Flowers Bakery Joins Empower Upper Cumberland as a Certified Employer
Flowers Bakery in Crossville, Tennessee has taken a meaningful step in supporting regional workforce development by becoming a certified employer under Empower Upper Cumberland (Empower UC). Their participation underscores a shared commitment to stability, opportunity, and community growth in the Upper Cumberland region.
What it Means to Be Empower Certified
As an Empower Certified Employer, Flowers Bakery meets key standards set by Empower UC: providing a livable wage, offering benefits, fostering employee growth opportunities, and participating in poverty-aware employer training.
Through this certification, the bakery gains access to several benefits: priority posting of job openings to Empower UC participants, support from Workforce Connections staff in recruiting, and eligibility for wage-reimbursement incentives when hiring Empower participants.
Why This Matters for Flowers Bakery and the Community
By joining the Empower network, Flowers Bakery becomes more than a workplace — it becomes a partner in strengthening local families and boosting long-term economic stability. The certification signals the bakery’s willingness to hire, support, and mentor employees who may face barriers to employment, helping them build toward sustainable futures.
For the broader community, it means more opportunities for residents to find stable, fair-paying jobs close to home, reducing commute burdens and supporting the local economy. Especially in a region where access to affordable, stable employment can significantly impact quality of life, empowerment through job opportunity matters.
A Model for Regional Employers
Flowers Bakery’s decision also sets an example for other businesses in the Upper Cumberland. It shows how local employers can play an active role in lifting up individuals and families — not just by offering jobs, but by committing to fair pay, supportive work environments, and long-term career paths. With Empower UC’s framework and supports like wage reimbursement and recruiting assistance, certification becomes not just an opportunity for employees, but for businesses to grow responsibly and sustainably.
Are you interested in your business being a Certified Employer with the Empower Program? Are you interested in the Wage Reimbursement opportunities we have available for employers? If so - reach out to our Business Services team today!
