Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Arconic officials announced today that the aluminum manufacturer is expanding its operations in Blount County.
Arconic is investing more than $100 million to support recently announced expanded capacity for manufacturing industrial and can sheet. The project brings 200 new jobs to its Alcoa facility, where it has operated for more than 100 years.
Arconic is a leading provider of aluminum sheet, plate and extruded products for the ground transportation, aerospace, packaging and industrial markets. The company is also a key supplier to the building and construction market, providing architects and builders with innovative products and systems to create high-performing buildings.
Originally founded as Alcoa, the company has origins going back more than 120 years. Alcoa supplied aluminum for many notable moments in American history, including providing aluminum parts for the Wright Brothers’ airplane in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, paving the way for modern aerospace.
Over the last five years, TNECD has supported nearly 10 economic development projects in Blount County, accounting for more than 2,800 job commitments and roughly $1.3 billion in capital investment.
QUOTES
“Arconic is a leading employer in Blount County with a storied history in the American aluminum manufacturing sector. I’m grateful to Arconic for creating 200 new jobs and being a valued member of the business community in Blount County for over 100 years.” – Gov. Bill Lee
“Arconic’s investment of more than $100 million is excellent news for Alcoa and Blount County. Our job at TNECD is to support high-quality job growth across the state, and we thank Arconic for its ongoing commitment and investment in East Tennessee.” – TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe
“This expansion enables Arconic to help meet the strong customer demand for industrial products and can sheet. As consumers are moving away from plastics for more sustainable products, infinitely recyclable aluminum is the perfect solution. We appreciate the state’s continued support which enables us to create more jobs and advance economic growth in Tennessee, where we’ve been proudly operating for more than 100 years.” – Nandu Srinivasan, president of Arconic Global Rolled Products, North America
“TVA congratulates Arconic on its decision to expand operations and create job opportunities and investment in Blount County. Helping to support companies, like Arconic, create quality jobs and investment in the Valley is fundamental to TVA’s mission of service and we are proud to partner with the Blount Partnership and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to help further that mission and celebrate this announcement together.” – John Bradley, TVA senior vice president of Economic Development
“This is great news. Arconic’s decision to expand in Blount County is a testament to our strong school systems, incredible quality of life and the commitment to developing a skilled workforce. I congratulate them and all of our state and local officials who have worked tirelessly to bring these new job opportunities to our communities. It is an honor to partner with them in this effort.” – Sen. Art Swann (R-Maryville)
“Arconic’s decision to expand their operations in Alcoa is great news. I am confident they will continue the legacy of being a world-class, high-quality producer of aluminum products. I appreciate the work of our state and local partners for securing this expansion and am grateful to Arconic for their continued support of our local workforce and community.” – Rep. Jerome Moon (R-Maryville)
Cirrus Aircraft announced several additions to its suite of owners’ services dedicated to enhancing the aircraft ownership experience. The Cirrus IQ™ app and its connected aircraft capabilities were further bolstered with new features and added convenience. SR Series owners can upgrade the appearance of their aircraft with new interior and exterior upgrades. The new FLEX™ Cargo Management System for the Vision Jet was also announced. In support of new pilots entering aviation or those pursuing their instrument rating, Cirrus announced personalized, concierge flight training offerings at its training facilities in Knoxville, Tennessee and McKinney, Texas. Supporting owners service and support needs, Cirrus has added a Mobile Service Team for maintenance and AOG services and additional FAA Repair Station authorizations in Duluth, Minnesota; Knoxville, Tennessee and McKinney, Texas.
“As Cirrus Aircraft and our family of owners around the world continues to grow, we recognize the importance of extending our relentless pursuit of innovation into the overall ownership experience,” said Zean Nielsen, Chief Executive Officer at Cirrus Aircraft. “Our team is continuing to revolutionize personal aviation by delivering world-class innovation, connectivity and services to make owning a Cirrus aircraft rewarding, safe and simple for a lifetime of ownership.”
These new offerings will add value and versatility for the more than 8,000 owners of SR Series aircraft, which continues to be the best-selling high-performance piston for nineteen years in a row, and the more than 265 Vision Jet owners, which continues to be the best-selling jet in general aviation.
