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April Unemployment Rate 7.8 Percent-State Unemployment Rate Drops for Ninth Consecutive Month

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development Karla Davis announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for April fell to 7.8 percent, down from the March revised rate of 7.9 percent. The national unemployment rate for April 2012 was 8.1 percent, 0.1 percentage point lower than the March rate.

“While Tennessee’s unemployment rate has declined for nine consecutive months, April’s decrease is mostly attributable to a shrinking labor force,” said Commissioner Davis. “This is similar to the monthly change that occurred on the national level.”

Economic Summary:

· The unemployment rate has declined for nine consecutive months.

· Tennessee’s April unemployment rate is the lowest since November 2008.

· The number of unemployed persons is the lowest since November 2008.

· The number of unemployed persons has declined for 16 consecutive months.

· The labor force has declined for four consecutive months.

Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Employment – Business Survey

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(Numbers in thousands) April 2011 Revised Preliminary Change from Change from

Mar. 2012 April 2012 April 2011 to Mar. 2012 to

April 2012 April 2012

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Total Nonfarm 2,652.5 2,694.1 2,695.8 43.3 1.7

Mining/logging/construction 108.2 115.1 113.9 5.7 -1.2

Manufacturing 303.6 310.2 312.0 8.4 1.8

Trade/transportation/utilities 561.7 557.3 558.9 -2.8 1.6

Information 44.3 44.2 44.1 -0.2 -0.1

Financial activities 135.1 135.5 135.2 0.1 -0.3

Professional/business services 320.5 329.4 327.6 7.1 -1.8

Education/health services 379.8 388.9 389.3 9.5 0.4

Leisure/hospitality 265.7 270.3 271.8 6.1 1.5

Other services 101.7 101.9 101.8 0.1

Government 431.9 441.3 441.2 9.3 -0.1

Published in Business News

Brentwood connection first to new statewide network

Tennessee's Next Generation 911 Connects to First Call Center

NASHVILLE- Tennessee’s Next Generation 911 (NG911) network has been connected to its first 911 call center. The initial connection, in Brentwood, begins a process that will connect 911 centers across the state to one of the nation’s first statewide, Internet Protocol (IP)-enabled 911 networks.

“This is digital 911,” said Tennessee Emergency Communications Board (TECB) Chair Randy Porter. “It’s a major stepping stone toward a state-of-the-art network that will improve public safety. NG911 will replace the analog network and increase the reliability of the 911 system. The statewide deployment will provide all Tennessee citizens with a more responsive emergency communications system that will offer improved function in the case of disaster.”

Because of the digital network, if one 911 center is knocked out of service, a center from another location will be able to pick up the calls seamlessly. This function is expected to result in saving both time and lives.

“We’re excited to be moving forward with the Next Generation 911 project,” said Lynn Questell, Executive Director of the TECB. “Not only will this network improve 911 operations, it will also save local Emergency Communications Districts millions of dollars a year in routing and trunking charges. We will be among the first states in the nation to have a truly statewide NG911 network. That’s a testament to the leadership of our Board and the strength of Tennessee’s 911 community.”

Questell noted that the TECB has carefully planned for the NG911 project and has partnered with the State of Tennessee’s digital network, NetTN, and with industry leaders AT&T and Telecommunications System, Inc. to bring it to fruition.

“It’s an amazing process,” Questell said. “It’s been a shared vision and we’re going to do all we can to ensure we get NG911 right every step of the way. The citizens of Tennessee deserve nothing less.”

The Tennessee Emergency Communications Board ensures that every citizen can effectively access the life-saving power of 911. The TECB is composed of nine members from across the state of Tennessee – including five 911 professionals and representatives of cities, counties and the general public. It is administratively attached to the Department of Commerce and Insurance, which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee. www.tn.gov/commerce/, @TNCommerceInsur (Twitter), http://on.fb.me/uFQwUZ (Facebook), http://bit.ly/ry1GyX (YouTube)

Published in Tech Talk

Tennessee enjoys bountiful apple crop, get yours

Tennessee’s burgeoning apple crop is expected to weigh in at about 8.5 million pounds, up a million pounds from last year. So how many bushels do you want?

This is could be a disconcerting question for apple lovers who like the idea of buying local, but have never thought beyond ounces and pounds. Fortunately, the Pick Tennessee Products website, www.picktnproducts.org, now features an equivalency chart for many of Tennessee’s most popular fruits and vegetables.

Most farm-direct fresh products are still allotted the way they were when Johnny Appleseed was handing out future orchards by the scoopful. Go to any farmers market, and you’ll see baskets of fresh, local produce divvied up into baskets and bags that no longer have meaning for most Americans.

Newbie localvores may have trouble figuring out how many baskets of a product they’ll need to satisfy what their applesauce recipes require or fill the number jars they need in their pantries. Further, a bushel of apples will be heavier than a bushel of green beans, which weighs less than a bushel of potatoes, and so forth.

A typical bushel of apples weighs about 48 lbs. That means a half bushel would be about 24 lbs. That half bushel is made up of two pecks, and since there are 4 pecks in a bushel, a peck equals 12 lbs.

“Once you’ve divided down to a peck, you’re probably in familiar territory,” says Pamela Bartholomew, agritourism specialist with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. “There are 8 quarts in a peck, and quarts and gallons are kitchen measurements we all understand.”

“Our new website chart goes all the way from bushels down to a ‘pinch,’ though, just in case,” says Bartholomew. “The chart starts with an approximate weight for a bushel of a particular fruit or vegetable. From there a cook can keep dividing down the chart until those familiar recipe measures appear.”

