NATIONAL NEWS

ETSU gets $50,000 grant for Pharmacy School The AmSouth Foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant to the College of Pharmacy at East Tennessee State University. Dean of Pharmacy Dr. Larry Calhoun says this donation takes the university toward its next fund-raising goal of reaching $16 million. “The gracious support of our business, health care, and industrial organizations, as well as the local community, enabled ETSU to raise $7.5 million in near-record time,” Calhoun said. “Now, we are aiming for a total of $16 million that will allow us to renovate a building on the VA campus and create a facility dedicated exclusively for pharmacy education. “Specifically, this program will help to develop future community leaders that drive our economy and nourish the success of so many companies, including AmSouth,” said Bill Keller, AmSouth’s Tri-Cities president. Grants provided for Tenn. farm and ranch owners Tennessee farm and ranch land owners are eligible to receive more than $550,000 in USDA funds to protect and conserve their land. U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns is making the money available as part of the $70-million Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP). Applications must be received by May 11, 2006. NRCS will announce final project selections in June. More information is at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/frpp or you can contact your county’s District Conservationist. Training grants to help keep jobs local Then Department of Labor & Workforce Development has awarded $3,724 to Rick Cox Construction Company in Harriman, Tennessee. This Incumbent Worker Training Grant is one of many to be awarded this year to help Tennessee companies avoid downsizing and keep jobs in the state. Close to $2 million in Incumbent Worker Training Grants was awarded in 2005 benefiting almost 10,000 Tennessee workers. “The Incumbent Worker Training Grants are essential to help Tennessee’s workers look to the future with job growth and stability,” said Governor Bredesen. “This grant will help keep this company competitive and increase the skills of their talented employees.” “The Incumbent Worker Training Program provides grant funding for customized training for existing businesses,” said Commissioner Neeley. “I am proud to award this grant money to keep area workers on the job.”