Economic Development report lists targeted industries and workforce development for Cumberland County

Economic development consultant Younger Associates has presented their report to the chamber of commerce and the community including targeted industry and workforce analysis as the community looks work toward bringing in more jobs.

The funds for the study came from the city, county and donations to the chamber specifically for the project from businesses and supporters in the community. The report seeks to position the area as an attractive place for businesses location and expansion by leveraging the I-40 location and to establish the state and capacity of the workforce and what workforce development strategies are needed.

The report indicates the best bets for the area to try and recruit are manufacturing business in the categories of fabricated metal manufacturing, electrical equipment component manufacturing and a mid to long range target of motor vehicle manufacturing of parts and components. Additional targets are wood product manufacturing and non-metallic mineral product manufacturing.

Advantages to Cumberland County's location for industry and business locations include proximity to U.S. markets and population centers located within a one-day truck delivery of approximately 70% of major markets. Other reasons include

• Proximity to Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga for larger metropolitan amenities and access to specialized good, services and commercial air service
• Located on Interstate 40 and U.S. 127; I-40 visibility and access is excellent
• Outstanding natural beauty of the Crossville-Cumberland with numerous outdoor recreational opportunities • Access to higher education including three TCATs within the labor shed
• Effective collaboration among local leadership, particularly among the city and county mayors and the chamber
• Success in attracting grant funding to develop industrial site development
• Excellent availability of sites under preparation using local and grant funds, and potential new sites that can be added to the inventory for business and industrial development

The report also outlines other benefits the community can use to its advantage in recruiting business here:

• Community as a whole has a pro-business attitude
• Good community support for industry-focused workforce development, particularly with the Crossville TCAT, County School System and Horizon Initiative Participants
• Presence of an active business incubator
• Very active arts community
• Downtown area with huge potential for development with great building stock and a good existing mix of retail and services
• Ability to attract tourism and retirement is a good companion for developing amenities that attract other business and industry, and potentially new working age residents

The reasons for the selection of the business targets include that similar businesses are already represented in the economy, the jobs have an average annual wage of greater then $50,000 and a projected national 5 year growth rate of 10 percent. Additionally, the community talent pipeline can supply those trained in technology and engineering to these industries, sites exist for the new industry locations and the transportation infrastructure is available to bring in raw materials in and ship finished product out.

News report sponsored by Park Place Motors

The report indicates tourism is another target and recommends the development of natural attractions, sporting attractions, a conference center hotel, and crossovers with retiree and worker/talent attraction. The report describes downtown development as an opportunity to create a vibrant center to increase enjoyment for local residents and help attract new residents. The report praises downtown for its attractive building stock, uncommon mix of retail, historical cultural assets and an art community.

The report also ties the areas age demographic to the expected growth in medical services needed by the community.

One issue that the Chamber wanted researched was the available work force and Younger and Associates surveyed 767 individuals about their employment and other information. The results show a sizable outflow of workers to Putnam County but not to one specific industry but a variety of reasons. Almost 18 percent of employees also have a second job and a majority of those second jobs are self employment.

The results show only 25.9 percent of those currently employed are interested in training in new job skills, a number smaller then in other areas. Of those surveyed who were unemployed only 58 percent were interested in job training and that number was also lower then other areas. Those that were interested in training were interested in computer technology and management HR.

Area retirees were also surveyed and 25 percent said they would be willing to help recruit their former employer to relocate to the area and 25 percent would also be willing to mentor and help educate students about career paths.

The report indicates a hidden labor supply that would work full-time includes unemployed, part-time wanting full-time, underemployed and recent post secondary graduates with a total of 38,577 people. Another 16,398 are interested in part-time including retirees interested in working.

Other recommendations listed include continue developing existing industrial sites and implement plans to use recently awarded grant funds to improve infrastructure. The community should also continue to option or acquire land and buildings needed to support major business expansions.

Additionally the report recommends promoting information to employees and unemployed that training gives potential for advancement and promotes the availability, ease of access and importance of training to work to change the mindset of the employees not interested in any training.

