WSCC Classes at UCHS

It has been established that Walters State Community College will offer five evening courses this semester at Union County High School. The courses are English composition I (Monday 6-9:05 p.m.); Elementary algebra (Tuesday, 6-9:05 p.m.); Probability and Statistics (Tuesday, 6-9:05 p.m.); American History I (Wednesday, 6-9:05 p.m.); and Introduction to Psychology (Thursday, 6-9:05 p.m.).

“Expanding classes available to Union County residents has been one of Walters State’s goals and we hope these five courses are only the beginning,” said Dr. Wade B. McCamey, president of the college. Linda Roberts, dean of distance education at Walters State, stated that if these classes are successfull this semester, more classes will be offered in the spring semester.

Susan Oaks has been named Union County area coordinator for Walters State. Oaks may be reached at (865) 992-5466 or oakss@ucps.org. For more information contact Oaks or Walters State’s Office of Distance Education at (800) 225-4770.

GED-Adult Education Center

Union County Adult Education Center will help anyone who does not have their high school diploma. On August 3, 2009, there will be an orientation between the hours of 7:00 and 9:00 P.M. The orientation will be held at the Union County Adult Education Center behind Rocky Top Market. Please try to attend and all questions about the GED test, where to take classes, and any others will be answered. A GED can offer you higher wages in your job, better opportunities, and scholarship money for college. Here are some test dates for when the GED test will be given at the Union County Adult Education Center: August 24&25, September 28&29, November 2&3, and December 7&8.

For more information contact Melissa Carter at 992-0805. The office is open daily from 8:00-4:00 P.M.

E. TN Economic Development Agency

East Tennessee Economic Development Agency (ETEDA) is a regional marketing and business recruitment organization that provides site location information and assistance. On Wednesday, July 8, 2009, the advisory committee for the East Tennessee Economic Development Agency met and discussed the reports on project activities. They spoke of mostly solar, the VW plant in Chattanooga, and the primary and secondary suppliers. Active Projects report for a third of the year shows transportation, technology, and general manufacturing as the top projects for the third quarter.

Energy Improvements

KUB is committed to helping our customers conserve energy and save on their utility bills. KUB has several programs that help in conserving energy and lowering costs for you. Some such programs are the Weatherization Assistance Program which enables low-income families to reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy-efficient and TVA’s Green Power Switch Generation Partners Program which provides incentives for the installation of renewable energy generation systems. For more information on these programs you can go to www.dsireusa.org

The Department of Human Services (DHS) has reached an agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to provide highly technical training sessions for energy auditors and weatherization contractors. DHS works with a network of 18 local community agencies that will carry out the weatherization program. The TVA led training sessions are being coordinated through these local agencies. Any interested licensed contractor or energy auditor should contact their local agency for training times and locations or visit the DHS Recovery web site at http://tn.gov/wap. Training space is limited and registration is required by calling the following temporary toll free number 1-877-830-3304.

SCORE

SCORE is a nonprofit, all-volunteer association dedicated to entrepreneurial education and the formation, growth, and success of small businesses nationwide. A resource partner with the US Small Business Administration, SCORE has 389 chapters and 10,500 volunteers nationwide. Locally, the Greater Knoxville SCORE Chapter with over 30 experienced business men and women volunteer time to work with entrepreneurs, small business owners, and nonprofit organizations in 19 East Tennessee counties: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Cumberland, Fentress, Grainger, Hamblen, Hancock, Jefferson, Know, Loudon, Monroe, Morgan, Roane, Sevier, Scott, and Union.

SCORE’s mission is to provide resources and expertise to maximize the success of existing and emerging small businesses. As of right now, SCORE is looking for volunteers or new members who have business skills and an interest in local economic development as well as the necessary contacts in the community. The following counties need some “resident” members: Anderson, Campbell, Claiborne, Cocke, Fentress, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Morgan, Sevier, Scott, and Union.

