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Automotive Supplier to Invest $16.8 Million, Create 104 New Jobs

NASHVILLE—Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty, along with Van-Rob Manchester officials announced today the company will add 104 jobs to its manufacturing facility on Volunteer Parkway in Manchester. Van-Rob, a Tier 1 supplier to the major automobile manufacturers, will create 104 new jobs and invest $16.8 million at its Coffee County facility.

“I want to thank Van-Rob for its continued investment in Tennessee and the new jobs created in Coffee County,” Haslam said. “Our Jobs4TN strategy identifies Tennessee’s unique competitive advantage in the automotive industry, and with more than 105,000 Tennesseans employed in auto manufacturing, these expansions help us toward our goal of becoming the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.”

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, First Lady Crissy Haslam, Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder and Tennessee Military Department Major General Terry “Max” Haston will memorialize three Tennessee service members killed in action.

For the first time in the state’s history, the Governor will also formally present the first Gold Star Families proclamation to Wayne Gearheart with the newly created Gold Star Dads of America organization in Tennessee.

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES INTERCEPTED VIA TREASURY OFFSET PROGRAM

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development has collected $15.3 million of fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits as a result of the Treasury Offset Program (TOP). This program allows garnishment of IRS refunds and other federal payments from those who have collected unemployment benefits fraudulently.

Bill makes it illegal to abandon mentally disabled adults
 
CARYVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today held a ceremonial bill signing of “Lynn’s Law,” or HB 531/SB 675, legislation allowing district attorneys to prosecute an individual who knowingly abandons a person with an intellectual disability.  
 
This bill makes it illegal for a person who has assumed responsibility for and is knowledgeable of another’s inability to care for him or herself to abandon that person.

Payne to lead DIDD, Henry to stay on at DCS

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced Debra Payne as the new commissioner of the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD) as Jim Henry becomes the permanent commissioner at the Department of Children’s Services (DCS).

Payne currently serves as deputy commissioner of DIDD and Henry as the interim commissioner of DCS.

“These two departments handle some of the state’s most difficult work concerning our most vulnerable citizens,” Haslam said. “I want to thank Debbie for taking on this new role in such a young department. Her experience and hard work will continue to serve the state of Tennessee very well.”

World’s Leading Music Publisher to Invest Millions, Create Approximately 50-60 New Jobs

NASHVILLE—Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with Sony/ATV Music Publishing officials today announced an expansion and relocation of the company’s global administration offices within Nashville. Sony/ATV’s offices, currently located at 65 Music Square West, will move to Fifth Third Center in downtown Nashville. Sony/ATV will invest several million dollars and create approximately 50-60 new jobs.

“Tennessee’s diverse economy and world-renowned reputation in the music industry helps our state stand out among the competition,” Hagerty said. “Sony/ATV’s decision to expand in the heart of Nashville highlights Tennessee’s great strength as a center of creative excellence in the music industry and provides valuable jobs to our high quality workforce. I want to thank Marty Bandier and everyone at Sony/ATV for their continued investment in Nashville.”

Legislation last step in two-year effort to cut state portion of sales tax on groceries to 5 percent

VONORE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today traveled to Monroe County to sign legislation to reduce the state portion of the sales tax on groceries from 5.25 percent to 5 percent.

Haslam held a ceremonial bill signing at Sloan’s Grocery in Vonore, Tenn.

In 2012, the General Assembly passed and the governor signed the first step in reducing the state portion of the sales tax on groceries, lowering the rate from 5.5 percent to 5.25 percent.

Steel Manufacturer to add approximately 40 Jobs

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with Gerdau officials announced plans to expand its presence into West Knox County. The additional facility in WestBridge Business Park will take steel rebar manufactured at the current Lonsdale mill and apply finishing services for original equipment manufacturers (OEM). The facility will have a capacity of about 120,000 tons of finished steel per year. This expansion represents a multi-million investment by Gerdau and will create approximately 40 new jobs.
 
“Gerdau’s expansion highlights how Tennessee’s ideal location, low cost of doing business and high quality work force create the ideal environment for manufacturers to locate and expand,” Hagerty said. “Gerdau’s confidence in Tennessee speaks highly of our business-friendly climate, and I appreciate their commitment to continued growth in Knoxville.”

NASHVILLE --- Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Tracy Trott led a special memorial service Friday to honor Tennessee state troopers and other law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. In observance of National Police Week, the THP’s annual Memorial Service was held at the department’s headquarters in Nashville.

                                    Financial Technology Company to Invest $925,000, Create 69 Jobs
 
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty along with TransCard, LLC officials announced plans to expand their operations on Jenkins Rd. in Chattanooga, Tenn. The expansion is a result of TransCard acquiring HQ Gift Cards, Inc., located in Louisville, Ky., along with the organic growth of their core bank business. TransCard’s expansion represents a $925,000 investment and will create 69 new jobs in Hamilton County.
 
“Tennessee’s extensive technology infrastructure and pro-business climate offer companies a significant competitive advantage in today’s global marketplace,” Hagerty said. “Under Craig Fuller’s visionary guidance, TransCard has become part of the great entrepreneurial DNA of this state. Craig and his team have built a world class technology company and we are proud that they call Tennessee home.”