Industrial Development Board outlines corrective steps after annual review identifies compliance gaps in workforce incentive agreements
By Heather Thomas
Three companies — Ficosa, SAIC and Milwaukee Tool — are not currently in full compliance with incentive agreements under the county’s pilot workforce contract program (PWC), according to officials. The Putnam County Industrial Development Board (PCIDB) recently presented findings from its annual review of agreements with participating companies.
The PWC program is intended to reaffirm the board’s commitment to supporting local employers while ensuring compliance with state requirements. According to the board, the goal is strong economic development and responsible oversight, including pursuing financial remedies when necessary.
Under Tennessee law governing industrial development boards, officials are required to identify and implement mechanisms to address and resolve compliance gaps.
The workforce incentive program, designed to strengthen the local labor market and support job creation, provides structured agreements between Putnam County and participating industrial employers. Those agreements establish workforce benchmarks and compliance standards tied to continued economic impact.
Following the presentation, board members and community leaders discussed meeting directly with company leadership to outline the issues and establish corrective action plans.
Despite the findings, board leadership emphasized the importance of the companies to Putnam County and a collaborative path forward.
“These vital industries are an important part of the Putnam County workforce, and we are eager to move forward in helping them individually move into compliance,” said Industrial Development Board Chairman Dr. Robert Bell.
The companies cited in the review are significant contributors to the local and regional economy:
- Ficosa, a global provider specializing in automotive vision, safety and advanced mobility systems, maintains a strong presence in Putnam County as part of its international manufacturing and research network.
- SAIC (Science Applications International Corporation) is a major technology integrator serving government and commercial clients worldwide, advancing innovation across defense, intelligence and federal civilian sectors.
- Milwaukee Tool, the Wisconsin-based manufacturer of professional-grade hand and power tools, operates a major manufacturing facility in Putnam County, contributing to the company’s expanding U.S. production footprint.
Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter says leadership intends to resolve this while maintaining strong relationships with the employers.
“All three of these companies are large, quality companies that have provided hundreds of jobs for our community for several years now, and we look forward to that continuing,” Porter said. “The Industrial Development Board, the Chamber and county leadership will move swiftly to resolve the matter.”
The WIP is a strategic component of Putnam County’s broader economic development framework. Its goals are to:
- strength workforce participation
- supporting industrial growth
- ensure accountability for public-private partnerships
What’s next? According to officials, the county will work with each company and identify a clear pathway toward compliance. That “cooperative engagement” will light a path forward.
Leaders described the approach as cooperative and solution-focused.
In other business:
- The Industrial Development Board elected officers to serve in leadership roles for the upcoming term.
- Dr. Robert Bell was reelected as Chairman
- Cheryl Sandlin was elected Vice-Chairperson
- Phillip Baker was elected Secretary/Treasurer.
Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik.
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