'Grow Your Business Tour' to Stop at TSBDC at

UT-Martin's REED Center and Dyersburg State Community College, at the Jimmy Naifeh Center in Covington, TN.

Grow Your Business

One of the biggest complaints voiced by small business owners is that they want to market their business but don't know what to do. The Tennessee Small Business Development Center can help.

The TSBDC network is hosting the "TSBDC Grow Your Business Tour," with small business coach, speaker and advocate, Robert Staub. The tour is scheduled to be at the University of Tennessee at Martin Regional Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Center from 2-4 p.m., Sept. 13.

The TSBDC of Dyersburg State Community College will serve as host for one of the tour stops at the Jimmy Naifeh Center in Covington, TN. The event will be held on September 14th from 9am-11am. Although admission is free, registration is required and can be done by visiting the web site at www.tsbdc.org or calling the TSBDC's office 731-286-3201. To register to attend other locations of the tour, you can call the TSBDC's Lead Center at 615-849-9999. This tour will visit all of the 13 Small Business Development Centers in Tennessee.

The "Grow Your Business Tour" is a fast-paced, 90-minute workshop that will help the business owner with direction, identity, marketing and benchmarks so they will have more confidence, more prospects, more referrals and a path and a plan for more business. Although admission is free, registration is required. Visit www.tsbdc.org or call the TSBDC at UT-Martin's REED Center, 731-587-7333.

"I will be working with small business owners who want to grow their business and be more focused on this tour, but the tour is as much about new job creation. Help the small business owner with their business growth, and the jobs will follow.  We just want the small business owner to put more money in their pocket at the end of the day," said Staub.

Staub serves on the TSBDC advisory board and will help represent that Board when he attends the ASBDC national conference in San Diego in September. He also recently served on the U.S. Small Business Administration National Advisory Board in Washington. The TSBDC is a community outreach initiative.

Obion County Chamber Makes It Easy to Get Business Advice

Take advantage of the opportunity to get one-on-one business consulting from Erik Markin, Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) at the University of Tennessee at Martin.  Markin will be at the Obion County Chamber of Commerce, 1:00p.m.- 5:00p.m., Thursday, Septmeber 22..  He will be available to help aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners with advice on a business plan, financing options, marketing, customer service, cash flow and other issues.

The consultations are one-on-one, confidential and FREE. Appointments may be made by contacting the Obion County Chamber of Commerce at 731-885-0211 or by contacting Markin directly at 731-587-7333.  For additional services offered by TSBDC, go to www.tsbdc.org.

Everett-Stewart Regional Airport - Received Tennessee Airports 2011 Red Carpet  Award

Everett-Stewart Regional Airport - Received Tennessee Airports 2011 Red Carpet Award at the Tennessee Airports Conference held in Nashville on August 18 & 19th.

The Airport was selected based on Exterior appearance and cleanliness of airport, terminal and public areas, Airport Customer Service Plan and Activities, Maintenance and operation of the airport, and Local airport unique programs or activities.

National Release of Joe Horn's new Allegro BBQ Sauce at E.W. James and Sons Supermarket

E. W. James and Sons welcomed former all star wide receiver Joe Horn to Union City on Thursday, August 25th, as Allegro Fine Foods of Paris and E.W. James teamed up to introduce 2 new namesake Barbeque sauces to customers. The Union City store was picked to kick off the national release, and it was the first time that people were able to sample the sauces, Bayou 87 Classic, and Bayou 87 Classic Cajun Barbeque Sauce. Horn signed autographs from 3 til 5 that afternoon. The entourage left Union City for Horn's hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi,where he began the next leg of the introductory tour.

E. W. James CEO Lee Ann James and daughter Kimberly welcome former New Orleans Saints Wide Receiver Joe Horn to Union City as he brings his signature sauces to the customers at the Union City store. The sauces are made at Allegro Fine Foods in Paris, TN.

Joe Horn takes a moment from signing autographs for a picture with a fan. Horn was in Union City at E. W. James and Sons Supermarket.

Click here to see more photos:

National Release of Joe Horn's new Allegro BBQ 

 Earns

Top Award

Union City's First Choice Farm & Lawn was recently honored by the Kubota Tractor Corporation, which presented the local Kubota dealership with the company's prestigious President's Kaizen Award.  The award recognized the local Kubota dealership's outstanding performance in 2010.  First Choice Farm & Lawn was among the top 25 percent of Kubota dealers across the United States to win the elite honor.   The award is based on 2010 Kubota product sales, market share growth and branding success criteria.

"Kubota Tractor Corporation views our strong Kubota dealer network as one of the company's greatest assets and we're pleased to honor Kubota's top performing dealers with our highest recognition, the Kubota President's Kaizen Award for 2010," Kubota vice president of sales and marketing Greg Embury said.

