Thursday, September 19, 2024
The August Statewide Rate of 3.1% is Still Well Below the National Rate of 4.2%

NASHVILLE – After three consecutive months of record-low unemployment, the statewide unemployment rate increased slightly last month, according to data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development (TDLWD).

The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.1% in August, an increase of one-tenth of a percentage point over the record low of 3% posted in May, June, and July.

In a year-to-year comparison, Tennessee’s unemployment rate decreased two-tenths of a percentage point, from 3.3% to 3.1%.

Between July and August 2024, total nonfarm employment across the state decreased by 1,400 jobs. The largest decrease was in the mining, logging, and construction sector, followed by the trade, transportation, and utilities sector and the leisure and hospitality sector.

Over the past year, Tennessee employers added 30,500 nonfarm jobs, with the largest increase in the education and health services sector, followed by the trade, transportation, and utilities sector, and other services.

TDLWD has compiled an analysis of the August 2024 unemployment data, which is available here.

Despite the increase in the unemployment rate over the last month, Tennessee’s rate is still well below the national rate of 4.2%. The U.S. rate decreased one-tenth of a percentage point, from 4.3% in July. The rate is four-tenths of a percentage point higher than it was in August 2023.

Whether you’re a recent college graduate looking for a job or a seasoned employee wanting a career change, American Job Centers (AJCs) are available to help meet your employment needs. AJCs provide free access to computers, and job seekers can attend on-site recruiting events and workshops on resume writing and interview skills. All Tennessee counties are served by an AJC with qualified staff. Click here to find the AJC closest to you.

The state of Tennessee will release the unemployment data for all 95 counties on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. CDT.

 

9/20/24

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee has been awarded $7 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help communities reduce vulnerability to natural hazards and build a more resilient state.

“Extreme weather events are going to occur and damage infrastructure. A barrier to implementing hazard mitigation projects, which are pivotal to building safer communities and a more resilient state, is the cost of capital,” said TEMA Director Patrick C. Sheehan. “I’m proud of the work done to secure this funding and look forward to providing local governments with the opportunity to secure loans and increase their access to these grant programs.”

The funding, provided through the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program, will equip the state with the ability to administer revolving low-interest loan funds to local governments to adapt infrastructure and better prepare communities.

Types of projects that can be funded through this program include, but are not limited to:
• Flood and stormwater projects;
• Relocating structures outside of flood-prone areas;
• Retrofitting structures to help reduce earthquake vulnerabilities;
• Creating safe spaces for help reduce tornado and severe weather vulnerabilities;
• Infrastructure and utility protective measures;
• Backup generators for critical facilities and infrastructure.

Along with Tennessee, FEMA selected 11 other recipients for a combined $150 million in grants. The selections are intended strengthen the nation’s resilience through mitigation with an emphasis on low-income and underserved communities that are often most vulnerable.

About the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency: TEMA’s mission is to coordinate preparedness, response and recovery from man-made, natural and technological hazards in a professional and efficient manner in concert with our stakeholders. Follow TEMA on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and at tn.gov/tema.

 

9/19/24

ATLANTA – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and Region 4 Administrator Robert Samaan announced today that South Carolina and Tennessee have been selected for a combined $16.1 million in grants to help communities reduce vulnerability to natural hazards.

Funding through the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program will provide more than $9.1 million to South Carolina and $7 million to Tennessee to administer revolving low-interest loan funds that will help local governments carry out hazard mitigation projects and build community climate resilience. Through this program, part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, states can direct loans to local governments to mitigate the effects of events like drought, intense heat, wildfires, floods and earthquakes.

“Helping communities invest in resilient infrastructure is the best defense we have as a nation to withstand tomorrow’s hazards,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, this program will provide states with the funding they need to help communities build resilience to protect against future hazards. I encourage more of our state, tribal, and territorial partners to apply for these funds to help keep their communities safe.”

South Carolina’s two proposed projects support safety and security and infrastructure resilience through structural retrofitting and utility protective measures. Tennessee plans to use its funding for 12 projects to purchase generators, retrofit structures, manage stormwater, implement infrastructure protective measures and to acquire, harden, or relocate safe spaces and existing emergency services, as needed.

“Both South Carolina and Tennessee developed their projects from existing local and state hazard mitigation plans,” said Region 4 Administrator Robert Samaan. “These improvements will go a long way in protecting these states and their citizens before disasters strike.”

The announcement aligns with the 2024 FEMA Year of Resilience and was made possible by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provides $500 million to fund the Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program through 2026. Along with South Carolina and Tennessee, FEMA selected 10 other states for a combined total of $150 million in grants.

The Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund Program complements FEMA’s hazard mitigation grant portfolio and the Justice40 initiative, which encourages states to direct 40 percent of the overall benefits generated by entity loan funds to disadvantaged communities.

FEMA also offers technical assistance through webinars, office hours, on-demand videos and program support materials that are publicly available to assist and encourage existing and future applicants to participate and make use of these innovative programs.

 

1. Marshall County Solid Waste will be having a committee meeting on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 5:00 pm. The meeting will be held at the Solid Waste facility located at 611 Hawkins Drive, Lewisburg.

Drive in Lewisburg, Tennessee.

2. The Marshall County Code Committee will meet on Thursday, October 3rd, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at the Marshall County Courthouse Annex, second floor, room 2204 Lewisburg, TN.

The agenda is as follows:
1. Establish an inspection fee schedule
2. Review a pay grading schedule per certifications obtained
3. Review a recommendation for the Marshall County Electrical Program
4. Establish guidelines for completed non-active unpaid permits

3. The Marshall County Board of Public Utilities will hold its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 9:00 am at 624 West Commerce Street, Lewisburg TN in the Doug Rogers Board Room.  All interested parties are invited to attend, further information about these, or other zoning matters may be obtained at the Marshall County Building Codes Office, Courthouse Annex, room 3301.

4. The Marshall County Emergency Communications District Board of Directors will have their regular scheduled monthly meeting October 22, 2024, at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held at the Marshall County EOC office located at 230 College St., Lewisburg, TN.

5. The Marshall County Budget Committee will meet Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 8:30am at the Marshall County Courthouse Annex in Room 2204,
Lewisburg.

6. The Nominating Committee of the Marshall County Commission will meet Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024, at 9am in Room 2204 on the Second Floor of the Marshall County Courthouse Annex.

7. MARSHALL COUNTY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES

Work Session Agenda
October 23, 2024
10:00 A.M.

Rules for Public Comment

1) Comments may only be made on items on the meeting agenda
2) The period of public comment will be 30 minutes maximum
3) The number of speakers allowed to speak during the public comment section is ten (10)
4) The length of time a speaker may speak is three (3) minutes
5) The speaker’s comments shall be addressed to the chairman of the board
6) Until further notice those desiring to provide public comment shall submit their name in person and in writing to the MCBPU office by 3:00 p.m. the day prior to the meeting. (items 1-5 are in effect)

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

III. WELCOME OF VISITORS

V. OPEN/CONTINUING BUSINESS

• AMI/AMR meters

VII. ADJOURNMENT

8. The Marshall County Board of Public Utilities will meet on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, for a work session to discuss AMI/AMR meters with a demonstration by UPM.

9. Marshall County Board of Commissioners’ regular monthly meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 28th at 6 pm in Room 2204 in the Marshall County Courthouse Annex.

10. The Marshall County Law Enforcement, Road and EMS Committees will meet on Monday, October 28th in the Marshall County Courthouse Annex, Room 2204. These meetings will meet in succession immediately after the completion of the Commission meeting which will begin at 6 p.m.).

11. There will be a meeting of the Marshall County Building Committee, Monday October 28, 2024, at 9am. The meeting will be held in Room 2204 on
the second floor of the Marshall County Annex located at 101 West Commerce Street in Lewisburg.

12. The Marshall County Veterans Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 29th at 5 p.m. in the Hardison Annex located at 230 College Street, Lewisburg.

 

9/17/24

 

NASHVILLE —The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) is accepting grant proposals for projects that will help improve water quality by reducing nonpoint source (NPS) pollution in the state.

“This cost share funding is a direct investment in improving water quality across Tennessee,” said Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, D.V.M. “By supporting projects that reduce pollutants in our natural water sources, we’re not only protecting the environment but also promoting the health of people and wildlife. Our focus is on watershed restoration and raising awareness about nonpoint source pollution.”

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution includes a variety of contaminants, such as sediment, urban runoff, excess fertilizers, pesticides, chemicals, and other pollutants that can affect both surface and groundwater.

Eligible applicants include local governments, regional agencies, soil and water conservation districts, state universities, and nonprofit organizations. The submission deadline is December 2, 2024.

This federal grant supports the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to combat NPS pollution, along with efforts in training, education, and water quality monitoring. Grant program priorities, incentives and evaluation criteria can be found online at www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/agriculture/documents/landwaterstewardship/fy-2025/FY2025%20319%20RFP.pdf.

Contact Dr. Sam Marshall at 615-837-5306 or sam.marshall@tn.gov with questions.

The Nonpoint Source Program was created in 1987 as part of the Clean Water Act. TDA’s Land and Water Stewardship Section manages the Tennessee NPS Program on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.