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NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today proposed $30 million to improve school safety across the state in the amendment to the fiscal year 2018-19 budget proposal to be considered by the General Assembly in the coming weeks. The funding includes $25 million in nonrecurring and $5.2 million in recurring school safety grants. Earlier this month, the governor appointed a School Safety Working Group to review school safety in Tennessee and provide recommendations to enhance the security of school children. In the coming days, the working group will submit options for consideration that will serve as a basis for state action and approved school safety measures.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and SpecialtyCare, Inc. officials announced today that the company will expand its headquarters in Brentwood. The healthcare company plans to create 124 new jobs in Tennessee.

MEMPHIS – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today joined FedEx Corp. Chairman and CEO Frederick W. Smith to announce the company is making a capital investment of more than $1 billion to modernize its Memphis hub and improve operational efficiency and reliability. The Memphis hub project includes construction of a new large sort facility and installation of state-of-the-art sort systems, construction of a bulk truck load building, and a new area to improve handling of the oversized shipments that have increased with the growth in e-commerce. Following plan approval, construction is expected to begin in 2019 and be completed by 2025.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Burns Phillips today announced that unemployment across Tennessee remained low at the start of 2018. Data released today revealed the preliminary statewide unemployment rate for January 2018 was 3.3 percent, which matched the revised rate for December 2017. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in January was 1.2 percent lower than the rate for the same month one year ago and has remained 3.3 percent.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced he has formed a working group of leaders from the executive branch, General Assembly, safety, education and mental health to immediately begin reviewing school safety in Tennessee and provide recommendations to enhance the security of school children. While all schools in Tennessee currently have safety plans in place, the Governor’s School Safety Working Group will convene this week to review the policies, procedures and process of developing and implementing those plans, as well as other school safety measures, including communication and collaboration among law enforcement, educators and mental health professionals.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and officials from DENSO announced today that the global automotive supplier will expand its operations in Athens.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced today the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC), with Chairman Jake Steinfield, has selected Tennessee for its 2018 DON’T QUIT! fitness campaign.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and England, Inc. officials announced today that the company will expand its operations in New Tazewell. The furniture manufacturer plans to create 202 jobs and invest $31 million in Claiborne County.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced the application is open for adults to enroll tuition-free this fall at a community or technical college through Tennessee Reconnect. Tennessee Reconnect builds off the groundbreaking Tennessee Promise program, which provides high school graduates two years of tuition-free community or technical college, by establishing a last-dollar scholarship for adults to earn an associate degree or technical certificate free of tuition or mandatory fees.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced today that Allied Dispatch Solutions, LLC has been selected to occupy a state-funded call center facility in Sneedville as part of the State of Tennessee’s Project 95 initiative.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Asurion, LLC officials announced today that the company will create 400 information technology jobs as it consolidates operations into a new corporate headquarters in downtown Nashville.

NASHVILLE – Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam today recognized 22 state employees for providing outstanding service to the state and their fellow Tennesseans at a luncheon at the Tennessee Residence. The Governor’s Excellence in Service Awards was launched in 2016 to honor outstanding state employees who are helping Tennessee lead by providing efficient and effective state services every day.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today appointed James L. Gass of Dandridge as Circuit Court Judge in the 4th Judicial District, filling a temporary appointment that had been made last October. On October 18, Haslam appointed Gass as special judge to fill a temporary vacancy due to the illness of Judge Richard R. Vance. Judge Vance died on December 3, 2017, creating the need for Haslam to make an appointment to serve until the next general election.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced his legislative agenda for the 2018 session, continuing his focus on leading the nation in jobs, education, and efficient and effective government. “We have made so many strides in higher education and workforce development, and we must not let up now. One of our top priorities this year will be making sure our students who receive Tennessee Promise and HOPE scholarships compete college on time, helping us reach our Drive to 55 goal,” Haslam said. “You’ll also see much needed reforms to Tennessee’s juvenile justice system that will strengthen families and communities while promoting public safety and ensuring a responsible and effective use of limited resources.”

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe recently approved nearly $25.5 million in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), which assist communities with infrastructure improvements, health and safety initiatives and façade improvements in downtown commercial districts.