NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber announced that Obion County has achieved certification under the state's Three-Star program for excellence in economic development.

 

"Solid community development provides the foundation for successful economic development," said Commissioner Kisber.  "Our Three-Star communities play an integral role in the overall economic health of the state, and I congratulate Obion County for its commitment to excellence and dedication to long-term economic growth and success." 

 

Obion County and the Town of Hornbeak, Town of Kenton, Town of Obion, City of Rives, Town of Samburg, City of South Fulton, Town of Trimble, Town of Troy, City of Union City and City of Woodland Mills are now eligible to receive additional incentives under the guidelines of the Tennessee Three-Star program.

 

"ECD is proud to support Obion County in its dedication to long-term economic growth and success," said ECD Assistant Commissioner of Community Development Rick Meredith. "The community has emphasized essential foundational steps and targeted its strengths that will improve quality of life and grow jobs."

 

The Three-Star program has set high standards like no other state-run program in the nation. Governor Phil Bredesen's five-year asset-based economic development strategic plan is the cornerstone of Three-Star.  The strategic plan addresses development issues and challenges a community is facing in an ever changing economic environment.  Additionally, it helps communities preserve existing employment, create new employment opportunities, improve family income and develop a strong leadership base for economic development.

 

In 2005, the Southern Growth Policies Board, a bipartisan public policy think tank devoted to strengthening the South's economy, recognized the Three-Star program as a best practices program and a Southern leader in community certification programs.  The Southern Growth Policies Board honored the Three-Star program again in 2010 with an Innovator Award for its unique partnership with the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence.  TNCPE provides services to the communities that participate in the Three-Star program based on the Baldrige National Quality Program and provides feedback to help communities implement and improve their plans.

 

The Three-Star program is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year after beginning in 1980 as the "Three-Star Award for Successful Completion of the Community Economic Preparedness Program."  Under Governor Bredesen, the Three-Star program has been revamped to include a benchmarking system for community excellence which raised the bar for performance. The program has now grown to 89 programs certified, representing more than 340 cities and towns. 

 

In order to receive the certification, communities are required to meet criteria in planning, leadership, community, business and education and work force development categories. Incentives for receiving the certification include identification on all FastTrack infrastructure and job training applications; eligibility for matching grants, if criteria set by ECD are met; earning points in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program; assistance from ECD's Regional Economic Development Specialists and the sharing of "best practices" in community development; and the establishment of a strategic plan that is updated annually with measurable goals, specific actions, responsible parties and a timeline.

 

To view and download photos of Obion Countywith Governor Bredesen, Commissioner Kisber and Assistant Commissioner Meredith, visit www.tn.gov/ecd and click the "Governor's Conference Award Photos" button on the right. To find out more information about the Three-Star program, visit www.tn.gov/ecd/CD_three_star.html.

On Tuesday, December 21, Business Matters welcomed guest speaker Brad Parsons.  Mr. Parsons is the Chief Executive and Administrator for Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City.  He addressed the audience about the changes in health care and what those changes mean for our hospital, its employees, and its patients.  It was a very informative and interactive session.  The Business Matters attendees had many questions and Mr. Parsons was able to provide answers that left them with a better sense of the future in health care for our city and county.  This year, Modern Healthcare Magazine included Baptist Union City in its "Best Places to Work 2010" list. To be named to the list, hospital employees had to complete an in-depth survey, which was evaluated based on eight core areas: leadership and planning, culture and communications, role satisfaction, working environment, relationship with supervisor, training and development, pay and benefits and overall satisfaction.  Baptist Memorial Hospital ranked 10^th in the nation among other comparable facilities. Make plans to attend and bring a friend or co-worker to Business Matters on Tuesday, January 18.  The guest speaker will be announced soon!

UNION CITY, Tenn., Dec. 16, 2010 - Congressman Elect Stephen Fincher and USDA Rural
Development State Director Bobby Goode today announced federal funding for a five county regional partnership in northwest Tennessee and southwest Kentucky to develop a strategy for attracting, keeping and growing small businesses. The announcement was made at the Obion County Chamber of Commerce.

"Small businesses are the economic engines of rural communities, creating jobs and a healthy, diversified local economy," said Goode. "This region has a wealth of assets to build on. Working together to develop a coordinated plan, local leaders will be in a much stronger position to put those assets to work in a way that benefits everybody."

Obion County Community Development coordinator Lindsay Frilling said the $20,000 grant from USDA Rural Development and the Delta Regional Authority will be matched by $25,000 in funding from the partnering counties. The partnership was formed to improve the lines of communication between participating agencies and local governments to better promote the region and leverage market outreach efforts. Participating counties include Obion, Lake and Weakley in Tennessee, and Hickman and Fulton in Kentucky.

Others participating in the event included Sen. Lamar Alexander's Representative Matt Varino, State Rep. Andy Holt, Obion County Mayor Benny McGuire, Lake County Mayor Macie Robertson, Weakley County Mayor Houston Patrick, Fulton County Judge/Executive David Gallagher, Fulton Mayor Dan Voegeli, Obion County Chamber representative Jim Rippey, Delta Regional Authority Co-Chair Mike Marshall, Fulton/Hickman County, Ky. Economic Development Partnership representative Eddie Crittendon, RD Area Director Harriet Cannon and staff Van Wylie and Mitzi Hailey.

Rural Development business programs help local governments and non-profit organizations improve local business infrastructure and promote job growth. Business loans provide needed financing for rural businesses and loan-guarantees are also available to help private lenders to increase the pool of investment capital available for business start-up, modernization and expansion in eligible rural areas.

USDA Rural Development invests in jobs, infrastructure, homeownership and affordable rental housing in rural communities. With supplemental funding through the Recovery Act, the agency assisted more than 1.5 million Tennessee families and businesses with more than $1.3 billion in financial assistance through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants. More than 86 percent of these investments will be paid back with interest. The rest is at work creating jobs, broadening the local tax base and increasing opportunities in education, training, healthcare and public safety.

For more information on Rural Development programs available in West Tennessee contact the Rural Development Area Office in Union City at 731-885-6480 ext. 4 or visit us online at www.rurdev.usda.gov/tn

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call(800) 795-3272 TDD.

Align Chiropractic
1307 W Reelfoot Avenue
Union City, TN 38261
(731) 885-0461
www.alignunioncity.com
info@alignunioncity.com
*Ribbon cutting Monday, January 31st at 9:00am*

214 E Church Street
Union City, TN 38261
(731)885-0211
www.obioncounty.org

The Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development, working with USDOL, the Internal Revenue Service, and other states, has been among the leaders in developing clear and effective regulatory requirements for these tax programs since their inception in 1996. These efforts, along with our partnering state and local agencies have resulted in Tennessee being one of the nation's top 3 producing states as it relates to the amount of potential Federal income tax credits it has been able to return to eligible Tennessee employers.

To receive additional information regarding the WOTC tax credit program, please call 1-800-432-5268 (in state only) or fax your request to 615-532-1612.

http://www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd/wotc.html

January is National Radon Action Month.  You can't see, smell or taste Radon gas.  Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.  In the United States, 21,000 people die each year from radon-induced lung cancer.  EPA estimates that over 70% of Tennessee's population lives in high risk and moderate risk radon areas (nearly 50% of the population lives in high risk radon areas).  It is important for everyone in Tennessee to test their home for radon.  Please request your test kit through the only system at www.tn.gov/environment/ea/radon or mail your request to: Radon Program, 711 R.S. Gass  Blvd., Nashville, TN 37216.  Be sure to include your name, address, city, state, zip code, phone number, or email address and type of foundation.