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NPI property to have new ownership
Members of the Newport/Cocke County Economic Development Commission were told Thursday that a lease purchase of the former NPI building off Cope Boulevard is being finalized. Partnership President Don Hurst said the plan is to lease the property for five years with the new firm then paying off the estimated note at that time. Currently he said the property has an appraised value of about $600,000. Hurst also has been asked by the firm to facilitate with the county, the purchase of an additional minimum of five acres behind the building, in the county owned industrial park. The additional acreage will be needed for future expansion, he said. "The big thing is getting jobs for the community. We feel this company will do that, The company is known to us.... we've seen what they've done in other areas. Our goal is not necessarily to make a profit on the real estate, but to bring in jobs by a firm that will be a part of the community and then after five years the property will go back on the tax rolls," Hurst explained. The board also was told there are three companies currently renting space in the Partnership owned spec building in the industrial park. Hurst also reported that TVA and state officials are continuing to work with his agency in the search for new jobs for the community. Sales tax collections are increasing, and Hurst said March numbers total collections of $715,183, an increase of eight percent over March, 2013 collections. In addition the fiscal year as a whole shows an increase of 4.5 percent year-to-date. It likely will be the Fall till the South Highway 321 stretch from Newport to Wilton Springs is let for four-laning. State revenues are down and that project alone is expected to have a cost of $18 to $20 million. Engineering work for the stretch from Wilton Springs to the Hooper Highway also is underway. Hurst is pleased with the move by the state legislature to support Governor Bill Haslam's request for free tuition at community colleges across the state. The move Hurst said means Tennessee is about to move from a k-12 education program, to a k-14 year program. Thursday's meeting was held at the American Appliance facility on Chemwood Drive. Manufacturing Manager Anthony Ottinger said the operation is owned by SSW Holding Company, Inc. and manufactures racks for cooking, refrigeration and HVAC units. The company has annual sales of $50million from the Newport operation, which also utilizes a warehouse on Thinwood Drive. Currently there are 240 hourly workers and 40 salaried personnel in the three shift operation which uses 60 ton of steel daily. HR Manager Callisse Finchum said although the pay scale is competitive, the plant has a difficult time retaining employees. Many do not complete the 90 day probationary period. And the firm is pressured financially in it's wage scale because of competition from China and Mexico. Ottinger said a rack that cost $1.00 to produce in the local plant can be manufactured in China and shipped to the U.S. for 40 cents. But after the probationary period the local firm provides full benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as life and disability insurance, and a matching 401K program The commission was told that the salary does not seem to play a part in absenteeism because other area firms with higher salaries have similar problems. Another issue that plays a part in the high turn-over at the pant is drug abuse. Finchum said the majority of new employees are not working after the probation period. Hurst offered to assist the firm in connecting with available state worker training programs in an effort to address the issues.
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Return to Today's News Stories - Front PageThursday, April 29, 2021
US 411 Project News
Mill Creek Wildfire Update
More Bad News For Smokies' Fans
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
Goodbye Smokies?
Keep Cocke County Beautiful
Cocke Co. High School Remote Learning today!
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
The fireflies are coming!
Burnout Operations on MillCreek wildfire today
Gas prices drop
Tennessee keeps all US House seats
Monday, April 26, 2021
Boat accident victim ID'd
Traffic stop yields drug arrest
Cocke County Wildfires
Friday, April 23, 2021
Leaving WNPC
Mathis announces candidacy
Newport drug roundup
Cruise Against Cancer
Jobless numbers
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