To increase the workforce, the reports suggests sending out information to potential retirees to :bring the whole family” when they move.     

Chamber of Commerce Workforce Study interviews coming April 6 through 8

The Crossville/Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce comprehensive analysis of the local workforce in the 10 county labor market is underway and local residents and business are being asked to help.

“The project will position our region to compete in the global economy for the best economic development opportunities and jobs,” said Brad Allamong, president/CEO of the Chamber. In the short term this data will assist existing businesses in finding qualified available. It will also help workforce agencies match workers with jobs and training programs. Long-term, this project will provide planning data to prepare the workforce for the new economy, which requires higher skills.

This study will include a labor supply survey, to be conducted among working-age people via brief personal interviews at numerous local sites. “To achieve the greatest level of success we need the help of individuals in the community,” explained Allamong. “We ask people to stop and talk to our surveyors when they are in the area.”

Survey teams will be in various locations in Cumberland County Thursday April 6 through Saturday April 8 conducting brief in-person interviews with area residents. The survey only takes a couple of minutes to complete but gathers very important information about workers and job skills available in the region. Names are not collected and survey responses are anonymous.

Younger and Associates, a Jackson Tennessee economic development research firm is conducting the study. For more information about the study or the survey, contact the Chamber at (931) 484-8444.

Chamber's Targeted Industry Analysis and local workforce analysis underway by Memphis Firm Younger Assoc.

Work is getting underway on the targeted industry study and workforce analysis both commissioned by the Chamber of Commerce as part of the Horizon Initiative plan.

The Chamber raised over $120,000 in order to receive $40,000 from each of the city and county governments as part of the plans and study to improve the local area's chance at bringing in additional jobs.

Sharon Young, left and Lana Suites, right of Younger Associates

Sharon Younger, president of Younger & Associates of Memphis heads the firm hired to do the studies and spent some time with local media to explain what they will be doing and how they will be doing it. Younger was visiting Crossville to look at the area and meet with stakeholders for the study including elected officials, chamber members and education leaders. In addition to Younger, the firm's research director Lana Suites was also part of the visiting team.

The firm will be making additional community visits and reports with the chamber and stakeholders including gathering information for an in depth study of the local workforce, their education and skill levels, barriers to employment, whether they are adequately or under employed and other information of interest to potential employers looking at Crossville.

One of the issues facing the community in attracting new companies is the available work force and their level of education. The firm will be interviewing a statistically valid sample of the population and these interviews will take place typically where a wide variety of the population goes such as shopping locations. These surveys are expected to take place in early April. Along with the work in the community, the firm will be using data from local state and federal data sources as well as other information in order to tie all the information together.

A bit later on in the process, the firm will return to meet with employers to ask them what they're needs are as well as what the capacity of the local education components to see if they have the necessary programs and capacity for what the employers say they are seeking.

Younger explained that the firm has already looked at the area and how employees travel from one county to another and the commute time. One interesting bit of information showed that even though many workers from surrounding counties traveled into Cumberland County there were also a number of workers who traveled out of Cumberland County to work. According to Younger, that information shows that if there were adequate jobs locally there is a group of the workforce that could take those jobs.

She said she had a positive impression of the community including the downtown and industrial area, both things that companies look for.   

2017 Tennessee Women’s Bowling Championship Tournament starts Saturday.

This Saturday, March 4th, the  2017 Tennessee Women’s Championship Tournament (the State Women’s Tournament) will begin here in Crossville at Plateau Lanes. This will be the third and final tournament of three state-wide tournaments that Plateau Lanes secured in 2016 and this year. The 2016 Women’s Senior Singles and 2016 Women’s Queens Tournaments were held last fall; but, the event starting this weekend will run for four consecutive weekends through March. Close to 200 bowlers/guests could make their way to the Plateau for each of the coming four Saturdays/Sundays, which should find more stays in our hotels, restaurant business and mini-shopping trips when the ladies aren’t scheduled to be at the lanes.

The Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce  committed $2,000 to sweeten the pot for the three tournament prize funds and lure the tournaments to Crossville. Chamber President, Brad Allamong noted, “If you just stop and think about the impact on our community from a four person bowling team coming from, let’s say Memphis, consider what we would see from 50 bowling teams might add to our local economy for each of the next four weekends. Granted, not every team will have a two-night overnight stay, but this means a number of meals, gas for the trip home and other purchases-all putting more tax back into the local economy.”

Members of the Cumberland County Bowling Association will be on-hand to greet the ladies as they check-in for one of three scheduled “shifts” each day of the weekend. Bowlers bowl team event on Sunday and their doubles/singles event on Saturdays of the 2-day event. Plateau Lanes has made significant investments to make needed improvements and the bowling alley has never looked better!

Check out Plateau Lanes website.

Chamber chooses consultant for Target Industry Analysis and Workforce Development Strategy.

The Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce has selected Younger Associates of Jackson, Tennessee to consult on the completion of a target industry analysis and workforce development strategy for Cumberland County. The work will begin on February 22nd and is anticipated to wrap up in early May with a presentation of findings.

Chamber of Commerce

An RFP was created in mid-November with responses due by mid-December from companies who are in the business of assisting communities with such studies and six proposals were received. After preliminary scoring of the proposals, video conferences were held with five companies and the presentation of Younger Associates was preferred by a strong majority of those who had been involved in some aspect of the selection process. The bottom line to the RFP came down to two primary questions:

1.       Since Cumberland County has an excellent location (Interstate 40 cuts through the County), how can we position ourselves to be attractive to small-medium industrial interests and what companies (clusters) might find Cumberland County an attractive location for future expansion, and

2.       What workforce development strategy should we follow to not only help us in attraction of new investment; but, serve the current needs of existing industry?

“One of the attractive features to Younger Associates approach was their analysis of the workforce and drawing conclusions from that information,” noted Chamber President, Brad Allamong. “Their proposal included final report presentations to TECD and TVA, was within budget, included an additional 80 hours of consultation beyond the end of the project and very importantly was from a company who is based in Tennessee and aware of similar Tennessee challenges in meeting workforce demands.”

Some of Younger Associates clients include: Central Virginia Partnership, Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Greater Jackson Alliance in Mississippi, the North Alabama Council of Local Governments, the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Greater Memphis Alliance for a Competitive Workforce. Ray Evans, Economic Development Director for the Plateau Partnership Park and one of the City’s representatives on the committee to select the consultant, said “I believe the selection of Younger Associates is an excellent choice for the community. The committee’s comfort level with Sharon Younger was extraordinary.”

Sharon Younger is the President of Younger Associates and she has worked with TVA to develop successful strategies for recruiting the plastics and automotive industries into the Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi region. Her firm worked with TVA to analyze the economic impact of the megasite program by analyzing the activity in five megasites and the strategies for developing two additional megasites. She has over twenty-five years of experience in her field and is a frequent speaker at national conferences for professional organizations. 

Upper Cumberland Business Journal article on Kerry plant expansion.

MAYLAND – Cumberland County officials this week shared a bit of good news to round out 2016 with the announcement of a $13.3 million investment to expand a long-time business in the western Cumberland County community of Mayland.

The plant, now known as Kerry, opened in 1972 as Hickory Specialties and manufactures a variety of liquid smoke food flavorings. It was acquired by Kerry Group PLC of Ireland in 2001.

Link to Kerry expansion article in the Upper Cumberland Business Journal.

Kerry plant Expansion announced for Mayland operation

Local officials with the Horizon Initiative and Kerry announced the expansion of the plant in Mayland that most locals know as Hickory Specialties.

Announced under the banner of the Horizon Initiative, Chamber of Commerce president Brad Allamong pointed to the Horizon logo saying, “When you see this sign something good is behind it.” The Horizon Initiative is a partnership of local government, education and industry to promote the community's economic development.

The expansion includes an investment of some $13.3 million for the addition of 18,000 square feet, new state of the art equipment and 10 new employees.

