COOKEVILLE – The Highlands Economic Partnership hosted their Phase V fundraising launch on Thursday, Sept. 15.
The HEP Phase V launch included the new framework for community and business initiatives, new hire announcements, Matt Billings – Coordinator of Economic Development and Turner Fain – Coordinator of Workforce Development, details regarding the newly established Highlands Training Center and the official announcement of CareerFest that will be held both in person and virtually.
The four primary initiatives for the Highlands Phase V will be to raise the median household income, fill job vacancies within the region, bolster a workforce pipeline and to strategically recruit businesses to meet community needs.
“We are excited to see all the accomplishments our Highlands team will have during Phase V, the precedent this will set for the future of The Highlands Economic Partnership and the impacts we will make in our communities for generations to come,” says Amy New, President and CEO of The Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce.
The Phase V launch will provide the groundwork going forward for the significant impacts the Highlands Economic Partnership plans to make within the region. When asked about Phase V, VP of Economic Development Adam Poe stated, “The pulse of any community is found in its business community. The Highlands Economic Partnership is turning a new page as we enter in a brand-new phase focusing on improving the quality of life for its citizens by providing opportunities for businesses to grow and prosper. We have ambitious goals and are ready to execute all the strategic plans our team has developed over the last year.”
The Highlands Economic Partnership (HEP), established in 2006 by The Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce as the Highlands Initiative, is a collaborative, public/private sector program designed to boost economic development and community development in Jackson, Overton, Putnam and White counties. The HEP is funded by federal, state, city and county governments and agencies, chambers of commerce, key officials and business leaders throughout the Upper Cumberland region.
