Original Date: 11/03/1996
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Manufacturing, one of the key drivers of Tennessee's economy, represents 22% of the total jobs in the state. Figure 2-13 shows the impact of manufacturing on Tennessee's economy. To continue its overall economic strategy, Tennessee needs to grow and maintain a strong manufacturing job base through good, high-paying jobs. In response, Oak Ridge Centers for Manufacturing Technology (ORCMT) partnered with the State of Tennessee to establish the Manufacturing Means JOBS Initiative which pulls together the resources and advance economic development within the state. The program combines the cooperative efforts between the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the University of Tennessee System, the state's Board of Regents institutions, and ORCMT. Through the Manufacturing Means JOBS Initiative, ORCMT envisions Tennessee, by the year 2001, as the number one state in the Nation in percentage of manufacturing job growth.

By integrating all the industrial-extension resources and using economic-development action teams, the Manufacturing Means JOBS Initiative draws together and unifies Tennessee’s existing resources which can assist both new and existing manufacturers across the state. This strategy allows the program to focus on the economic regions and statewide industrial clusters. Objectives include establishing a five-year plan, benchmarking job growth in other states, and demonstrating results by using existing resources. The idea relies on effective networking to enhance what currently exists. Key areas include exporting assistance, supplier development, regional initiatives, targeted industrial recruitment, and workforce training. In addition, technology centers, small business development centers, universities, and other manufacturing organizations throughout Tennessee support the Manufacturing Means JOBS Initiative.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.