New Features Added to Cirrus IQ™ Mobile App Keep Owners Connected to the Cirrus Partner Network
Announced today, new updates and features to the Cirrus IQ™ mobile app will enhance the ability for owners and operators of SR Series aircraft equipped with Cirrus IQ™ to remotely access critical aircraft and flight related information. The new release introduces two new features, Find Us and Technical Publications. Find Us allows you to quickly locate authorized service and training partners near you, as well as Cirrus Campuses, directly within the app. Technical Publications lists and provides push notifications for technical publication updates that are applicable to your specific aircraft.
Launched in 2020 for new model year SR Series aircraft, the Cirrus IQ™ mobile app provides a real-time digital connection to the airplane from virtually anywhere in the world.
New Appearance Upgrades and Enhancements for the SR Series
Cirrus Aircraft is now offering interior and exterior aftermarket upgrades for the SR Series to fully enhance the aircraft. The Interior and Exterior Upgrades are offered in a variety of options that allow owners to upgrade the appearance of their aircraft to add distinctive ramp presence.
Owners of G3 and G5 SR Series aircraft can choose from the sporty Chicane or classic Ascend package – both packages include a range of color options to refresh the exterior and interior, along with a complete rewrap of interior panels and upgraded carpet.
Owners of G1 and G2 SR Series aircraft have access to the new Encore package, which includes an upgraded stripe kit in an array of colors, along with black handles and steps.
All three Interior and Exterior packages are currently available, with limited openings in 2021 and 2022. The upgrades are performed by Cirrus Aircraft’s Factory Service Center in Knoxville, TN. Design appointments can be made by contacting [email protected].
Convenient Cargo Solutions for the Vision Jet
Designed to bring added versatility and flexibility to the Vision Jet, the new FLEX Cargo Management System™ enables the convenient storing of cargo in the cabin. The FLEX system adapts to the existing seat positions in the Vision Jet cabin using a suite of attachments to easily and safely stow a variety of cargo – including bikes, luggage, golf clubs, coolers and more.
Manufactured by Cirrus Aircraft, the FLEX system adds no additional weight to the aircraft and extends the aircraft’s ability to carry more items securely in the cabin. The FLEX system is available for pre-order for G1, G2 and G2+ Vision Jets and is anticipated to begin delivering in the first quarter of 2022.
Concierge Flight Training in Knoxville and McKinney
Launched at the company’s facilities in Knoxville, Tennessee and McKinney, Texas, the new Cirrus Flight Training program gives customers access to the world’s best-selling SR Series and expert instructors for a concierge experience, focused on concentrated learning on your schedule. With all skill levels in mind, Cirrus Flight Training includes the ability to earn your Private Pilot’s License (PPL) or Instrument Rating, as well as recurrent or specialty training.
Cirrus Flight Training includes scenario-based learning in a new G6 SR22 equipped with the latest technology, including the Perspective+™ by Garmin® flight deck. Developing pilots and current pilots undergoing flight training in the program also gain access to the company’s award-winning library of on demand videos and courses through Cirrus Approach™. More information about the program, including scheduling a lesson, can be found at cirrusaircraft.com/learn-to-fly.
Student pilots and current pilots outside of the Knoxville and McKinney areas have access to expert flight training – including PPL, IFR, transition and recurrent flight training – through the more than 500 independent Cirrus Training Centers and Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilots around the world.
Expansion of Maintenance and Support Services
Keeping customer and aircraft support a priority, Cirrus Aircraft further supplemented the Service and Support experience with new programs and services, including a new Mobile Service Team serving aircraft on ground (AOG) customers in the areas surrounding Orlando, Florida. The Mobile Service Team joins a variety of added support services at the company’s facilities in Duluth, Knoxville and McKinney.
Additional growth to the company’s Service and Support offering includes certifications that enhance the ownership experience, including Part 145 certification at both facilities in Knoxville, Tennessee and McKinney, Texas, as well as the more recent announcement of the Knoxville facility becoming a Garmin Certified Authorized Service Center.
For customers beyond these areas, Cirrus Aircraft’s network of more than 200 independent Authorized Service Centers feature trained technicians with access to genuine Cirrus Aircraft parts and the latest procedures to ensure world-class service and support across the globe.
Facilities Expansion
Growth in overall facilities and employment was also noted across the company’s locations, including significant expansion of career opportunities in engineering, flight training and production. This growth includes the addition of new engineering centers in Chandler, Arizona, and McKinney, Texas.
Launched in 2018, Cirrus Services is a dedicated, customer-focused business unit within Cirrus Aircraft dedicated to building lifetime relationships with customers by addressing needs before, during and after initial aircraft ownership. Combining Flight Training, Parts and Upgrades and Service and Support into a single company division, Cirrus Services is designed to deliver complete support and care for pilots, owners and operators of Cirrus aircraft throughout a lifetime of ownership.
