Training Offered For High Tech Positions

WATER VALLEY–The Yalobusha County Economic Development and Tourism District  (EDD) is in the early stages of setting up training classes to prepare employees for high tech jobs offered at BorgWarner, Valley Tool and some positions at Windsor Foods.
    EDD Director Bob Tyler told supervisors during the “first Monday” meeting in Water Valley that the training would be a partnership with Northwest Mississippi Community College, the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) and the state’s Workforce Investment Network (WIN).
    The training is geared to help potential new employees have skills to become productive immediately after hiring.
    “One of our local employers in a high tech field said it takes a long time to train new people. And when they do start training and hiring, sometimes people decide they don’t like that kind of work,” Tyler told supervisors.
    The classes will encompass six weeks and be held three-and-a-half hours each Monday through Thursday, according to Tyler. The last week of training will be held at the Water Valley High School in the computer lab. A minimum of five people must sign up, and the maximum capacity will be 25 people, according to Tyler.  There will be a $25 fee.
    The county’s economic director also explained that the classes would not cost the county, but he requested help identifying a building. After a brief discussion, the Multi-purpose Building in Coffeeville was tentatively identified as a possibility, based on availability.
    “We are carrying people a little bit of the distance to get them ready to work,” Tyler added.
    A start date for the classes will be announced in the coming week.
    In other business conducted at the June 3 supervisors’ meeting:
    • Approved a request from Sheriff Lance Humphreys to have a 2012 Chevrolet Tahoe unmarked. The vehicle was purchased used from the Panola County Sheriff’s Depart-ment last month. The request is a formality and must be recorded in the minutes. The department is allowed to have up to five unmarked vehicles, according to state statute.
    The sheriff’s department also has a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria and a 2009 Ford pickup designated at unmarked.
    • Declined to take action on an application to sell beer or light wine from Tommy Griffis at Griffis Truck Stop in Tillatoba because the applicant did not attend the meeting.
    • Approved a request from Robertson Logging to exceed the posted weight limit while hauling timber in District 5 on County Road 182 and 55; a request from Harrison Logging in District 2 on County Road 127; and a request from Jeremy Aron in District 1 on County Road 131 and 212.
    • Approved a request for Circuit Clerk Daryl Burney to attend Circuit Clerk Convention in Biloxi.
    • Approved a request from Tax Assessor/Collect Linda Shuffield to attend the Mississippi Tax Collector Education and Certification Program in Oxford. She will be accompanied by deputies Aris Amos and Waynda White.
    • Approved the abandonment for a segment of County Road 291 following a public hearing.
    • Approved a request from a garbage customer to temporarily suspend his garbage service while he is working overseas in China.
    The house will be unoccupied and his garbage can will be picked up during his absence.
    • Tabled a request to accept a donation to purchase a drug dog for the sheriff’s department.
    Initially District 3 supervisor Lee McMinn said he would be in favor of establishing an account to accept the donation.
    “Sounds like an increase in the budget. Dog food, vehicle, supplies and training,” District 5 supervisor Frank “Bubba” Tillman countered.
    “Lance will probably be in here the middle of the month and we will discuss it then,” Vaughn recommended. Humphreys was attending sheriff’s convention and not present at the meeting.
    • Scheduled a recessed meeting for Friday, June 14, at 9 a.m. at the Water Valley courthouse.