Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett met today with local business leaders to discuss what their companies and others need in order to grow.  The roundtable discussion was held over lunch, which was provided by the Knoxville Chamber. (View a photo slideshow below.)

During the meeting, many of the business leaders expressed a need for increased skilled technical training for positions ranging from engineers to maintenance supervisors and mechanics.

“I think it is important for me to sit down and listen to the people who are helping to drive our local economy,” Mayor Burchett said after the meeting.  “These companies are putting Knox County citizens to work, and I think it’s important to make sure they know that I want Knox County Government to stay out of their way and focus on providing and maintaining the high-quality infrastructure that economic development requires.”

Companies represented at the meeting were Fulton Bellows, Green Mountain Coffee, Republic Plastics, Analysis and Measurement Services Corporation, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Barge Waggoner, Workspace Interiors, Claris Networks, ADT Security Service and Quality Rx Returns.  The companies range in size from less than 10 employees to nearly 2,000.