Governor Bredesen Awards $1 Million Rapid Response Grant to Maury County

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen and Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley have awarded $1 million to the South Central Tennessee Workforce Board in Columbia, Tenn.  The money will address the needs of more than 2,478 workers dislocated at the GM Spring Hill Manufacturing Plant and another 1,000 workers from associated subcontractors affected by the plant rearrangement needed to prepare the plant for potential future product build.

“It is extremely important that we address the needs of these workers and help them to return quickly to employment so they can become self-supportive,” said Bredesen.  “The rapid response grant to the South Central Workforce Board will help those workers get the skills they need to stimulate growth and attract new industry to the area.”

“The Rapid Response grants are important for hard hit areas like Maury and surrounding counties affected by the GM layoffs,” said Commissioner Neeley.  “The funding will provide multiple training opportunities for in-demand occupations.”

“We are honored to accept this grant to help dislocated workers transition into new careers,” said South Central Tennessee Workforce Board Executive Director Jan McKeel.  “We are grateful to Governor Bredesen and Commissioner Neeley for their continued support of our agency and the hundreds of workers affected by the layoffs.”

The South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance, through the Tennessee Career Centers, is in the process of arranging for additional training programs to be offered in the area for dislocated workers in industries such as medical services, transportation, automotive technology, construction trades information technology, industrial maintenance, and electronics technology.

Other Career Center services include job readiness skills development, including assistance with resume preparation, application completion, and interviewing skill development; career coaching services such as career exploration and job search skills; and access to job listings. More information can be obtained by calling the Tennessee Career Center in Columbia at 931.490.3800, or visiting the Tennessee Career Center at 119 Nashville Highway, Suite 106 Columbia, Tennessee

Senator Bill Ketron and Representatives Tom Dubois and John Tidwell represent Maury County and assisted with the grant request for this area.