(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.”

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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.

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(NASHVILLE, TN), January 13, 2012  --  “I am very excited about adding new jobs in Bedford County,” said Senator Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville).  “I congratulate Century Mold, our local officials, our Economic and Community Development team, and Governor Haslam for their work in securing these jobs.  I look forward to continuing to work toward bringing new opportunities to our communities and our citizens.”

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The text of the release from Governor Haslam is below:

CENTURY MOLD TO EXPAND SHELBYVILLE LOCATION
Injection Molding Manufacturer to Create 58 New Jobs in Bedford County

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty today joined with representatives from Century Mold Co., Inc. to announce plans by the company to expand its Shelbyville facility located at 508 Blue Ribbon Parkway. The company will invest $4.2 million and create 58 manufacturing jobs.

“When an existing Tennessee company chooses to expand right here in our state, it reinforces the business friendly climate we are working hard to maintain and improve,” Haslam said. “I congratulate Century Mold Co., Inc. on its expansion in Shelbyville and thank them for the additional jobs they will create.”

“The automotive industry in Tennessee is steadily growing and thriving, and it’s exciting to see companies like Century Mold Co., Inc. prospering in our state.” Hagerty said.  “Our department will continue to work towards Governor Haslam’s goal of making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”

Established in 1978 and headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., Century Mold Co., Inc. is primarily an injection molding supplier to the OEM automotive and heavy truck industry. The company’s automotive experience has translated into new markets of consumer products, emerging energy, military and office furniture industries. By 1993, Century Mold Co., Inc. expanded its operation to Shelbyville, Tenn. The company now has five locations between the United States and Mexico.

“Shelbyville has been the perfect fit for Century’s Mold Co., Inc.’s manufacturing facility for nearly 20 years now,” Ron Ricotta, CEO, Century Mold Co., Inc., said.  “We thank state and local officials for making this expansion a reality and look forward to continual success in Bedford County.”

“We appreciate Century Mold’s decision to expand its facility here in Shelbyville and are very proud to have the company as a part of our community,” Wallace Cartwright, Shelbyville mayor, said.  “I feel this is just a portion of what we have to look forward to in 2012.”

 “This is exciting news for Bedford County,” Eugene Ray, Bedford County mayor, said.  “I am very pleased that Century Mold Co., Inc. is adding additional jobs to our community.  

"We are extremely pleased that Century Mold Co., Inc. picked Shelbyville for its expansion,” Ben Craig, president, Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce, said.  “This expansion is recognition of the outstanding employees at the Shelbyville facility, the excellent available workforce for new positions and the supportive business climate in our community." 
 
Interested applicants should visit Workforce Solutions’ Bedford County office at 301 North Main Street in Shelbyville.

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.

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“I will not be a candidate for Congress in 2012. I plan on running for re-election to the State Senate.” 

“I am excited about the new 14th State Senate District. I am honored to continue to represent the constituents of Rutherford, Bedford, and Moore Counties and I look forward to having the opportunity to represent new constituents in Lincoln and Marshall Counties. I am committed to continuing my work on state issues to make Tennessee a better place to work and live, especially in the areas of job creation, education and transportation."

“In making this decision, I do want to thank those who have called or sent notes regarding the congressional district.  I am very thankful and humbled for the tremendous support I have received throughout Middle Tennessee both in 2010 and now.”

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(NASHVILLE, TN), December 21, 2011— “We know that the classroom teacher is the most important factor in boosting student achievement.  Therefore, the teacher evaluation process must be the best system possible in order to ensure it is both fair and productive in increasing teacher effectiveness.  I appreciate Governor Haslam and Commissioner Huffman for continuing their efforts to make improvements to this process for the benefit of Tennessee teachers and students.”

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THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR IS AS FOLLOWS:

 HASLAM ANNOUNCES FORMAL REVIEW OF TEACHER EVALUATIONS

Calls upon independent organization and department to take a closer look

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced that there will be both an external and internal review of the new teacher evaluation system.

He has charged the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) with conducting an independent, third-party evaluation and is asking the state Department of Education to formalize a review process, which the department has already begun.

Sen. Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) and Rep. John Forgety (R-Athens) are sponsors of a resolution that outlines the review process for the department, which the governor said the administration supports.

“There has been a lot of discussion about teacher evaluations over the past several months,” Haslam said. “As we continue to have conversations with educators, I see a lot of value in reviewing the process both from an external and internal perspective and to compare observation results with student achievement data at the end of the year.

“These evaluations were a critical piece of the Race to the Top initiative, and it is important for Tennessee to maintain strong accountability measures as we build upon our momentum to improve education. As we work through this first year of implementation, I do not support legislative changes during this session. It is appropriate to give the process time to work and to learn more about what changes might be necessary.”

Haslam was joined for the announcement in the Old Supreme Court Chamber of the Capitol by Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman, SCORE president and CEO Jamie Woodson, and key legislators including Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville), House Speaker Beth Harwell (R-Nashville), Sen. Delores Gresham (R-Somerville), chairman of the Senate Education Committee, Rep. Richard Montgomery (R-Sevierville), chairman of the House Education Committee and Tracy and Forgety, sponsors of the resolution.

SCORE’s report will be due to the state Board of Education and Department of Education on June 1, 2012.

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(NASHVILLE, TN), December 20, 2011 – Two key laws sponsored by Senator Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) and passed by the General Assembly will take effect January 1 as the new year begins.   One measure ensures that those working in Tennessee are in the state legally, while the other, which was co-sponsored by Tracy, curbs the abuse of prescription drugs at pain clinics in Tennessee. 

"Both of these news laws will have a positive impact on Tennessee,” said Senator Tracy. “The new E-Verify law has been successful in other states to help ensure that those working in Tennessee are here legally.  The pain clinic law curbs the proliferation of unscrupulous operators of pain clinics, often referred to as “pill mills, a problem which has garnered much attention in our area lately.” 

The E-Verify law requires businesses with over five employees to obtain a copy of a new employee’s driver’s license or utilize the E-Verify system, but provides a safe harbor for employers who use E-Verify if the worker is later found to be in the country illegally.  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.  The system is 97.4 percent accurate. 

The new law to address prescription drug abuse requires the Department of Health, in concert with the doctors, nurses and physician assistants, to establish rules to govern the operation of clinics, including personnel, patient records, data collection and reporting, inspections, health and safety requirement and patient billing.  Under the new law, the Department may deny a certificate to anyone who has committed a felony or a misdemeanor related to the distribution of illegal prescription drugs or a controlled substance.  In addition, the law prescribes that the boards of medical examiners, osteopathic examination and nursing, as well as the committee on physician assistants, will regulate their own members who practice in a pain clinic, including authority to investigate complaints.  The legislation also requires the presence of a medical doctor licensed to practice in Tennessee on site at least 20 percent of the clinic's weekly total number of operating hours.  Cash transactions are banned under the bill, except for insurance co-pays, coinsurance or deductibles, creating a paper trail on every transaction.

“Tennessee ranks second in the nation in regard to the overutilization of prescription pain medications, having exceeded the national average for controlled substance use for many years,” said Tracy.  “I am very pleased to see both of these bills enacted into law.”

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