Seminar brings business, government together for jobs
Chattanooga Times-Free Press
By Pam Sohn
August 6, 2009

MANCHESTER, Tenn. -- Finding more work opportunities for businesses of all sizes was the order of day Wednesday at a federal funding seminar hereSpeakers at the two-day event sponsored by U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn., and the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services offered more than 30 sessions for the 450 businesses representatives in attendance.

Jeff Hendrix, who owns Benchmark Tool and Machine in Pelham, Tenn., came to hear Dominique Kuenzel of Volkswagen. He hoped to get tips on receiving packaging contracts with VW or its suppliers. VW is to begin producing cars at its Chattanooga assembly plant in 2011.

" I learned, number one, that I have to build 50 relationships instead of one," Mr. Pelham said, after hearing Mr. Kuenzel say the suppliers would make their own packaging contracts. "And I learned that the purchasing process will be done in Chattanooga. And that's huge."

It means, he said, he can work with officials in the Southeast, not in Germany.

"I can be in Chattanooga in 30 or 40 minutes, talking to that individual, not trying to communicate over on the phone or by e-mail or BlackBerry. Now I've got a real person. And I'm a real person," he said.

A.J. Fox, with the South Pittsburg Parks and Recreation Department, said he came to the seminar mainly to hear about opportunities for cities and counties, but he found the business sessions interesting, too.

"We have a historic theater we're renovating, and we'll need suppliers for furnishings and other things," he said. "We also are trying to market a warehouse by the (Tennessee) River that used to be Mohawk Industries," he said.

Rep. Davis said he began the annual seminar more than six years ago because as a former USDA soil scientist, Farmers Home Administration loan officer and city mayor, he knew how difficult it can be to work through the maze of government contracts and big business processes.

"This is the fourth-most-rural congressional district in America, and the third-highest number of blue-collar workers -- many lower-wage earners," he said.

The seminar "has really been a success," he said. "People tell us this is some of the most important time they spend in their business or public service career."

On Tuesday, Keith Joy, director of small business programs with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, told attendees there are millions of dollars available for workers and contractors. But he said businesses seeking the work must "do your homework" and be patient.

"Act like you're looking for a job," he said. "And be professional. And network."

WHAT'S NEXT

Today's session at Rep. Lincoln Davis' federal funding seminar is aimed at local government officials and will include a roundtable discussion on rural housing.