New Said US Pillars Job Expansion Began With Leadership Putnam

Cookeville-based US Pillars will add some 56 new jobs in an expansion announced Thursday.

The company will create a new business partnership with Horrman, the garage door manufacturer based near the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport. When you combine that news with the Portobello opening earlier this week, Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber Of Commerce President Amy New said it’s been a big week for job creation.

“It’s super exciting,” New said. “It’s almost like everyone is floating on clouds, because there’s been a lot of work going into leading up to these announcements.”

US Pillars is investing $981,000 in expanding its facility. New said conversations about this expansion started over a year ago through Leadership Putnam. New said without Leadership Putnam this expansion would have never happened.

A combined 256 new jobs created in Putnam County. New said these were not just jobs but quality jobs.

“We’re always looking for how do we bring individuals off government benefits or welfare or outside that poverty rate area,” New said. “That’s been a big goal for not only the chamber but the Highland Economic Partnership so we’re at or above the state average of around $54,000.”

New said companies are expanding and coming to the area because Putnam County has a lot to offer over other communities.

“At the end of the day, they want to be somewhere that is not only business friendly from a government stand point but also a tax stand point, but also the quality of life in general,” New said. “There are so many things to do here. It’s much more affordable to live here rather than in California, Chicago, New York, other places. So, the affordability and the quality of life is a big selling point for us.”