Yesterday, Mayor E.L. Morton announced that Better Made Trailers (BMT) of Jacksboro will be expanding into the Oswego Industrial Park at Jellico. The expansion brings 100 jobs to Jellico and 48 additional jobs to BMT Jacksboro. Renovations on the Oswego building are expected to begin in about two weeks, and hiring is set to start in September.

“The people of Jellico invested in a building a decade ago, and today we get to celebrate the vision and hard work of those individuals,” Morton said. “If we do our jobs right, life gets better in Jellico, life gets better in Campbell County. Today is a great pay-off,” Morton continued.

BMT CEO Tony Simpson says, “We have been blessed to have many opportunities to expand our business in Jacksboro and to add another location in Jellico. Our goal at BMT is not only to be a profitable business but to train those previously incarcerated in Campbell County with skills that will help them maintain long term employment and to help reduce the recidivism rate here in Campbell County.”

The CEO of BMT is Tony Simpson (fourth from the right)

Simpson adds, “BMT works closely with A New Beginning (ANB) to offer a jail-to-job training program where a skilled workforce is lacking. The program offers previously incarcerated individuals who desire to change the direction of their lives, trade-skills training and a job at BMT with the goal of securing a long-term career,” Simpson said. He adds, “For our company to continue to grow and adapt, we need partnerships and support from the surrounding community. We are grateful to know we have that and more from the State of Tennessee, Campbell County and the city of Jellico.”

“BMT is an innovative new business model that is taking market share in the trailer industry through well positioned and equipped production sites and creative workforce development that is not only profitable but has a community service heart. It is just what Campbell County needs to keep local talent and return previously unemployable workers to a living wage, educational and skills growth opportunities and a bright path beyond some of Appalachia’s biggest socio-economic challenges,” Morton said.

Jellico Mayor and 5th District County Commissioner Forster Baird addresses Thursday’s crowd at the announcement of BMT’s expansion into Jellico.

Mayor Morton adds, “Bringing 100 jobs to Jellico seemed impossible four years ago. Through diligent economic development, fervent prayer and old-fashioned hard work, BMT is the break we¹ve been working for. From the Jellico City Council to Jellico High School faculty, county commission and school board to local business owners, we are committed to seeing this project through to a profitable business and local talent working here at home. I am proud of our friends at the Tennessee Department of Economic Community Development (TNECD) for recognizing the potential in Jellico. It is the front door to Tennessee, and it is on the move to a bright future.” (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 07/06/2018-6AM)

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