In July 1984, Tri-Cities State Technical Institute began a comprehensive study of service and manufacturing industries within a five-county planning area. The study was conducted to obtain information regarding employment and training needs and to increase awareness and utilization of the On-the-Job Training and Targeted Job Tax Credit programs available through the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). The study included 104 on-site interviews and surveys mailed to 1,005 employers representing both service and manufacturing sectors. Study findings, based on 290 survey responses, included the following: (1) respondents had hired a total of 9,596 new employees in the last 24 months; (2) 188 of the firms hired part-time employees; (3) 70 had youth employment programs; (4) 193 hired non-high school graduates; (5) 44 had formalized apprenticeship programs, 239 provided entry-level and/or on-the-job training, and 42 were presently participating in JTPA programs; (6) 262 firms indicated that they hired individuals over 54 years of age, 263 firms hired individuals with physical handicaps, and 164 hired ex-offenders; (7) 89 firms had layoffs in the past 12 months; (8) the most difficult positions to fill were sales personnel, mechanical technicians, secretaries with shorthand/word processing skills, and machine operators; and (9) 49 businesses were planning expansion within the foreseeable future. The study report includes a breakdown of survey responses for the following occupational categories: finance/insurance/legal/real estate/professional services; health care and allied fields; industry (crafts and trades); government service; and retail/marketing/distribution services. The survey instruments are included, as is also a master list of companies indicating surveys obtained or site visits made. (LAL)