Study to help local counties reach its economic potential

 

July 5, 2009 - COOKEVILLE, Tenn.—USDA Rural Development Area Director Joe Woody today joined Putnam County Chamber President George Halford to announce a federal investment of $25,000 to help in business recruitment and expansion with a labor availability study assessing the strengths and needs of the area work force. The announcement was made at the Chamber offices.

 

"Putnam, Overton and White Counties are on the move. And strengthening the quality of the workforce improves the ability of our businesses to compete in the world market," said Woody. "This project will help promote those areas where our workforce excels and pinpoint the areas where investing additional resources can have the greatest positive impact."

 

Wadley Donovan GrowthTech, LLC of Springfield, New Jersey will be conducting the research and expects to complete the report in about three months after the study begins. The findings will be made available to civic and business leaders, educators and others involved in economic development in Putnam, Overton and White Counties. The study will provide a better understanding of the labor pool available now and identify the training resources needed to keep the workforce and area businesses competitive. The detailed analysis will also help the county better compete for new jobs and encourage business expansion in those counties.

 

"A key ingredient in a region's long-term economic development success is the development of a qualified, skilled workforce that performs twenty-first century jobs for both prospective and existing industries," said Halford. "The workforce development study, once completed, will give our region's public and private sector leadership a snapshot of our present capabilities, identify gaps, and give us a roadmap for future improvement."

 

The study is part of the Highlands Initiative, a regional economic development strategy being implemented by the Overton, Putnam and White County Chambers. Halford said "members of the Highlands Initiative partnership appreciate the support of Rural Development and the Upper Cumberland Development District."

 

Rural Development’s rural business enterprise grant program provides assistance to public or not-for-profit entities to support community economic development programs that assist small businesses in developing local business infrastructure, providing job training, conducting feasibility studies and providing technical assistance to businesses and community leaders.

 

Other local leaders at the event included Rep. Bart Gordon's representative Billy Smith, Tennessee Technological University President Bob Bell, Cookeville Mayor Sam Sallee, Overton County Mayor Ken Copeland, Baxter Mayor Jeff Wilhite, UCDD Executive Director Wendy Askins, Putnam County Chamber Economic Development Vice President Lillian Hartgrove, White County Chamber President Wallace Austin and RD staff Jimmy Allen and Alice Wills.

 

USDA Rural Development invests in rural communities through homeownership, community and business development programs. Last year Rural Development assisted more than 678,000 Tennessee families and businesses with more than $435 million in financial assistance through loans, loan guarantees and grants.

 

For more information on Rural Development programs available in Putnam, Overton and White Counties contact the Rural Development Area Office in Cookeville 931-528-6539 ext. 2, toll free at (800) 342-3149 ext. 1493 or online at www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn.

 

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