is below:
Announce Amazon Will Build Two New Fulfillment Centers in Tennessee, Creating Over 1,300 Jobs / New Fulfillment Centers to be Located in Wilson and Rutherford Counties, Bringing $135 Million in New Investment to Tennessee
 
Nashville, TN – Dec. 22, 2011 – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced Amazon’s plans to open two new fulfillment centers in Tennessee, creating over 1,300 new jobs and $135 million in investment in the state.  Together with existing facilities in Wilson, Hamilton and Bradley Counties, Amazon will now be creating more than 3,300 jobs and more than $270 million in investment in Tennessee.
 
"This is exciting news for Middle Tennessee and the entire state as Amazon continues to grow and expand its presence here," Haslam said.  "We appreciate the company's significant investment and ongoing partnership to create and grow Tennessee jobs."
 
“We’re thrilled to create more than 1,300 additional jobs in Tennessee and are thankful to Governor Haslam and state, county and local leaders for their continued commitment to Amazon jobs and investment,” said Dave Clark, vice president, Amazon North American operations.  “We’re proud to call Tennessee home and look forward to serving our customers from these new facilities in Murfreesboro and Lebanon.”
 
As a growing member of the Tennessee community, Amazon also announced that it is donating $20,000 to the Books from Birth Foundation for its chapters in Wilson, Rutherford, Bradley and Hamilton counties – the locations of Amazon’s current and future fulfillment centers.  Books from Birth is a nonprofit organization committed to helping preschool children develop their love of learning and reading.
 
“Today is another great day in Murfreesboro,” said Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg. “I am so proud and excited that Amazon has chosen Murfreesboro as its site of choice for one of their newest facilities. Having Amazon create so many new jobs here will be a great boost to our economy, and will provide our citizens the opportunity to have good quality jobs with a well known, respected, growing company.”
 
“Having a household name like Amazon in Rutherford County just adds to our county’s portfolio of top corporate entities in our area,” said Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess. “With the national and global economies struggling to recover, this proves that Rutherford County is a destination for jobs and we wish Amazon great success in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County.”
 
 “On behalf of Lebanon, TN, I want to thank Amazon and their partners for their confidence and commitment to our city,” said Lebanon Mayor Philip Craighead.  “This would not have been possible without the cooperation of the City Commission and its many city of Lebanon staff members, along with the contributions and financial support from the State of Tennessee and the Tennessee Valley Authority.  We look forward to growing this new partnership for the benefit of our citizens, our city and for Amazon.”
 
“I’m pleased to see the city of Lebanon and Wilson County work together on such an important project and I look forward to welcoming Amazon and their operation to Wilson County,” said Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto.  “I want to thank the Wilson County Commission, the Industrial Development Bond Board and the office of the Joint Economic and Community Development Board of Wilson County for their support and efforts in bringing another internationally known corporation to the community.  A project of this nature only occurs when governments, the community and the company work together for the betterment of all.” 
 
Amazon’s new facilities are expected to be completed next fall.  Amazon Fulfillment Centers in Tennessee are operated by Amazon.com.dedc LLC.
###
 
About Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon's developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon's own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business. The new latest generation Kindle is the lightest, most compact Kindle ever and features the same 6-inch, most advanced electronic ink display that reads like real paper even in bright sunlight. Kindle Touch is a new addition to the Kindle family with an easy-to-use touch screen that makes it easier than ever to turn pages, search, shop, and take notes - still with all the benefits of the most advanced electronic ink display. Kindle Touch 3G is the top of the line e-reader and offers the same new design and features of Kindle Touch, with the unparalleled added convenience of free 3G. Kindle Fire is the Kindle for movies, TV shows, music, books, magazines, apps, games and web browsing with all the content, free storage in the Amazon Cloud, Whispersync, Amazon Silk (Amazon's new revolutionary cloud-accelerated web browser), vibrant color touch screen, and powerful dual-core processor.
 
Amazon and its affiliates operate websites, including www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.cn, www.amazon.it, and www.amazon.es. As used herein, "Amazon.com," "we," "our" and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.
 
Forward-Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to competition, management of growth, new products, services and technologies, potential fluctuations in operating results, international expansion, outcomes of legal proceedings and claims, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, inventory, government regulation and taxation, payments and fraud. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
 
 

(NASHVILLE, TN), December 20, 2011 -- As Tennesseans ring in the New Year at midnight on January 1, several new laws sponsored by Senator Bill Ketron (R-Murfreesboro) will be enacted that were passed during the 2011 legislative session.  Among new laws set to take effect is one protecting the integrity of the ballot box by requiring  voters to present valid photo identification when at the polls.  Ketron said the new law is designed to reduce voter fraud while providing exemptions for those voting absentee, overseas, in nursing homes and for the infirmed and indigent, who may not be able to obtain proper identification. 

Ketron also co-sponsored a new statute set to take effect as the new year begins to require private insurance plans to include coverage of hearing aids for children.  The new law, which Ketron spearheaded in the last General Assembly, requires that health insurance policies provide coverage of up to $1,000 per individual hearing aid per ear, every three years, for every child covered as a dependent by the policy holder.  He recently received an award from the Tennessee Disability Coalition for his efforts to pass the legislation.

“This is a much needed law,” said Ketron.  “This will make these devices more affordable so these children grow and learn.”

Ketron also joined Senator Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) in co-sponsoring a major E-Verify law which will go into effect January 1 to help ensure that new hires are in the state legally.  The new law calls for businesses with over five employees to obtain a copy of his or her driver’s license or utilize the E-Verify system.

E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration, allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees by entering their name and a social security number.  It is free to employers in all 50 states, including Tennessee where more than 4,000 businesses have voluntarily participated in the system. 

Ketron co-sponsored major legislation that will begin as the new year starts to implement a statewide electronic tracking system to curb meth production in the state.  The system, called NPLEx (National Precursor Log Exchange), will monitor and block illegal purchases of over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines containing pseudoephedrine (PSE), a key ingredient in methamphetamine production.

The new law requires that as of January 1, 2012, all pharmacies must use NPLEx, which exports the data to law enforcement.  NPLEx must have a stop sale mechanism in place by that time for potential purchasers over the allowable purchase limit and anyone on the meth offender registry. 

Finally, Ketron co-sponsored a law that will take effect January 1 to enhance the voting procedure for those serving in the military by ensuring Tennesseans abroad who do not receive their official ballot in time can participate in an election.   Tennessee ranks among the top states in the nation in the number of military personnel.  The new law requires that the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot is accepted for all elections in which a person is eligible to vote; and may be used for registration and as an absentee ballot request.

“I am very pleased that all of these bills will be enacted into law,” Ketron concluded.

###