(NASHVILLE, TN), February 3, 2012  --  “I am very pleased that these jobs are coming to Hamblen County,” said Senator Steve Southerland (R-Morristown).  “I congratulate OTICS and all our state and local officials who helped secure these jobs.  We will continue to make job creation our top priority.”

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The text of the release from Governor Haslam is below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2012                                                                    Media Contact:  Shannon Sumrall, ECD
                                                                                                Office: (615) 253-4897
                                                                                                E-mail:  shannon.sumrall@tn.gov

OTICS USA, INC. TO EXPAND MORRISTOWN LOCATION
Automotive Parts Manufacturer to Invest $24.8 Million, Create 67 New Jobs in Hamblen County

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with representatives from OTICS USA, Inc. announced the company will expand its Morristown, Tenn. facility.  As a result of increased market demand, the automotive parts manufacturer will invest an additional $24.8 million and create 67 new manufacturing jobs.

"Established Tennessee companies such as OTICS USA, Inc. are the driving force behind all new job creation in Tennessee," Haslam said. “I appreciate the company's continued commitment to and investment in the Morristown community."

“There is a clear competitive advantage for the automotive industry in Tennessee, which is evident by OTICS USA, Inc.’s decision to expand in our state,” Hagerty said.  “Under Governor Haslam’s leadership, our department will continue to work to foster a business friendly environment that gives companies the confidence to invest and grow in Tennessee.”
OTICS USA, Inc. manufactures automotive parts for major corporations in the automotive industry.  The company’s Morristown facility is located at 5555 Interstate View Drive in the East Tennessee Progress Center. OTICS USA, Inc. is the first Japanese transplant company in the United States for the OTICS Corporation.  This expansion marks the company’s third expansion since its foundation in 2001.
“For over a decade, Morristown has been the perfect fit for OTICS Corporation’s first U.S. facility, OTICS USA, Inc.,” Charlotte Jennelle, general manager, general administration, OTICS USA, Inc., said.  “We look forward to continually growing in Hamblen County and to many more successful years in Tennessee.”

“We appreciate the continued investment by OTICS in their workforce and our community,” John Stroud, president, Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce, said.

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 12, 2012  --  “This is tremendous news for Greene County.  I am pleased that the State of Tennessee could partner with J & J Warehousing and our local leaders to secure these jobs.  I look forward to continuing to work with our economic development team to bring new and better paying jobs to our communities.”

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The text of the release from Governor Haslam is below:

J&J WAREHOUSING & STORAGE EXPANDS IN GREENEVILLE
37 New Jobs Created over Three Years, $600,000 Investment

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with company and local officials announced today that J&J Warehousing & Storage, Inc. will expand operations, creating 37 new jobs over the next three years.  The Greeneville, Tenn. company manufactures and assembles welded components for the automotive industry.

“When our existing Tennessee industries expand, they are paving the way for us to reach our goal of becoming the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs, and I applaud J&J Warehousing for their additional investment in Tennessee,” Haslam said.  “Existing industries are the backbone of our state’s economy and account for the vast majority of all jobs created in our great state.” 

“Working with our partners in Greene County, we are excited that J&J Warehousing’s expansion is becoming a reality,” Hagerty added. 

The expansion is a result of another Greeneville, Tenn. company outsourcing its welding operations to J&J Warehousing instead of choosing an out of state or country provider and keeping the jobs local. 

J&J President Jerry Fortner said, “We’re very pleased to be able to assist in this effort, and we really appreciate the state of Tennessee in making this partnership possible.  J&J now has 11 employees at the site and will be increasing the numbers as this partnership demands.”

“Realizing in discussions that there was a shortage of welders in the available workforce, we initiated meetings to address this critical shortfall,” said Greene County Partnership President/CEO Tom Ferguson.  “Discussions with J&J revealed that the company actually had the capabilities of solving the outsourcing problem.  Not only does this solution provide additional local jobs, it holds down costs for transportation of parts to sources outside of the area.”

“This is one of the true benefits of a strong economic development program,” said Greene County Mayor Alan Broyles.  “We’d like to thank J&J for making the investment to create these new high-paying jobs.  We appreciate the Greene County Partnership for its pivotal role in making this happen, and, of course, we extend our gratitude to the state to pull it all together.”

J&J, which has been in business since 2002, is located on the 11E Bypass in Greeneville. 

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), October 20, 2011  – State Senator Steve Southerland (R-Morristown) announced today that during the fiscal year 2011-2012 Hamblen County will receive approximately $109.655 million in state appropriations.  Also, Hamblen County will receive a portion of the federal funds included in Tennessee's $30.8 billion budget as adopted by the 107th General Assembly.

     Listed budget appropriations for Hamblen County in the following general categories are:  $40 million for education (kindergarten through 12th grade); $8 million in shared state tax collections; $37.1 million for health and social services; $5.1 million for justice and public safety; $2.55 million for recreation and resources development; $15 million for economic development and higher education and $1.5 million for state highway projects. 

     “We have almost a million dollar increase in total state dollars that will be coming into Hamblen County in the current budget year as compared to last year,“ said Senator Southerland.  “This increase comes at a time when the total state budget has decreased.”
 
     The state budget was reduced $1.2 billion from the 2010-11 budget, which is a decrease of 3.8 percent.

     “Overall, Hamblen County fared well in this budget year,” Southerland added.
    
     The county-by-county statistics are prepared by the Office of Legislative Budget Analysis, which works in concert with state finance officials in gathering the detailed information.

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NOTE TO MEDIA:  The full report can be found at:  http://www.capitol.tn.gov/joint/staff/budget-analysis/county-reports/counties11/Hamblen.pdf

(NASHVILLE, TN), September 30, 2011 – State Senator Steve Southerland (R- Morristown) has been named 2011 “Legislator of the Year” by the Tennessee Forestry Association (TFA).  The award was presented to Senator Southerland at the group’s annual meeting in Nashville this week in recognition of his efforts to maintain viable and sustainable forests in Tennessee. 

 “I am very honored to receive this award,” said Senator Southerland who is Chairman of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee. “I appreciate this recognition and am glad to partner with the Forestry Association in helping our forest industry grow and improve, while protecting the environment and contributing to the prosperity and quality of life in Tennessee.” 

The Tennessee Forestry Association has served as the voice of forestry in Tennessee for more than 50 years. TFA continues to work with state and national government agencies to promote a better understanding and appreciation of the forests of Tennessee through a diversity of public relations, government, and educational programs.  The TFA is responsible for over 77,000 jobs across the state.

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(NASHVILLE, TN), September 22, 2011 – State Senator Steve Southerland (R-Morristown) and Representative Jeremy Faison (R- Newport) announced today that Newport City Schools have been awarded $16,808 in a grant from Tennessee’s Energy Efficient Schools Initiative.  The grant will be used to install energy efficient HVAC equipment and lighting at Newport Grammar School. 

“I am pleased that Newport has access to grants that will improve energy efficiency in our schools,” said Senator Southerland. “This will assist in fostering a healthier and safe learning environment for our students, and I am glad to see that we are taking advantage of technology to do so.”

The General Assembly passed legislation in 2008 that implemented Tennessee’s Energy Efficient Schools Initiative. The grants were to be awarded to school districts to assist the schools in becoming more energy efficient, resulting lower operating costs and creating a better learning environment for Tennessee students.

"Families and businesses are struggling with the tough economy. This grant money will assist in improving energy efficiency, which in turn will save money in the future," Representative Faison added.

For more information about the Energy Efficient Schools Initiative, please visit www.tn.gov/eesi.

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