The award was named for the "Kaizen" concept which was originally intended as a model for improving the manufacturing process and generally represents a commitment to continuous improvement.   "Our Kubota President's Kaizen Award dealers exemplify an ongoing commitment to improvement and quality for their customers. Kubota appreciates the outstanding service and sales our local Kubota Dealers provide in their local areas," Embury said.  Kubota Tractor Corporation of Torrance, Calif., is the U.S. marketer and distributor of Kubota-branded equipment, including a complete line of tractors, performance-matched implements, compact and utility-class construction equipment, consumer lawn and garden equipment, commercial turf products and utility vehicles.

First Choice Farm & Lawn is located at 1412 Stad Ave., Union City. The telephone number for the dealership is 885-1315. The local business can be found on the Internet at www.firstchoicekubota.com.

Source: Union City Messenger

Main Street Union City Presents

Strolling in the City Event

Main Street Union City's inaugural "Strolling in the City" event was a success! It re-emphasized the benefits of a revitalized downtown, which in turn creates a thriving downtown. Main Street Union City Executive Director Phyllis Rauchle, said, "I was most pleased with the amount of civic and community pride shown by the 21 exhibitors and the downtown merchants and businesses working together to stimulate the economy of our great city. We have a walkable, healthy community and were pleased that so many came out to support that with us. "Strolling in the City" ended the day with Commercial Bank hosting a Wine and Cheese reception that was attended by the many Main Street volunteers, board members, business owners and exhibitors. We say thank you all the time, but this time we wanted to express our appreciation to those sustainable businesses and owners by providing a fun event."

-Phylis Rauchle, Main Street Director

Adult Use of Social Media Soars

By Sarah E. Needleman

If your small business doesn't yet have a Facebook page, LinkedIn profile or Twitter feed, a recent study may persuade you to finally join the social-media bandwagon.

Sixty-five percent of all U.S. adults now use social-networking sites, up from 61% a year ago and just 5% in 2005, reports Pew Research Center. The findings are based on telephone interviews conducted in April and May by Princeton Survey Research Associates International.

Most of the growth over the past year came from Americans over the age of 30, with seniors accounting for the bulk of it. One-third of adults ages 65 and older say they now use social-networking sites, compared with 26% who said a year ago. Still, young folks between 18 and 29 years old remain the overall biggest group tapping social networks today, accounting for 83% of the total.

On a typical day, 43% of U.S. adults said they visit sites like Facebook and Twitter, up from 38% a year ago, the survey finds. Among just Internet users ages 50 to 64, social-networking usage on a typical day increased to 32% from 20%. Compared with other online activities, respondents overall said they only use email and search engines more frequently than social networks.

Readers, if you don't use social media for your business, what's holding you back? If you do, how much effort do you put into it and has it been paying off?

Obion County Chamber

Mobile Marketing

Don't miss another Chamber event!!

 Text occc to 96362 to receive updates.

List Your Available Commercial Property With Us

Let us help you spread the word about your available commercial property by listing it at www.obioncounty.org. If you have commercial property you would like to list, please contact Robbie Green, Retail Development Director.

rgreen@obioncounty.org

Obion County

Chamber of Commerce

Upcoming Business Matters Events

Workmen's Compensation Issues

September 20, 2011

Cash Flow for Small Business

October 18, 2011

PCI Compliance

November 15, 2011

The Community Concert Association

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Chanticleer

An Orchestra of Voices

7:30P.M. -Union City Civic Auditorium

www.communityconcertuc.org

Everett Stewart Regional Airport Family Fun Night

Thursday, September 1st

7:00PM-10:00PM

1489 Airport Circle

Union City, TN

Rent In Union City

There's a brand new website in town designed to help those with rental property as well as those looking for a place to rent. If you have property to rent - residential, commercial, medical, storage, rural, etc. - you can list your property along with details, pictures, and contact information - even videos can be added. There is a $10/month charge to list. What do you get for that $10? When people are looking for places to rent in the Union City area and use the internet to search for those places, this site will be on the first page of Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc. That means your property will be seen. Additionally, this site will be advertised in the local classifieds for listings. So put your rental property where people are looking! The website is called Rent In Union City and is available at

www.rentinunioncity.com.

