JACKSON COUNTY, Ky. (LEX18) — Jackson County has become synonymous with the woes of eastern Kentucky. The area is plagued by high unemployment rates and people living in poverty, but now three friends with deep ties to the region are hoping to change that.
"DTS is Steve Dyer, Dean Turner, Bill Slusher, " explained partner Dean Turner.
The three men have had careers that have taken them all over the world, but they have always dreamed of giving back to the part of the state they love so much.
"We had been looking for a reason to create family sustaining jobs in Jackson County, " said partner Steve Dyer.
DTS Industries has been in operation since June, and already they have increased their workforce by ten people. There are plans to add 50 more jobs in the next year and a half.
"We do metal work, contract manufacturing, we have water jet capability, " said Turner.
It is no secret that unemployment has been a lingering problem in eastern Kentucky, especially Jackson County. DTS says their plan is to help solve that.
"We fundamentally believe that there is honor, integrity and freedom in financial independence, and the only way to have financial independence is to be gainfully employed, " Dyer explained.
They know their goals will not be met without challenges, but they have hope, something they are banking on being contagious in a part of the state that is hungry for opportunity.
"The workforce is here, we know they're here... many of them are our friends and family. We're just trying to bring the customers here to put the two things together, " Dyer said.
Turner went on to say, "We're dedicated to this thing, so we're in it for the long term. We're not just in and out."
