Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial

1119 S. First St.

Union City, TN 38261

Phone: 731-599-4615 Fax: 731-796-2562

Website: www.modern-woodmen.org

Representative: Michelle Eason 

February Small Business Spotlight

This company's story starts with the son of a sharecropper that hitched a ride on a freight train from Tennessee to Chicago as a 14 year old seeking employment.  This type of determination would go a long ways in the founder's life as he applied his persistence and mechanical abilities to care for his family.  In 1940, John Bailey Simrell and his brother-in-law toiled over a way to create enough steam to commercially shape and block hats quickly and easily.  The birth of the Jiffy Model J-1 resulted from those efforts as well as other models to follow over the decades.  When Mr. John added a hose and steam head attachment, the product morphed into a fabric steamer that removed wrinkles from clothing, draperies and other materials.  More than 7 decades later and many product developments, Jiffy Steamer Company is a worldwide leader in steaming equipment across multiple industries.  World-renowned in more than 50 foreign markets and backed by over 1,000 dealers in the United States alone, the dozens of Jiffy® Steamer models can be found almost everywhere-from the commercial garment trade, to residential markets, in the pages of high-end mail order catalogs, and in various specialty industries.  

www.jiffysteamer.com

Our product line also includes the following:

SteamBlade - The SteamBlade is an innovative product designed to simplify the removal of window film, vinyl wrap and lettering. With the swipe of the SteamBlade, the warm, moist steam quickly and safely unbinds the glue from the window, simplifying this once tedious task. The SteamBlade will allow you to remove window film, vinyl wrap or lettering in a fraction of the time of conventional methods. Put down the razor and reach for the Steam. www.steamblade.com

SteamBreaker - The SteamBreaker is an innovative product that safely breaks in leather and exotic skin footwear, quickly creating a custom fit for your feet. Say goodbye to the pain of breaking in a new pair of footwear-and let the power of steam do the work for you. www.steambreaker.com

GloveFlex - An average fielder's glove requires approximately 1,500 pitches to be considered broken in and a catcher's mitt needs around 2,500. We can drastically reduce the number of hours shaping and forming your glove with our GloveFlex process. Your glove will be returned to you softer, more flexible and ready to play ball.

www.gloveflex.com

X-Series - With the fast, effective power of pure steam, the Jiffy® Steamer X-Series steamer easily kills dust mites and bed bugs on contact without the use of a single chemical or fumigation product. Best of all, it's safe for your family and the environment. www.jiffyxseries.com

Flexineb - Flexineb™ equine nebulization device represents a huge innovative step in administrating care to the lower and upper respiratory tract of the horse via inhalation methods.

www.flexineb.us

HAYGAIN - HAYGAIN is the revolutionary hay steamer that transforms hay into a dust-free, palatable forage improving your horse's health, respiratory performance and overall well-being. www.haygain.us.

Even though Jiffy® Steamer's products can be found around the world, the company stands firm in its promise to remain American-made. Each of the company's steamers is handcrafted in Union City, Tennessee and assembled with the finest, American-made components.  The company makes no compromise in the engineering and construction of its products.  After the intricate 52 step process to build the unit, every unit is steam tested before leaving the factory. Family values ring true with the Jiffy® Steamer brand and the company is actively managed and operated by family members. These guys know steam and continue to produce the finest steamers on the planet.

You may learn more about Jiffy Steamer by visiting www.poweredbyjiffy.com.

Lindsay Frilling Named to Southern Economic Development Council's Board of Directors

Atlanta, GA (January 3, 2014) - The Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC), theoldest and largest regional economic development association in North America, is pleased to announce Lindsay Frilling, economic development director of the Obion County Joint Economic Development Council in Union City Tennessee, as the alternate state director of Tennessee on the SEDC Board of Directors. She was choosen for this position by her peers within her state of Tennessee. The alternate state director will serve a one-year term on SEDC's board. Ms. Frilling took her seat on January 1, 2014.

"Lindsay Frilling is a consummate professional, her experience and leadership will not only help us meet our goals, but also continue our efforts in raising the bar for SEDC and our membership."stated Hal Johnson, SEDC incoming Chairman of the Board.

The Southern Economic Development Council is a 950 member, non-profit organization composed of a broad cross-section of active and influential industrial and economic developers from business and industry, utilities, transportation, financial and education institutions, chambers of commerce, and local, regional and state development agencies.  Members in the 17-state area share a common interest: the promotion and enhancement of the economic development profession. The SEDC region includes the following states:  Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland and the District of Columbia, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. 

For more information about SEDC visit the website at www.sedc.org. 

Alexander Thompson Arnold Announces Employee Achievements

Left: Emily Davidson, Senior Accountant; Right: Brittney Kissell, CPA, Manager

Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs is proud to announce its team members who have earned promotions and have passed the Uniform CPA Examination.

"ATA's mission is to help our clients succeed.  Our team members continually excel in the accounting industry and provide the highest quality accounting and auditing services to our clients," said Al Creswell, CPA and Chief Manager, Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs. "It's an honor to recognize these individuals for their determination and leadership within our firm."

These individuals were recently promoted:

• Alecia Purtteman, CBA (Jackson, Tenn.) has been promoted to Senior Manager;
• Teresa Spann, EA (Jackson, Tenn.) is now Tax Manager;
• Brittney Kissell, CPA (Union City, Tenn.) and Angie Hutchison-Adams, EA (Jackson, Tenn.) have been promoted to Manager;
• Katie Little, CPA (Milan, Tenn.); Emily Davidson (Union City, Tenn.); Branden Crosby, CPA and Angela Gobelet, EA (Jackson, Tenn.) have been promoted to Senior Accountant; and
• Jessi Alexander and Rachel DePriest (Jackson, Tenn.) are now Staff Accountants.