A Day at the Museum

Obion County Museum

September 24, 2011

10:00am - 4:00pm

1004 Edwards Street

Union City, TN 38261

(731) 885-6744

www.ocmuseum.com

Museum Tours

Public Target Shooting with Mock M-16 Air Rifles

Military Exhibits

Civil War re-enactors

Davy Crockett Frontiersmen

Frontier living demonstrations

Attack Helicopter Fly-in

Kid's Fun - Inflatables

Sneak peek at Discovery Park of America

www.discoveryparkofamerica.com

Thank You 2011-2012 Chamber Members for Your Continued Support

A & J Salvage

AAA RV Park

Abernathy's Motorcycle Sales

Ad Pro Designs

Advanced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Agri Equipment Co

Alexander Auctions & Real Estate Sales

Alexander Insurance Group

Align Chiropractic

All Kraft Erectors

Allen Searcy Builder Contractor

Aloha Pools and Spa

AT&T

ATA

Attorney Tony Maness

Baptist Memorial Hospital

Barker Brothers

BR Supply

Buddy's Wrecker Service

Buy, Sell & Trade Pawn Shop

C.W. Sanderson

Careall Home Care

Carey Counseling Center

Carpenter Real Estate Company

Century 21

City or Rives

Conley, Campbell, Moss Attorneys at Law

Country Hearth Inn

Cox Oil Co.

Dale Bryant Installations

Dental Center

Dixie Gun Works

Douglas Tax Service

Dr. Jere W Crenshaw

Dunn's Auto Body

Dyersburg State Community College

Eagle Nest Resort

Edmaiston Mosley Funeral Home

Edward Jones

Elam Glasgow & Chism Law Firm

FabSouth

Family Check Advance

Farm Credit Services

Federal Materials Co.

Final Flight Outfitters

First Choice Farm &Lawn

First Citizens Financial Plus

First Citizens National Bank

First State Bank

First State Bank Mortgage Company

Five Seasons Men Shop

Forcum Lannom

Ford Construction

Friends of Roy Herron

Fuller Partners Real Estate

Fulton Decorating Center

Fulton Plaza Motor Inn

G & H Tool & Die

Glenn E. Daulton

Goodwill Industries

Griffin Industries

H & O Tool and Die

H and M Ice

Hammer's Portable Builders

Hanafee Brothers Sawmill

Harpole Telecom

Harris Chiropractic

HealthSouth

Heritage Banks

Herman Jenkins Motors

Hill's Hardware

Hollywood Showcase

Hospitality House

Hub's

J. R. Wauford & Company

Jack and Juanita Hudgins

JD Distributors

Jiffy Steamer

Job World

John Miles Attorney at Law

Jones-Walker post 4862

Jordan & Bondurant Eye Care

Judy Barker

Junior Auxiliary of Obion County

Ken-Tenn Wireless

Kizer Pharmacy

Lakeview Dining Room

Lashlee-Rich

Lawns & More

Lucy's Shoe Box

Magical Minks Entertainment

Magnolia Place

McDonald's

Metropolitan Life Insurance

Michael Brady

Midwest CBK

Money Place

Money Tree Loan Company

Northwest Tennessee Cardiology

Obion County Farm Bureau

Obion County Public Library

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Phillips Engineering

Polk Glover

Pudge-N-Pals Animal Organization

Radio Shack

RC Mechanical

Reelfoot Bank

Reelfoot Metal Building Supply

Reelfoot Regional Association of Realtors

Reelfoot Family Walk-In Clinic

Regal Pediatrics

Reynolds Brothers

Rodger P. Lewis, M.D., P.C.

Sassafraz

Scarborough Same Day Services

Second Baptist Church

Shea Riley Realtors

Sherwin-Williams

Sign Depot

Small World Child Care

Southern Machinery Repair

State Farm - Russell Hammond

Steven Harpole

Steve's Jewelers

Storey Sawmill & Lumber Co.

Suedell's

Tennessee Tractor

Terry Petty

The Chocolate Bunny

The Etheridge House

The Hampton Centre

The Hampton Inn

Thompson & McConnell, PLLC

Thunderbolt Broadcasting

Town of Obion

Union City Coca Cola

Union City Daily Messenger

Union City Forklift

Union City Housing Authority

Union City Jaycees

Union City J'Cettes

Union City Parts

Vaughn Electric Company

VF Outlet

Waymatic

Wendy's

William B. Acree

Wingfoot Golf Course

Workforce Essentials

WPSD-TV LOCAL 6

Write Up the Road Publishing

FCA Outdoors & Final Flight Outfitters

PRESENTS

2011 SPORTING CLAY SHOOT & OUTDOORS SHOW

DATE: Saturday, Sept. 10th

TIME: 9am - 6pm

LOCATION: Final Flight Outfitters

EVENTS:

Sports Clay Shoot

Retriever Demonstrations

Calling Demonstrations

(featuring World Goose Calling Champion,

Kelley Powers)

Other Outdoor Events

The sporting clay event is a 5 stand, 5 person shooting team. Teams must preregister by calling Final Flight Outfitters at 866-354-4489. The cost for a team is $50. It's time to get ready for the 2011-2012 Hunting Season!!! Bring the kids and join us for some fun! Browse & Shop Final Flight Outfitters, and a percentage of the store sales will go to FCA! The purpose of this event is to raise money for the NWTN FCA as they make a positive and eternal impact in the lives of athletes, coaches, and sportsmen.