The facility currently employees some 50 workers and has been a part of the community since 1972.  Freddy Conley, plant manager said the company had recently purchased a competitor and plan to move additional production to the local facility.  Conley added that Kerry was "going strong."

“The future's bright for Kerry's investment, the synergies are great, the resources are here,” added Conley. “We make a food product derived from sawdust, which is pretty unique in the industry and we maintain the highest of standards.” Conley also said he would be strongly advocating to hire locally for the new positions.  

Kerry plant manager of the Mayland TN operation Freddy Conley

explains the expansion of the plant, located here since 1972. 

Video of the Announcement

Horizon Initiative launches new website.

The Crossville Cumberland County Horizon Initiative has launched a newly designed website that includes lots of local information about the the work of the group, the community and attractions here.

The Horizon Initiative is a collaborative effort between the City of Crossville, the City of Pleasant Hill, the City of Crab Orchard, Cumberland County, Crossville-Cumberland Chamber of Commerce, and educational and other entities in Cumberland County, Tennessee.

he Horizon Initiative came from a series of 19 visioning meetings held across the county with citizens giving their input on what the community needed and what the problems they face were. Horizon now is all of Cumberland County working cooperatively on the dreams of our residents

Link to new Horizon Initiative website.

Crossville council approves $40,000 to chamber for Horizon funding--appoints 2 to oversight committee

Crossville city council selected 2 representatives for the oversight of the Horizon funding program funded by private donations along with funds by the city and county totaling $200,000 towards economic development.

During discussion of the item, the chamber's Brad Allamong reported to the council that the chamber had collected more then the full amount of $120,000 in the bank, one of the requirements to receive the city $40,000 funding match. The other requirement approved at a previous council meeting was the appointment of one or two representatives to the oversight committee.

Council members L-R Danny Wyatt, Mayor James Mayberry, Pamala Harris, Jesse Kerley 

While the funds have gone to the chamber of commerce, the funds are reserved only for use on the Horizon Initiative funding program spelled out in fund raising efforts. According to Allamong, the funds will not be used for general chamber operation.

The funding will be used for a target market analysis costing between $100,000 and $150,000 to study the area and determine industries that would be likely to find Cumberland County a good match for their business.

Workforce development strategies would be studied at an estimated cost of $15,000 to address the many issues revealed by the visioning meetings held. Some expected projects include supervisor training, study of daycare needs, work ethics and mentoring and support for a community wide anti-drug coalition.

Up to $48,000 will be used to fund a basic economic development office. Up to $30,000 would be spent on a study looking at the feasibility of further fund raising for Horizon programs.

A number of names were placed into nomination to represent the city on the oversight committee of the funding and with the votes of the four council members present, Anne Looney and Ray Evans were selected.    

Council approves $40,000 funding match to chamber of commerce with stipulations.

The Crossville city council approved the funding of the $40,000 that they promised the Chamber of Commerce last year with some caveats and oversight.

The chamber had brought the proposal to both the city and the county seeking $40,000 each from both governments contingent upon the raising of $120,000 of donations by the chamber as match funds to create a $200,000 fund for economic development following the release of the Horizon Initiative plan.

City council discusses and takes action on funding deal

Crossville mayor James Mayberry moved to release the economic development funds following a report by chamber president and CEO Brad Allamong that they had cash receipts and commitments totaling $132,000. Councilman Pete Souza seconded the motion.

Councilman Danny Wyatt commented that he felt there should be an oversight committee appointed by private donors and the city and county and he would not support it without such a committee. Brad Allamong told the council that the chamber's finance committee was made up of representatives including city finance director Fred Houston as well as county finance director Nathan Brock. In addition, Allamong explained that the donors would be involved in selecting the consultants used for the studies proposed as well.

Councilman Jesse Kerley added that while the chamber says they have commitments for the full amount of funds adding, “in my mind if this money's not in the bank, it's not been raised yet.”

