The state has given four area companies training grants.

McKee Foods of Collegedale received a $49,983 grant and Seymour Tubing Inc. of Dunlap, Tenn., got a $20,200 grant. Suburban Manufacturing Co. in Dayton, Tenn., and Cormetech in Cleveland, Tenn., received $31,260 and $18,985 grants, respectively.

Tenn. Gov. Phil Bredesen and Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley said the grants are part of a program that assists employers with training needs linked to skill upgrades for employees.

“Job training to upgrade the skills of Tennessee’s workers is one of the best things we can do for our economy,” Gov. Bredesen said. “Now more than ever, it is important to continue training our work force to keep employees and companies nationally and globally competitive.”

A news release said the Southeast Tennessee Development District played a key role in awarding the grants to the area companies.

Pentagon open for tanker bids

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon opened a second round of bidding Wednesday for a $35 billion Air Force tanker contract following an error-plagued first attempt that featured bitter competition between Northrop Grumman Corp. and Boeing Co.

A revised draft request for proposals has been issued to build 179 new aerial refueling tankers meant to replace the Air Force’s current fleet that date back to the 1950s.

The Pentagon on Wednesday held a briefing on the new selection process. The final version of the request for proposals is expected to be released to both companies on Aug. 15. The new bids are due Oct. 1 and a decision is expected by the end of the year.

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