FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: CHARLOTTE KOESTLER
STONE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP
601.928.5418
OR ckoestler@stonecounty.com
SCEDP ENCOURAGES EMPLOYERS TO FOSTER FITNESS, HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE
 Dan Kuecker of Anytime Fitness speaks to Stone County Economic Development Partnership (SCEDP) members at the SCEDP’s quarterly Industry Leaders’ Breakfast. |
“According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, mid-sized companies employing 50-249 workers reported the highest rate of injuries and illnesses in 2006,” said SCEDP Executive Director Charlotte Koestler. “In Stone County, mid-sized businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, and they rely on healthy, well-trained workers. The SCEDP wants to lead the charge for making positive health changes in Stone County’s workforce.”
Dan Kuecker of Anytime Fitness, which will open in Stone County this July, recently spoke to industry leaders at the SCEDP-sponsored quarterly Manufacturers’ Association meeting. He said that employers can improve the health of their employees by implementing a targeted daily wellness program.
“Targeted fitness programs can be tailored to complement workers’ daily routines,” noted Koestler. “I recently visited a company that employed a very progressive program that assessed employees’ physical requirements on the job and gathered very detailed information including the amount of physical force needed to complete certain tasks, whether tasks required repetitive actions, and many more specifics. From that, the company implemented a fitness program that incorporated basic principles while prescribing regimens tailored for specific employees. The result was that the company saw fewer employee injuries, kept workers on the job, and improved morale and safety.”
Koestler said that generally, only large corporations have been able to afford such targeted programs but that the philosophies and regimens can be applied to mid-sized and smaller businesses. “It is a goal of the SCEDP to help Stone County industries have similar, affordable options available to their workforces.”
Koestler said another advantage for companies that implement fitness programs is that many insurance companies provide stronger employer incentives for them and that fewer employee illnesses and injuries translate into less expensive premiums for Workers’ Compensation insurance.
“Making fitness and wellness priorities for their workforce is a win-win situation for Stone County employers.” said Koestler. “We aim to help our industry leaders be at the forefront of a campaign that will improve the lives of people in Stone County, both in and out of the workplace.”
The Stone County Economic Development Partnership is a non-profit entity formed to promote economic development in Stone County; to develop, promote and expand existing businesses and industries in Stone County; to promote tourism and to support the development of infrastructure and services to accommodate a growing economy and community.
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