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Knoxville, Tenn. – Fifty Hancock County residents have their hard hats and safety vests in hand and are ready to start their new jobs with the Tennessee Department of Transportation.  The employees are part of a plan outlined by Governor Phil Bredesen on December 16, 2009 to use federal Recovery Act funds to reduce unemployment in Hancock County. On Monday, February 1, 45 new hires began their employee and safety training with TDOT and on Tuesday the department hired five more Hancock County residents. 

 

“TDOT has worked quickly to hire, train and place these Hancock County citizens on the job as highway maintenance workers,” said Bredesen. “These new jobs, along with others outlined in the plan to reduce unemployment in Hancock County, should help ease some of the strain caused by the economic downturn.”

 

Several of TDOT’s new employees are excited to get back to work after a long and uncertain time of unemployment. Lowell “Tony” Mullins usually builds houses for a living, but has watched the housing market decline over the past three years and in November 2009, lost his job. “Things were tough at our home for Christmas,” Mullins said. “We had a few presents and a meal, but we were still happy.”

 

The Sneedville native has a 15-year old son and a little girl who turned two-years old on Sunday. Mullins says it has been tough to provide for his family, but he’s hopeful his new job will give them more than a steady paycheck. “Maybe I will get a little more confidence, and to be able to support my family. My family is pretty important to me. I’m ready to go to work.”

 

At a job fair on January 22, more than 92 applications were received and 70 people were interviewed.

 

“We welcome the opportunity to provide quick relief to some of Hancock County’s unemployed,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “Our highway maintenance workers perform many duties that are essential to TDOT’s core mission and we are pleased to have these new recruits working in District 12.”

 

Sneedville native, Blake Collins, a 24-year old father of two, has a background in construction, but left his job to be closer to his family. He has been doing odd jobs for two years to provide for his children.

 

“I wanted to spend time with my children,” Collins said. “My wife was raising them herself, so I decided to quit and help to raise my family.”

 

Starting February 8, Collins will join 49 other Hancock County residents as newly-hired maintenance workers performing duties throughout TDOT’s District 12, which includes Hancock, Hawkins, Grainger and Hamblen counties. Some of the activities the new employees will conduct include litter pickup, tree and vegetation removal, mowing, mechanics, carpentry, concrete and electrical work.

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