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Welcome
- A Message from the County Executive, John Pelham
It is an honor and a privilege to continue to serve the citizens of Warren County as County Executive. With my second term of office in full swing, my commitment to represent the people of our county with dignity and respect has not diminished. It is my sincere desire to assist every citizen when needs arise, and I welcome the opportunity to speak personally with each of you.
In an effort to remain informed about local government issues, I completed the County Officials Certificate Training Program provided by the University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS) and obtained the designation of Certified Public Administrator. I regularly attend CTAS workshops and training sessions to ensure that we are apprised of any changes which might directly affect our county. My office maintains open lines of communication with local, state and federal officials. We have an excellent working relationship with Senator Eric Stewart, Representative Charlie Curtiss and Representative Judd Matheny. Pertinent statewide legislation of interest is thoroughly researched and discussed, and I work personally with our state legislators to present the positive or negative impact of proposed legislation. We are frequently in contact with the staffs of U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker as well as U.S. Congressman Scott DesJarlais regarding federal legislation which could carry repercussions for state and county governments.
Education remains a top priority of my administration. The impressive educational resources available in Warren County are evidence of the importance of this issue to our community. Public and private schools serve students in grades PreK-12. An expansion and renovation currently in progress at Dibrell Elementary School is scheduled to open in Fall 2011, and a new facility at Morrison Elementary School is scheduled to open in Fall 2012. Advanced technical training is available at the Tennessee Technology Center. Associate and bachelor degrees may be obtained through Motlow State Community College. The newly-implemented Mechatronics Program at Motlow prepares students for highly-skilled positions in the industrial environment. The local Mechatronics Program, one of only two programs of its type in the State of Tennessee, has proven to be very successful and boasts a 100% job placement rate for students who have completed the program. Two scholarship fund programs have been established to encourage local students of all ages to further their educations. The GED Scholarship Program covers the cost of GED testing for students who have completed preparation for their high school diploma equivalency tests but are unable to afford the cost of testing. The Citizens for Progress Scholarship Program (CFP), now in its third year, is a “last-dollar” scholarship available to qualifying local seniors which enables them to attend Motlow or the Technology Center for two years tuition-free. Both the GED and CFP Scholarship Programs receive funding from business and private donations.
Significant development has occurred in the Mountain View Industrial Park, including completion of two roads within the park; completion of the second Speculative Building and its subsequent leasing to Wisconsin-based Miniature Precision Components; and current construction of a third Speculative Building. Expansion of infrastructure and services is a positive economic indicator. Through cooperative efforts of federal, state and local government agencies, several major projects have received substantial funding and are either completed or underway at this time.
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A number of local and regional agencies provide critical services to our citizens. During my tenure I have come to realize that when circumstances occur that intensify the needs of an individual or family, local service agencies tap their funding sources to provide the necessary avenues of assistance. The Upper Cumberland Development District (UCDD) and Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA) strive not only to make certain that essential basic needs are met, but also to improve the lives of citizens in Warren County and throughout the Upper Cumberland region.
Growth of established industry and recruitment of new industry is key to the economic vitality of our county. Long-time industrial residents such as Jarden/Oster, Yorozu Automotive, Bridgestone, and Morrison Tool & Fab consistently maintain high employee enrollment. The stability of established industries—along with evidence of the growth of younger industries—indicates a positive outlook for future employment opportunities.