Councilwoman Pam Harris asked Allamong when he thought the funds would be collected? Allamong said the chamber had received $12,000 in checks that day and another large contribution of $10,000 they are expecting as well as a few smaller checks. “We've had 100 percent collections,” added Allamong.

Ms. Harris suggested that the motion be amended to add an oversight committee and collection of the full $120,000 to the original motion.

Mr. Souza said the council could make the adjustments to the motion but said he felt it came down to, “Do we want to support this program or do we not want to support it? I think that what it boils down to.

Ms. Harris stressed, “I want to support this program. My motion would be a compromise that might be more agreeable to the full council. After some discussion, Ms. Harris moved to amend the motion with the addition of the contingencies of collecting the required $120,000 in the bank and formation of an oversight committee. The motion to amend was seconded by Mr. Souza.

The amendment was approved with 4 yes votes. Mr Wyatt voted no saying “because it wasn't stipulated who would appoint the oversight committee.” The vote to approve the motion as amended was the same with 4 ayes and Mr. Wyatt opposed.

Brad Allamong of the Chamber reports to the council prior to the funding discussion.

Just before the action on the funding release request, Mr. Allamong talked to the council about where the Horizon Initiative stands and what the total $200,000 plus will be used for. The plan includes a targeted industry analysis and workforce strategies totaling $120,000, workforce development programs at a cost of $10,000, funding for a basic economic development office that includes a support person and and necessary resources at $48,000 and a feasibility study for a multi-year campaign at a cost of $25,000.

Allamong continued, “The campaign was for some very specific things. We wanted a targeted industry analysis that will give us a professional consultant's look at the resources of Cumberland County, the land, the utilities, the workforce, etc. What are those companies that are in the expansion mode that we could attract and it's in their best interest to be here.”

“Workforce development strategy was another thing we want to do,” said Allamong. “Before we go out and do a bunch of programs, which may well cure some of our workforce ills. Tell us what the strategy is and then the programs follow. The targeted industry with the workforce strategy will tell you that you need to work on bringing these companies here.

In the morning before the council met, the chamber held a media announcement to talk about the Horizon program and funding as well as what they hoped to accomplish.  

Chamber's full press conference on the Horizon fundraising program and 

what the funds will be used for.

Where the Crossville/Cumberland Co. Horizon Initiative Stands.

“What is Horizon?” Allamong explained, “The Horizon Initiative came from a series of 19 visioning meetings held across the county with citizens giving their input on what the community needed and what the problems they face were. Horizon now is all of Cumberland County working cooperatively on the dreams of our residents. I think that the beauty to Horizon is that it really is an umbrella for these dreams, these wishes of our residents to come to pass. Where common groups that share goals and visions can come and be discussing issues that they never really had before.”

Following the announcment that the Chamber of Commerece had exceeded its goal of fundraising to recieve matching funds from Crossville and Cumberland County, some of those invovled gathered for a photo.  Left to right are Brad Allamong, Presdient and CEO of the Crossville-CUmberland County Chamber of Commerce, Crossville mayor James Mayberry, Horizon Initiative steering committe chair Nancy Burns and Cumberland Co. mayor Kennth Carey.

“The Horizon Initiative is not owned by anyone. It is a partnership,” explained Brad Allamong of the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce.

“What is Horizon?” Allamong explained, “The Horizon Initiative came from a series of 19 visioning meetings held across the county with citizens giving their input on what the community needed and what the problems they face were. Horizon now is all of Cumberland County working cooperatively on the dreams of our residents. I think that the beauty to Horizon is that it really is an umbrella for these dreams, these wishes of our residents to come to pass. Where common groups that share goals and visions can come and be discussing issues that they never really had before.”

On July 14, Allamong announced to the media that the Chamber had donations and commitments totaling $132,000, exceeding the $120,000 they agreed to raise. While the Cumberland County check for their $40,000 is cut to be delivered to the Chamber, the city's action at their meeting also on the 14th was to disburse the funds only upon appointment of an oversight committee and actual receipt by the Chamber of at least $120,000 cash in the bank. Currently the Chamber has several outstanding commitments to reach the cash amount but Allamong told the city council he was confident they would meet that requirement shortly as checks were continuing to come in.