Maryville College has partnered with Maryville-based NS4ed to provide research-based internship opportunities for students.
NS4ed is a rising leader and valued education partner that “seeks to improve system processes and outcomes through an engaging approach to practice and implementation design,” according to its website. It partners with state and local entities to provide research, policy and practice deliverables that yield high value and actionable results in the education environment. To support career readiness efforts, Pathway2Careersä offers a critical bridge between education and industry that can help educators connect with the realities of their local job market.
NS4ed’s relationship with Maryville College began through work with the Blount County Chamber of Commerce in developing “career cluster pathway maps” designed to assist students and job seekers with identifying high-value career opportunities in the area, said Dr. Danielle Tallent, chief learning officer for NS4ed. For this project, Jessica Belitz, director of events and partnership programs with the Chamber, gathered education leaders from local community colleges and school districts to provide input.
“Christy McDonald Slavick (then-director of the Maryville College Career Center, now director of strategic initiatives at MC) was a valued and active participant in the project,” Tallent said. “As our company began to grow and reach out to local institutions to fill open positions, my path crossed again with Christy. Having remembered our work in career readiness programs, Christy suggested we connect with the intern program at Maryville College.”
“The reputation of Maryville College in offering high-quality, well-rounded education to its students is well-known in the area,” Tallent continued. “Thus, we were honored and eager to invite Maryville College students to our company. Today, we work in a joint effort with five MC students to support the needs of our company, while also helping students grow toward their career goals. I’ve said this many times … we simply could not do what we do without the support of our MC interns. They are skilled, professional and simply a joy to have in our office!”
Additionally, Dr. Joseph Goins, the chief executive officer of the company, has a Maryville College connection – he is the son of MC alumnus J.L. Goins ’63.
Several Maryville College students and alumni are working with NS4ed this summer, as part of this new partnership.
Kirksey Croft ’21, a political science major from Maryville, Tenn.; Baileigh Goforth ’21, a psychology and criminal justice double major from Maryville, Tenn.; and Antonella Moscoso ’22, a literature in English major from Kodak, Tenn., are completing internships as research assistants. In this role, they support project work related to K-12 education and career preparation programs. They work with the company on several education and career-focused projects at a variety of levels – from initial concept development to implementation of products and services – and are gaining experience in literature and content reviews, data collection and analysis, technical writing, creative content development, team planning, and solution generating.
MC alumnus Nico Velez ’18, who majored in mathematics at MC, is working as a part-time math writer, and Meredith Bonee ’22, an international business major from Powell, Tenn., is completing an internship as a marketing assistant with the company.
NS4ed has had “a wonderful experience” with the internship program offered in partnership with Maryville College, Tallent said, and the company is excited to work with more Maryville College students in the future.
“The students on our team have been a tremendous addition to our company. They are both highly skilled and exhibit incredible professionalism in their interaction with our staff and our clients,” Tallent said. “Because of the work they do within our company, we have been able to increase our delivery of high-quality products and resources to our K-12 partners. Furthermore, Maryville College has supported our company every step of the way from locating interns to ensuring we offer successful experiences for the students. We are grateful for Maryville College and their amazing students who have become part of our NS4ed family.”
A valuable learning experience
Croft, who graduated from Maryville College in May, said she was initially interested in the research assistant internship because it offered an opportunity to sharpen her research skills and explore education policy more in depth while establishing herself with a business outside of her current connections.
“However, one of the biggest reasons I chose this internship actually came after I did more in-depth research on the company and its mission,” Croft said. “Joseph Goins, our CEO, strongly motivates us to conduct additional volunteer hours and community service outside of our work. It is important for those who work for Pathway2Careers/NS4ed to also have ties to our local community.”
Croft said that during the internship, she learned how to be more accurate and precise in her research and data entry skills.
“As a political science major, I already had a lot of experience taking real world issues or ideas and analyzing them down through research to more direct data points and evidence pieces,” Croft explained. “However, I did not have much experience actually taking that research and changing it to fit certain criteria, codes and formats to become something that a company is able to use for greater purposes. At my internship, I was responsible for all parts of the research process in that not only did I search and locate various data points through a number of research platforms, I also created ways through Microsoft, Adobe and other platforms which allow that information to be processed by the company and clients effectively. This has really been so valuable.”
