Nashville, TN – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner Karla Davis have awarded $19,035 to Bridgestone Metalpha USA in Clarksville.

“If Tennessee is going to become the number one location in the Southeast for high-quality jobs, then we must offer a well-trained workforce to employers,” said Governor Haslam. “This kind of training grant not only helps educate workers, but also provides incentive to employers looking to relocate or expand in Tennessee.”

In their application for the grant, Bridgestone Metalpha USA stated this grant will enable the company to reduce waste and concentrate on value added tasks that will improve and make the process more efficient. Increasing the knowledge base of the industrial maintenance technicians, will reduce lead times thus impacting the delivery to customers, making the company more competitive.

“I would like to thank Governor Haslam and Commissioner Davis for their involvement in awarding this grant to the workers of Montgomery County,” said Tennessee State Senator Tim Barnes.

“By investing in the skills of Tennessee’s workforce, we’re also investing in our future economic success,” said Representative Curtis Johnson.

Workforce Essentials, Inc. played a key role in awarding the grant to Bridgestone Metalpha USA.

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development administers the Incumbent Worker Training program. The program has been structured to be flexible to meet the business’s training objectives. The business may use public, private, or its own in-house training provider based on the nature of the training.

[320left]The following criteria must be met to qualify for the Incumbent Worker Training Program. Employers must be in operation in Tennessee for at least one year prior to application date. Employers must have at least five full-time employees, demonstrate financial viability and be current on all state tax obligations.

Funding priority is given to businesses whose grant proposals represent a significant layoff avoidance strategy and represent a significant upgrade of skills.

The Customs House Museum is located at 200 South 2nd Street, Clarksville, TN.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss possible projects for which the County may apply under the 2012 CDBG program. CDBG funds may be used for industrial development projects, water and sewer improvements, imminent threat issues, and community livability projects.

Anyone with disabilities requiring special accommodations for the meeting should contact Jenny Nickerson at 931.245.1858, or . Montgomery County supports equal opportunity providers and does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, national origin, or physical handicap.

Learn how to fill out the personal property schedules and get any questions answered that you may have about state statutes governing business personal property.

Over the previous weeks, passers-by have witnessed steel and roofing being erected, as well as the concrete slab being most recently poured for the project.

WIC Clinic construction currently underway next to the Health Department.

The relocation of the WIC clinic from its current Business Park Drive location will allow Health Department patrons to have access to consolidated services. “We are thrilled to see this project moving forward for Montgomery County citizens. Housing all of the Health Department Services in one location is a great convenience and benefit for our citizens and if the weather cooperates, we are planning to be open by April,” County Mayor Carolyn Bowers states.

WIC Clinic construction currently underway next to the Health Department.

The WIC Clinic currently serves nearly 10,000 patients annually, of which around 31% of the county’s participants are military related.

The project is funded by a $2.1M grant from the Tennessee Department of Health.

“Corps approval is a critical step in moving forward with development,” explained Mayor McMillan. “Once the City Council approved the agreement on Tuesday night, we immediately moved forward to sign and forward it to the Corps for review. To receive approval within 48 hours is a direct result of our hard work and commitment to completing this project. We are very appreciative of the wonderful working relationship we have with the Corps and their enthusiasm for the project and we look forward to working with them to bring it to completion.”

According to the Mayor, the Corps is the ultimate authority on all building projects on Tennessee waterways. Without Corp approval, the project would have been delayed at best. The quick approval process means that the City and developer can move into the building phase.

“The marina project, along with the restaurant at Liberty Park, is going to offer a new and unique experience for Clarksvillians. It will also bring new and exciting opportunities for tourist and economic development. Along with our development partner, we are looking forward to creating this special place for Clarksville,” Mayor McMillan said.

Mayor McMillan wishes you a happy holiday season and extends her sincere appreciation for all you do to make Clarksville the very best place to live, work and raise our families.

The tower will be constructed at 280 feet tall, with the upper 80 feet housing the county equipment and the NWS equipment. AT&T will be able to lease space to other occupants if they choose, but the space above 200 feet will be reserved for county and National Weather Service use only.

The tower will be constructed at the previous location on Highway Drive next to the Bi-County Transfer Station. Construction will begin immediately and is projected to be completed by late February. Final negotiations resulted in a 30 years lease, with 5 year extension options, in which the county will own the tower at the end of the lease period.

The only cost to the county is the land that it will occupy. “We are very pleased with the final terms of the lease with AT&T. This agreement allows all of the county equipment prime location on the tower, while at the same time restoring the weather equipment that is vital to our citizens during severe weather situations,” states County Mayor Carolyn Bowers.

During construction, citizens should continue to tune their weather radios into neighboring frequencies for severe weather information. These include Nashville at frequency 162.550, Waverly at 162.400 or Hopkinsville at 162.450. Once the tower has been constructed and all equipment restored, the Clarksville frequency of 162.500 will once again be fully operational.

“We hope this new schedule change will allow citizens easier access to our facility and allow us to better serve our customers”, states County Mayor Carolyn Bowers.

“Mornings and late afternoons seem to be the busiest internally, as these are the times that the animals most require our attention. The new hours will allow the staff ample time to give the animals their undivided attention and get officers out on the roads quicker,” says Karen Josephson, Animal Control Director. Josephson continues, “We analyzed past call, adoption and impound logs in an effort to find a schedule that is the best fit for our community. The extended hours on Thursdays are to better serve those who can’t get away from work during the day to visit our facility.”

Animal Control and Adoption Services will begin various adoption promotions in the coming year and will continue to seek ways to better serve the citizens and animals of Montgomery County.

The Parks & Recreation Main Office will be closed Monday, December 26th as well as Tuesday, December 27th and Monday, January 2nd, 2012.

The Fort Defiance Interpretive Center will be closed Saturday, December 24th and Sunday, December 25th.

The Burt-Cobb Community Center, Crow Community Center and Kleeman Community Center will be closed on Saturday, December 24th and will return to their holiday schedule of 10:00am to 7:00pm on Monday, December 26th to continue the duration of the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System holiday break.

The Indoor Aquatic Center at New Providence will be closed on Saturday, December 24th and Monday, December 26th. The Indoor Aquatic Center will operate under the extended hours of 7:00am to 8:00pm through January 4th, 2012.

For more details on the holiday schedule of Parks & Recreation facilities, please contact the Clarksville Parks and Recreation at 931.645.7476 or visit www.cityofclarksville.com.