In addition to these promotions, Branden Crosby (Jackson, Tenn.) recently passed the Uniform CPA Examination.

The Uniform CPA Examination is one of the nation's most comprehensive examinations. Sections covered in the test include auditing and attestation, financial accounting and reporting, regulation and business environment and concepts. To be eligible to sit for the exam, candidates must have completed a minimum of 150 semester hours, which include a baccalaureate or higher degree from an academic institution recognized by the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy, with a minimum of 30 semester hours in accounting and 24 semester hours in general business subjects.

Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC (ATA) is a regional accounting firm that offers a comprehensive array of tax, audit, accounting, and consulting services to businesses and individuals. Founded in 1946, the firm was named the ninth largest accounting firm in the State of Tennessee by American City Business Journals in 2014. ATA has 15 partners, approximately 140 team members, and 11 offices located in Dyersburg, Henderson, Jackson, Martin, McKenzie, Milan, Nashville, Paris, Trenton and Union City, Tennessee and Murray, Kentucky.

For more information about Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs, visit www.atacpa.net.

Speaker:

Darlene Adkins

University of Tennessee at Martin, Lecturer of Accounting

Sponsored by:

When:

Where:

Obion County Public Library

7:45am-9:00am

Art Sparks with ATA was our speaker for January's Business Matters and covered taxes regarding Healthcare Reform. Angie Worley with the Union City Hamilton-Ryker was our door prize winner which was donated by O'Neals Country Store. ATA sponsored this event.  Join us next month!

WestStar Leadership Class Visits Obion County 

The WestStar Class of 2014 participated in their first session of the year in Martin and Union City on January 9-10th.  The theme for the session was "Agriculture and Transportation". UT Martin highlighted the agriculture department by touring the farm facilities and diagnostic center. John Charles Wilson of Agricenter International gave an informative presentation on the facilities and resources that it offers to surrounding residents and West Tennessee. Dr. Joey Mehlhorn ('12) and Eric Maupin presented topics on current events and topics in agriculture. The class especially enjoyed the video that Maupin showed about a "high tech" farmer.

The next day the class toured the Tyson plant in Union City where they process poultry for McDonald's products.  This is also the first WestStar class that was able to visit Discovery Park of America.  DPA's CEO, Jim Rippy, treated the class to many of the extra events that guests can participate in. Needless to say, there will be repeat visits by the class over the next few months and they are sure to bring their families with them. It is a sight to see if you have not visited yet.

West Tennessee Retail Alliance Report: 2013 Retail Job Creation

West Tennessee's collective retail information speaks volumes and gains the attention of those regional and national retailers who seek to bring development to our communities.  It helps us to show the potential of West Tennessee.

Fifteen of the WTRA counties reported this year, not including Shelby or Madison Counties, and these 15 counties reported a total of 583 new retail businesses opened, which created 2382 new jobs.  These businesses ranged in type and scope from small, locally owned stores to National Chain Retailers, but they had an extremely positive impact on the economies of our communities, including Obion County.  In fact, according to the Tennessee Department of Revenue, these same 15 WTRA counties recorded a total of $4,003,745,769 in retail sales for the year 2012. (Note:  The 2013 retail sales figures will not be available until approximately April/May 2014.)

Jim Blankenship, Assistant Director

West Tennessee Industrial Association

www.wtia.org

Memphis Grizzlies Host Mid-South Chamber Night

On Saturday, March 1st, the Memphis Grizzlies will host Mid-South Chamber Night at FedExForum. Mike Conley and your Grizzlies look to continue their playoff push vs. Kyrie Irving and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

To celebrate this event, the Grizzlies are offering a special package for businesses looking to treat their employees to a night out:

For $875, you will receive:

• 25 Terrace Level Tickets
• 25 Replica Marc Gasol Jerseys
• 5 of your employees can high five the Grizzlies as they take the court
• $35 per additional ticket

For $2,500 you will receive:

• 25 First Tennessee Club Level Tickets
• 25 Replica Marc Gasol Jerseys
• 10 of your employees can high five the Grizzlies as they take the court
• $100 per additional ticket

To order this business package, contact Brendan Trelease at (901) 205-1446 or btrelease@grizzlies.com

Giveit2goodwill

If you haven't used it, worn it, or played with it in the last year, it's time to give it to Goodwill.

DE cluttering doesn't have to be daunting. Get tips for combating clutter, and learn more about how your donations change lives, on our website.

12 Donation Sites Extending Hours

January 2014 turned out to be the coldest month in more than a decade. When the weather turns cold, donations tend to drop. That's why we're extending hours at more donation sites, giving more people an opportunity to donate. Find your nearest Donation Express Center.

Goodwill relies heavily on donations to fulfill its mission of providing employment and training opportunities to people who have trouble finding and keeping jobs. You can make an immediate impact by shopping in the stores, or by donating the following items: clothing, household goods, shoes and accessories.

Searching for good employees?

Let Goodwill Career Solutions help. We not only help employees go to work; we also help employers find qualified, ready to work job applicants. We are a free service for the community.

For employers, we can host a job fair for your company. We will handle all the work whether you use online or paper applications.

We can also keep your applications on file.  You can have all your job application traffic flow through our office.

We are available to help in a number of ways.  Please call to set up a time to meet with our Career Counselor, Sandy Hickey at 731-884-4324.

1430 S. First Street, Union City, TN 38261 731-884-4324

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 Lindsay Frilling, Economic Development Director.

lfrilling@obioncounty.org