October Ribbon Cuttings 

The Etheridge House Assisted Living & The Arbors Memory Care

701 Sherrill St.

Union City, TN 38261

731-885-6992

The Arbors at Etheridge House

Business Representative: Cindy Cox

White Squirrel Winery

4385 South hwy 45 West

Kenton, TN 38233

731-706-1713

Business Representative: Bill Sanderson

  Braylee's Cottage & Zoo

228 South 1st Street

Union City, Tennessee 38261

(731) 335-6650

Business Representative: Sueann Fleenor 

The mission of the Obion County Health Department and the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote, and improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee.  In order to better work towards this goal, Dr. John Dreyzehner, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health, established the Primary Prevention Initiative (PPI) in 2012.  The goal of PPI is to focus the Department's energy on primary prevention, or eliminating risk factors for later problems.  The intent of this project is for all Tennessee Department of Health employees to engage in primary prevention efforts in their communities.

In Obion County, the PPI Teams are composed of health department and regional office staff and their main primary prevention focus areas in Obion County are obesity and teen pregnancy.  The teams present a number of programs around the county for adults and children including self-esteem and character building, healthy relationships and decision-making, nutrition education, exercise promotion, and workplace wellness.

The PPI Staff stated that they are most proud of the program they hosted with the Obion County Cub Scouts at their recent Pack Meeting.  Because of the meeting's proximity to Halloween, the PPI team presented a program on bone health; what the scouts need to do to have healthy bones; and why healthy bones are important later in life.  Following the presentation, the scouts played a rousing game of "Bone Bingo" which was a relay game that involved performing a variety of physical activities to fill a bingo card.  Both the PPI Team and the Cub Scouts immensely enjoyed the program, and the team is looking forward to similar opportunities to educate Obion County residents in the future.

In addition to PPI efforts, interested residents of the Obion County Community are members of the Obion County Community Health Council.  The council acts as a working council whose purpose is to address health issues of significance, resource availability and allocation, and to develop strategies to improve health outcomes within the community. For the 2014-2015 year, the Obion County Health Council has selected tobacco use and prevention, obesity, and teen pregnancy prevention as the top three priorities on which the council will focus.

For additional information about the Obion County Health Council or the Primary Prevention Initiative, please contact Jackie Franks at the Obion County Health Department at 885-8722 or Jaclyn.franks@tn.gov.

Waymatic Celebrates 60 Years!

Eddie Wright, David Easterwood, Michael Easterwood, CEO

Board Member Spotlight

Board Member Name: Jennifer Eason

Company Name: Reelfoot Bank

Position: Loan Processor

Work Phone: 731-885-1010

Email: jeason@reelfootbank.com

Areas of Expertise: Commercial, Residential, and Consumer Loan Processing

Other Interests:

Church, Photography, Traveling

Why did you join the Chamber?

"I joined the Chamber because I wanted to be active in the community.  I like that the Chamber offers programs that are helpful and informative to small businesses."

Why do you serve on the Board of Directors?

"Serving on the Board of Directors allows me to have a voice when decisions are made to help our community grow and prosper."

What is the Chamber's role in the business community?

"Assisting to help local businesses and grow and succeed."

Ambassador Member Spotlight

Ambassador Name:  Mandy Hinson

Company Name:  WLJT

Position:  Manager of Individual Giving

Work Phone: 731.881.7561

Email: mhinson @ wljt.org

Areas of Expertise:

 "I enjoy educating people about the role public television plays in our community.  WLJT is the public television station for West Tennessee.  Our mission is to serve West Tennessee by providing a world of learning and discovery through quality programming, educational services, and online information that educates, inspires, and entertains.  I encourage people to support WLJT through networking, pledge drives, special events and mail campaigns."

Other Interests:

 "I love spending time with my family, my husband Brent and our son, Xavier.  I am  co-president of the Union City Elementary School PTO, I am on the executive committee of Obion County CornFest and on the board of Leadership Obion County.  My family and I are all very excited to be part of this year's Masquerade Theatre's production of Miracle on 34th Street." 

Why did you join the Chamber?

"One of the best things about living in a small town is that you know everyone!  The Obion County Chamber takes that a step further... allowing us to know everyone - and be able to support everyone.  I love how the chamber gets the entire community involved in different events and activities while supporting small businesses."

Why do you serve as an Ambassador?

"I believe in what our chamber does - and I want to be a part of it!"

What is the Chamber's role in the business community?

"Our Chamber plays a wonderful role in our community!  I can't tell you how many times I have called Katie and Lindsay and asked questions or asked for advice on different projects that our television station is working on.  Those two women do the work of a dozen people!  I also appreciate the networking opportunities that the chamber offers!  I have made wonderful contacts because of the efforts of the chamber."  

Programs benefit from 3-Star grants

The entire community will benefit from $10,000 worth of ThreeStar Grants awarded to Obion County programs. Grants of $5,000 each were presented to the Obion County Sheriff's Department for implementation of the TipSoft text message and email alert system and to the Obion County School System for its Back Pack Program. The Obion County Joint Economic Development Council made the application for the grants. The Governor's ThreeStar Program, administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development is designed to focus on areas identified as critical to ensuring the success of Tennessee communities. Those five pillars include jobs and economic development, fiscal strength and efficient government, public safety, education and workforce development and health and welfare.