Allamong gave background on how the Horizon Initiative came about, where it is now and where he and other partners hope it will help take the community in the future. “Horizon has it roots in the visioning program that was designed to get input from all Cumberland County residents,” he said. There were 19 different meetings at different locations, often schools and public meeting places where the public was invited to share their ideas and concerns.

“We wanted to have input and views from citizens on where we had been, Where they think we are now and where they'd like the future to be. It's really important to have consensus as you move forward,” stressed Allamong.

As the community learned of the impending loss of local employment through the Ficosa company's relocation to Cookeville, Allamong said that retirees continued to be strong in coming to the community and tourism held it's own. “Horizon became the banner or label of every success that would come out of this plan. The first announcement under the banner was the January announcement of Apex Energy,” explained Allamong. Other announcements included 150 new jobs at Co-Linx and the three state bowling tournaments to be held in Crossville in the next 12 months.

Allamong pointed out that while the city and county were working as partners, something they hadn't often done in the past, those working on the plan realized that if something was going to be done about workforce development, they would also need help from the schools district, Roane State Community College (RSCC) and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT). As more partners came on board, a simple cooperative agreement was drafted that says “were all going to work together to advance this Horizon plan.”

The Horizon fund raising campaign was, according to Allamong, a pretty good deal for the city and the county. “The city put up $40,000 and the county put up $40,000 and we said we would come with $120,000 and I think going forward, this 60/40 split thing, we're going to continue to pursue that going forward.”

Allamong continued, “The campaign was for some very specific things. We wanted a targeted industry analysis that will give us a professional consultant's look at the resources of Cumberland County, the land, the utilities, the workforce, etc. What are those companies that are in the expansion mode that we could attract and it's in their best interest to be here.”

Currently the chamber gets leads from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development but so does every other community in Tennessee and you're in this competition of comparisons between what each community has to offer.

“With a targeted industry analysis, you are looking for the companies with the best match, the best suited to you. What we hope to get out of a targeted industry analysis, don't tell me I need more ceramics companies, tell me what companies I can attract that will help us anchor those ceramics industries,” explained Allamong.

“Workforce development strategy was another thing we want to do,” said Allamong. “Before we go out and do a bunch of programs, which may well cure some of our workforce ills. Tell us what the strategy is and then the programs follow. The targeted industry with the workforce strategy will tell you that you need to work on bringing these companies here. Once you know the profiles of the companies you're attracting, you turn it over to the education folks and say 'what are we doing to prepare the workforce to accept those jobs in those companies that you're recruiting?' That sounds like a new thing, but it's not.”

In a similar vein, Allamong said that while the area has property available for industry, until the area knows what type of industry it is trying to attract they won't know if they have the right property with the right infrastructure.

"Horizon carries the banner to encompass the vision process, any announcments if it's out of the visnioning plan as a success. One of the nice things about our city, county chamber partnership is that none of us are hung up on the issue of who gets credit," according to Allamong, "The community gets credit and we all win."

Allamong added that some of the recent local political headlines do make his job harder, and he added it would be better to be able to find accord and diplomacy, "Because that's the darndest thhing about Google, you can pretty much find anything out there. But I would love to be known as the community that found solutions to its workforce problems. I wouldn't have to market, they'd come here."

Allamong admitted, “We have done the worst job of communicating, post visioning, where is Horizon. It almost needs its own marketing strategy. We're going to fail if we don't communicate back to the people that wrote the plan. I would love to go back into the communities and periodically revisit visioning.

The Horizon Initiative steering committee is currently meeting monthly and organizing around 6 focus areas. Those focus areas are social, identity, infrastructure, economic, leadership and organizational. Nancy Burns, chair of the steering committee said the group is finalizing their by-laws and currently have 18 to 20 members of the steering committee. Each focus area has a chair and they are working to establish volunteers and work plans to move the project and the community forward.