“It has given me experience in an incredibly positive and healthy working environment, surrounded by very intellectual and driven individuals, as well as allowed me to fill in that extra missing puzzle piece of applying skills that you learn in class to the ‘real world,’” she added.
In the future, Croft plans to attend law school and pursue a dual degree program that allows her to become a practicing attorney who holds a master’s degree in a related business or international studies program.
“This internship, which is now my current job, is incredibly helpful in that I am constantly utilizing new research skills and learning more about the business world through each work day,” she said. “This internship is helping me understand the inner workings of independent businesses, which I hope to have myself in the future, as well as how effective and precise my future research and work as an attorney will need to be. I also am learning so much about the education and labor market world that I never knew before, which I hope I will be able to apply to more research in my future career and potentially cases or policy, as well.”
A manufacturing and engineering camp was held at Pellissippi State Community College’s Blount County campus June 21-24, where students got to experience and learn about different facets manufacturing as well as engineering their own project.
The Blount Partnership is a proud partner with PSCC on this effort. This opportunity is made possible for local high school students through the Tennessee GIVE grant.
Longtime Blount County Economic Development board member Fred Lawson was installed as chair emeritus for his more than five decades of service to the board, and for his leadership, fiscal responsibility and strong economic development commitment.
Lawson has been instrumental in recruiting and aiding high profile companies such as Amazon, DENSO, Arconic, Cirrus Aircraft, Rubbermaid and ProNova. More than 100 company relocations and expansions have occurred during his time on the board, as well as the creation of more than 20,000 direct jobs in Blount County.
Lawson has worked with the board and helped to create new economic development initiatives for the community which has benefited from his involvement in producing a good quality of life for our citizens and the region.
NAI Koella | RM Moore announced today that, Vital at Springbrook Farm (“Vital”), a new Class A, resort-style multifamily project is expected to break ground in the fourth quarter within Springbrook Farm, a large mixed-use development in Alcoa, Tennessee. Vital will feature 300 luxury apartment units and will be located on the corners of Tesla and Centennial Boulevards. The developer is a joint venture formed by Bluedog Capital Partners (“Bluedog”) and StoneRiver Company (“StoneRiver”). JDavis, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, is the architect, and C2RL, Inc., located in Alcoa, is the civil engineer. The team anticipates the project to be completed by the end of 2022.
RESIGHT as Airport Center Development Partners, the master developers of Springbrook Farm, started working on the old Alcoa West Plant in 2007 with visions of creating a mixed-use lifestyle development including retail, restaurants and a residential component. With the help of the City of Alcoa, C2RL, Inc., Ensafe and Geoservices, LLC, RESIGHT created a master plan to bring life to the old brownfield development.
The Bluedog team, led by Richard Tasca, Kevin Maloof and Sarah Harris, began the vision for Vital in 2016. Harris was establishing a Bluedog office in Knoxville when she contacted the listing brokers, NAI Koella | RM Moore. Bluedog found Blount County to be the ideal place to develop additional housing given its proximity to three major interstates, strong job growth, top school systems and limited housing supply with increasing demand. In 2019, Bluedog entered a purchase agreement to acquire two prime parcels totaling 10 acres at the entrance of the town center.
“Our teams at Bluedog and StoneRiver are proud to be a crucial part of the exciting mixed-use development evolving at Springbrook Farm,” said Tasca. “Vital at Springbrook will take its place as a premier 300-unit resort style apartment community focused on the great outdoors and quality of life in Alcoa, Blount County. Strong job and population growth, coupled with the support of County and City officials gives us great confidence in our investment. Springbrook Farm is shaping up to be a dynamic and vibrant community containing hospitality, retail, residential, event and other lifestyle amenities supported by the continued expansion of the Airport, Knoxville and overall pro-business environment.”
In 2021, with the assistance of Mike Kemether at Cushman & Wakefield, Bluedog and StoneRiver formed a joint venture to bring Vital to life. StoneRiver, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, and led by Joseph Welden, has a proven and extensive history with multifamily development and management. Since 1995, StoneRiver has acquired, developed, leased, managed and/or sold over $1 billion of real estate. StoneRiver is fully vertically integrated, with in-house property management, development and construction management capabilities. Vital will be StoneRiver’s third multifamily project in the Knoxville area – StoneRiver developed The Village at Westland
Cove Apartments between 2017 and 2019 and acquired The Ridge at Hamilton Crossing Apartments in April of 2021. “We are excited to be involved in another Class A project in West Knoxville. Vital at Springbrook Farm will be a unique property that will cater to the strong and growing demand for quality housing in the Alcoa submarket,” said Welden.