“Go to the Pick Tennessee Products home page,” says the specialist, “then click on ‘Food’ at the left hand side of the page. From the ‘Food’ page, click on ‘Fruits and Vegetables’ to find the handy measures conversion guide.” Pick Tennessee Products, a Tennessee Department of Agriculture promotion, is currently celebrating its 25th year. The service was developed to help consumers identify and choose farm-direct, artisan and other locally made foods. The site includes lists of farms, farmers markets, seasonal recipes and seasonal on-farm activities.

“A beautiful October day is a good enough reason to head out to a local orchard,” says Bartholomew, “but we want to make it easy for people to get the most use out of these fresh, local apples, too. This new chart on our website lets customers come to the orchard confident they’ll be able to use everything they buy.”

Apples are ready for picking across the state and will be available through Oct. Many Tennessee orchards offer pre-picked apples as well as homemade goods made with apples, including fruit pies, jellies, jams and fresh cider. Find Tennessee apple orchards and farmers markets with Tennessee apples at www.picktnproducts.org and follow Pick Tennessee Products on Facebook and Twitter.

Published in Food

Tennesseans join World No Tobacco Day

The Tennessee Department of Health encourages Tennesseans who use tobacco to take part in World No Tobacco Day, May 31, by contacting the QuitLine to start their journey to a tobacco-free life. The Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine, 1-800-QUIT-NOW, provides free personalized, confidential counseling to help each caller set a plan for quitting use of cigarettes or other tobacco products. The same help to stop tobacco use is also now available to state residents online at www.tnquitline.com.

“Too many Tennesseans die each year from preventable illnesses linked to tobacco use,” said Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN. “World No Tobacco Day is the perfect opportunity for Tennesseans to embrace a tobacco-free lifestyle, and contacting the QuitLine is a great way to make the transition with the help of an expert.”

According to the World Health Organization, tobacco use is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and is currently responsible for killing one in 10 adults around the globe. WHO says tobacco use is also responsible for the deaths of more than a half-million people who die from exposure to secondhand smoke; many of those deaths are among children. In Tennessee, heart disease is the leading cause of death, and cancer and stroke rank in the top five. Tobacco use is a contributing factor to all of these illnesses.

The Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine can help by connecting people who want to quit smoking or using other tobacco products with trained quit coaches to guide and support them through the quitting process. Individuals receive ongoing professional counseling via scheduled calls or online contact with a quit coach personally assigned to them. This confidential service is free and available to Tennesseans in both English and Spanish. The service is also available for the deaf and hard of hearing at TTY: 1-877-559-3816.

Research shows it takes most smokers at least seven attempts to successfully quit smoking. Many QuitLine clients say their quit coach was the key to their success.

“I have tried several times to quit,” said Molly S. of Maryville. “My health coach is the one who has helped me the most. I know that I am quit for life now.”

Molly celebrated her one year anniversary of quitting smoking on April 10, 2011, after having smoked for 50 years. She says her quit coach still calls her.

“She was so enthused about my progress, and she was right with me all the way,” says Beverly P. of Manchester about her coach. ”Even though I never met her, I feel like I know her so well, and I didn’t want to let her down. That was my motivation: I just didn’t want to disappoint her. And I know I’m doing it for myself, too.”

Really wanting to quit smoking or chewing tobacco is very important to the success you will have in quitting. Smokers who live after a heart attack are the most likely to quit for good; they’re very motivated. Find a reason for quitting, before you have no choice.

Those contacting the QuitLine have complimentary access to relapse prevention techniques, printed resource materials, information on nicotine replacement therapies and other services to aid in the quitting process.

Call the Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine today at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669), or visit the website at www.tnquitline.com. The Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine is a statewide, toll-free tobacco cessation program made possible through the Tennessee Department of Health. There is no charge to callers for services and callers have unlimited access to a quit coach through the QuitLine. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Central time.

Those with Internet access may join the QuitLine program online at www.tnquitline.com. Create your tobacco profile by answering a few questions, and trained coaches will create a quit program just for you based on your health, preferences and goals. Participants who enroll online will also work one-on-one with their quit coach on strategies for quitting tobacco for life.

Created by the World Health Assembly in 1987, World No Tobacco Day is an annual observance designed to draw global attention to the dangers of using tobacco and arm people with tools to claim their right to a healthy tobacco-free lifestyle.

Published in Local News

State's unemployment rate up slightly to 9.6%

Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development Karla Davis announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for April was 9.6 percent, up 0.1 from the March rate. The national unemployment rate for April 2011 was 9.0 percent, 0.2 percentage point higher than the March rate.

“Tennessee’s unemployment rate experienced a 0.1 percentage point increase from March because of a substantial increase in the number of people looking for a job,” said Labor Commissioner Karla Davis.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
March 2011 to April 2011

According to the Business Survey, leisure and hospitality increased by 7,800 jobs; trade, transportation and utilities increased by 4,800 jobs; and administrative, support, and waste services increased by 2,400 jobs. Major employment decreases occurred in local government, down by 1,900; professional, scientific, and technical services declined by 900; healthcare and social assistance by 500, and finance and insurance declined by 500 jobs.

Major Changes in Estimated Nonagricultural Employment
April 2010 to April 2011

Year-over-year increases occurred in educational and health services, up by 8,600; trade, transportation, and utilities gained 7,300; and professional and business services was up by 5,900. Year-over-year decreases occurred in government, down by 5,500; nondurable goods manufacturing lost 1,800; and other services decreased by 900.

Published in Local News

April Unemployment Rate 7.8 Percent-State Unemployment Rate Drops for Ninth Consecutive Month

Brentwood connection first to new statewide network

Tennessee enjoys bountiful apple crop, get yours

Tennesseans join World No Tobacco Day

State's unemployment rate up slightly to 9.6%

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