Tennessee, like the rest of the country, has been hit hard by the ongoing recession that has hurt our families and communities. State lawmakers must make job creation and protection their top priorities. Only when we put Tennesseans back to work will we be able to start improving our quality of life and fulfilling our hopes of building a better future.
I am serious about putting West Tennessee back to work. This year, I led the way to help our small businesses by supporting a $10 million Small Business Jobs Opportunity Fund, and I fought to save the West Tennessee Megasite by securing over $30 million in state and federal funds to develop it. We must continue to create an environment here in Tennessee that attracts companies and encourages entrepreneurs to start businesses and grow jobs.
I will continue working with federal officials to keep jobs at the Milan Arsenal. More than 600 West Tennesseans have well-paying jobs at the arsenal, but now an out-of-state contractor wants to move those jobs to Iowa. The arsenal is more than an employer; it’s a part of community life that we’re proud of. We will continue to fight for these jobs.
Supporting our farmers
We must also support our farmers, who form the backbone of Tennessee’s economy. Farming accounts for more than 25% of Tennessee’s GDP. I worked to restore over $16 million Agriculture Enhancement Grants that help farmers adjust quickly to changing demands and provide the numerous Tennessee products that we all enjoy. We can’t afford to overlook our farmers and the impact they have on both our economy and well-being.