Springbrook Farm will feature a walkable community, outdoor amenities and a wide array of restaurants and retail tenants. Recently, Company Distilling announced it will be opening a whiskey manufacturing facility at Springbrook Farm in 2022, featuring a tasting room, brewery and retail store that will host ample outdoor activities and entertainment. Additionally, greenway trails will also run through the mixed-use development, offering several walking and biking options.
Each unit at Vital will feature an open floor plan with balconies, luxury finishes and all of the latest amenities. The unit mix will contain studios, one-bedroom units and two-bedrooms units, with one or two baths. The amenities will include a resort style pool, cabanas, an outdoor pavilion, grilling stations, firepits and incredible views of the Smoky Mountains. The community will have access to the greenway trails providing residents with walkability and convenient access to the rest of the Springbrook Farm development.
StoneRiver will manage Vital’s construction, as well as the lease-up and day-to-day management of the property. The group hopes to begin pre-leasing units by Fall 2022.
ABOUT NAI KOELLA | RM MOORE
NAI Koella | RM Moore has been in operation in Knoxville, Tennessee since 1983, providing full-service commercial real estate brokerage support, including the disciplines of Retail, Office, Industrial, Investment Brokerage, Asset Management, Property Management, Consulting & Multifamily. NAI Koella I RM Moore is an organization of professionally trained brokers with international reach and local expertise in commercial real estate. Providing full-service commercial real estate brokerage support to Middle and East Tennessee.
ABOUT BLUEDOG CAPITAL PARTNERS
Founded in 2001 by Sean N. Marchionte and Richard R. Tasca, Bluedog Capital Partners, LLC is a boutique real estate investment firm located in the financial district of Providence, Rhode Island. Bluedog has built its portfolio of business through real estate debt and equity investments ranging from offering private capital to the fix and flip industry to large-scale commercial and hospitality ventures. The company has participated in ventures throughout the United States.
ABOUT STONERIVER COMPANY
StoneRiver is a team-driven company that acquires, develops, and manages multifamily real estate opportunities.
For nearly 25 years we have grown into an investment company that has invested over $1 Billion in assets across the Southeast. What sets us apart is not only the tenured team behind our investment strategies, but also the value we create through focused property and asset management. Our expertise in Southeast markets and our track record as owners and operators has consistently proven to generate superior risk-adjusted returns.
Twenty-four students from five area high schools took part in Blount County Job Signing Day activities at the Airport Hilton as they inked with 13 local companies to begin their careers.
Molly Marantos from William Blount High School signs to work at DENSO.
These seniors either took career and technical education (CTE) courses on a career pathway, earned an industry certification in school, or participated in work-based Learning (WBL).
“For quite some time, ‘vocational education’ developed a stigma. High school students were under the impression that the only way to reach their full potential was to go to a four-year university,” said Blount County Schools Career and Technical Education Assistant Principal Lisa Collins. “But what we know now is that career and technical education is in high demand and is leading to employment and careers that allow our students to reach their fullest potential.”
Students are taking positions in welding, advanced manufacturing, coding, electrical apprenticeships, aquatics manager, rigging technicians and nursing assistants.
Companies offering these students positions are ICC International, Avero Advisors, Danny Davis Electric, Boatmate Trailers, Cherokee Millwright, Smoky Mountain Gymnastics, Royal Metal Powders, Blount Memorial Hospital, Viper Customs, Cornerstone of Recovery, Resource MFG, Xtreme Tower Products and Massey Electric.
Presented by the Blount Partnership, it promotes the notion that although every student’s path may be different, and sometimes nontraditional, there are opportunities for meaningful careers in Blount County for everyone. It also celebrates the fact that there are multiple opportunities for high school students to explore and begin preparing for careers. Some students are going on to start their careers full-time, some are going to do a combination of school and work, and some are going to work now with the plan of starting school later.
“We have worked with educators, businesses and the community to change the perceptions of certain careers that were labeled as dirty and dangerous with low pay,” said Blount Partnership Director of Communications Jeff Muir. “We have managed to show students these jobs can be high-tech, safe, high-paying careers. We are seeing that work come to fruition as the mentality is really changing and career and technical education is being valued.”
This is the third year the Blount Partnership has held its career signing day for graduating seniors and local businesses.
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