Sponsorships Available:

Platinum: $1,000 (Seating for 10)

Gold: $500 (Seating for 5)

Bronze: $250 (Seating for 3)

Award Nomination Qualifications

Award Nominations Being Accepted

• 2014 Ambassador of the Year: Recognizing a community leader who donates his or her time to Obion County Chamber activities and events.
• 2014 Board Member of the Year: Presented to the board member who put forth extraordinary efforts on behalf of the Obion County Chamber of Commerce.
• 2014 Industry of the Year
• 2014 Business of the Year
• 2014 Small Business of the Year (10 or less employees)
• 2014 Business Partner of the Year
• 2014 You Made It Happen Award: Given to a business owner or manager who best exemplifies their generosity in giving time, money, staff, and/or facility for community benefit

Nominee Criteria

1.  Must be a member in good standing of Obion County Chamber of Commerce and/or the Obion County Industrial Development Corporation.

2.  Must be in business in Obion County. Recipient must work in Obion County.

3.  Must demonstrate a commitment to good and ethical business practices.

4. Must demonstrate innovation in products or services.

5. Must demonstrate community leadership and involvement.

6. Must maintain a responsible and rewarding workplace environment, reflecting training and motivation of employees.

7. Must demonstrate extraordinary customer service.

Tell us WHY you are nominating this business, industry, and/or educator (you can nominate one in each category): history of the business, its contributions to our community, extraordinary customer service, dedication, innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, etc.

This is an exciting opportunity to acknowledge the important contributions made to our community. Send in those nominations! Deadline is Friday, November 7, 2014.

Thank you for continuing your OCIDC Membership!

ATMOS Energy

Carpenter Real Estate Company

Century 21 Golden Service Realty

Dixie Gun Works, Inc.

Farm Credit Services

First State Bank

Forcum Lannom Contractors

Forcum Lannom Contractors

Fuller Partners Real Estate

G & H Tool & Die, Inc.

Griffin Industries

Hampton Inn

Herman Jenkins Motors

J.R. Wauford & Company

Jere W. Crenshaw D.D.S.

Jiffy Steamer

Reelfoot Bank

Revell Construction

Southern Machinery Repair

Sullivan Dentistry

Town of Troy

Tyson Foods

Union City Daily Messenger

Union City Electric System

Union City Ford Lincoln

Union City Insurance

Union City Rotary Club

Vaughn Electric Company

Warner Law Firm

West Kentucky Rural Telephone Cooperative, Inc.

Williams Sausage

Topic:

WLJT-TV Public Television for West Tennessee: 

Fulfilling the need for knowledge and enhancing the quality of life for West Tennesseans

Presenters:

Mandy Hinson, Monica Cochran and David Sudberry

When:

November 18, 2014

8:00am-9:00am

Where:

Obion County Public Library

Sponsored By:

WLJT-TV

Local Chamber and Community Go Above and Beyond for Fall Grand

Earlier this month, Obion County and the surrounding area hosted the Fall International Grand Hunting Retriever Trials. Representatives from all across the United States were present as well as Canada bringing in more than $1 million in revenue for the local community.

Obion County has hosted the two largest participation events for the Fall International Grand Hunting Retriever Series both in 2009 and now 2014.

The Tennessee River Hunting and Retriever Club would like to personally thank the community of Obion County for your generous contributions through sponsorships and items donated for the goody bags. Guests enjoyed their stay and left Obion County with nothing but positive comments about their visit. This event is a huge undertaking and there is no way it could have been a successful event without companies like yours, helping us.

"I would like to personally thank Lindsay and Katie of the Obion County Chamber of Commerce, its Board of Directors and Ambassadors for its involvement in this event. There is no way our club could have pulled this off without the generous support and help you all provided us with. You all went above and beyond the call of duty and for that we are greatly appreciative of all you do for our community." Dr. Leland Davis said.

*Article submitted by Dr. Leland Davis of Reelfoot Animal Hospital and President of The Northwest Tennessee River Hunting and Retriever Club

October Business Matters

At the Obion County Chamber of Commerce's Business Matters meeting held on October 21 at the Obion County Public Library, representatives from Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City discussed various aspects of breast cancer with local business and civic leaders.  The speakers emphasized the importance of early detection and recommended that women who are older than 40 have yearly mammograms.  Presenting information were (left to right) Scott Becton, director of radiology; Melanie Nicks, mammography technologist; Dr. Jennifer DiCocco, general surgeon; Skipper Bondurant, administrator and CEO; and Dr. Wright Jernigan, general/vascular surgeon.  For more information about the Mammography Suite for Women at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City, please call 884-3055.

Business After Hours

Local chamber members gathered over food and drinks last month during a Business After Hours hosted by Celebrations and Creative Catering. For all your holiday catering events be sure to book Celebrations and Creative Catering located at 125 E. Main St. or call (731) 363-1585!

The New Customer Loyalty Program-LoyalBlocks

LoyalBlocks is the first fully automated, mobile-based loyalty solution for brick & mortar merchants and their customers.

LoyalBlocks automatically recognizes customers as they walk into a business, punching their mobile punch-card and sending tailored promotions their way. Customers don't even have to open the app, they simply walk-in and a tailored experience is triggered!

LoyalBlocks creates a seamless, sustainable customer-merchant relationship: Customers gets hassle free incentives to visit their favorite spots, and merchants get a highly effective method of communicating with customers, incentivizing foot traffic and rewarding loyalty.

For more information click here: http://www.loyalblocks.com/

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