SCORE volunteers are working or retired business owners, executives and corporate leaders who share their wisdom and lessons learned in business. The benefits of volunteering through SCORE are community leadership and recognition, professional and personal growth, lifelong learning, and chance to give back.

Space for Lease

Glen Crawford is a seeking a contact who wishes to lease an office space or warehouse/office space for at least a year. The building you may lease as three different areas or as a whole. The front section (front entrance (premium space) will be $1,150 approximately 1000 sq. feet. The left side which contains an office is approximately 1200 sq. ft, $1,150/per month. The cutting room and cooler spaces which can be altered to their needs is approximately 2500 sq. ft. with or without rail system and coolers will be negotiated, but the area alone would cost $1,450/per month without rails or coolers. Glen said he could help with minor construction changes and needs. First and last months payment with a small damage deposit ($200) is required up front. Theses rates do not include water and utilities. Individual insurance needs must be covered by the client but Glen has building insurance. A bank reference will be required. Please contact Glen Crawford by email justrite404@yahoo.com or by phone at (865) 680-8357.

Business with Volkswagen

On June 29, 2009, Volkswagen held a meeting with local economic developers at Pellissippi State Technical Community College. Three businesses from Union County were in attendance. Volkswagen is looking for suppliers who can give 10% as a miniority or disadvantaged (small employees). A secondary supplier will be matched with a primary. When you fill out your application, be sure to check off all that you can do. For more information you can contact Thomas Van Loon-Behr (general manager) and visit their website at www.groupsupply.com Also you can contact the Chamber at (865) 992-2811.

Census 2010

Maynardville has received documents from the census GIS mapping project and that each municipality/county was responsible for validation of the information. The census forms will be mailed out after March 10, 2010 but only to those who have street addresses. No P.O. Boxes will receive the forms. Please be sure if you have a P.O. Box to pick up a form or request one. It is very important for all to fill out and return these forms. Why is it so important? It helps with funding in our community. Census data directly affect how more than $300 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation and much more. That’s more than $3 trillion over a 10-year period. Spending just a few minutes to fill out your census form will help ensure your community gets its fair share of federal and state funding.

Historical Preservation

The Chamber is currently working on gathering information about historical sites in Sharps Chapel so as to create a drive tour through to see these places. We are wanting to preserve the history found here and by doing so we can create a brochure with all these places. History is a part of our community and we would like to keep it alive. Not only do we want to preserve our history, but we would like to establish a Board of Historical Preservation for Union County.  If anyone is interested or has stories or knowledge of places, please feel free to contact us here at the Chamber at 992-2811 or just drop by.

Senator Corker Visits Union County

On Monday, June 15, 2009, Senator Bob Corker attended a breakfast and town meeting held at the senior center in Maynardville. The event was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and had several volunteers from the Maynardville Public Library. The boy scouts started the event by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. After a brief welcome by Mayor Larry Lay, Senator Corker stepped up and made a few introductions into ongoing discussions such as health care. A mixture of community leaders, elected officials, and business owners had the floor as they began a question and answer session with Senator Corker. Many questions were based on the health care issue. Dr. Bob Swisher brought up local issues of how high speed Internet could not be accessible to everyone and good roads. ”In schools,” he said, “it sets up discrimination because half of the class has the advantage of high speed Internet while the other half is at a disadvantage. ” Senator Corker responded to this by stating he was aware of this fact and that he would contact agents in the area who have contracts in the county and see what he could do about resolving these issues for Union County. Hazel Erickson asked how he (Senator Corker) felt about President Obama always apologizing for our great country. Ronnie Erickson asked how our health care system measured up to the European system and if the European system would be better in the United States. Senator Corker replied that he does not feel that the European system is better, but those countries use less of their GNP (Gross National Product) to fund health care.  Senator Corker answered questions with poise and confidence and if he could not answer the best way he said he would get more information on it and contact you later about it. Overall, the meeting and breakfast with Senator Corker went extrememly well.