Welcome New Chamber Members!

Hilliard Lyons

1950 Hwy 51 Bypass N.

Dyersburg, TN 38024

P: 800-588-1740 F: 731-287-9707

www.hilliard.com

Business Representative: Ben Ferguson

Scarlett Rain, LLC

211 S. First St.

Union City, TN 38261

Phone: 731-599-5057

Business Representative: Lindsey Matheny

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Masquerade Theatre, Inc.

120 South First Street

Union City, TN 38261

Phone: 731-246-0038

www.ucmasqueradetheatre.com

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Monsanto

2303 Pleasant Valley Rd.

Union City, TN 38261

P: 731-885-7421 F: 731-8859285

Business Representative: Nancy Adams

Two Doors Down Boutique

426 Lake St.

Fulton, KY 42041

Phone: 731-472-5808

Business Representative: Teresa Wright

Amber Jones

Commercial Bank and Trust Company

Secondary Market Mortgage Liaison Work

731-884-4247

ajones@cbtcnet.com

Areas of Expertise:

"I have worked in every area of banking over the last 15 years from the teller line to working with the secondary market mortgage department in my current role.  I also assist our loan officers in preparing documents for all types of loans."

Other Interests:

"I have two children, ages 13 and 7, and currently my spare time is spent keeping up with their various activities.  I am also an actively involved member of Second Baptist Church."

Why did you join the Chamber?

"I think the Chamber is an important part of commerce in a community, and I was interested in being a part of helping all our businesses, from industry to mom and pop shops, grow."

Why do you serve on the Board of Directors?

"Having grown up in Obion County, and now having children growing up here, I was eager to be involved in the growth of this amazing small town. It allows me to help, first hand, in making sure the businesses here are taken care of, and that their needs/requests are met. I also get to express my opinion as an employee of a local bank, a resident, and parent."

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

"I have seen first-hand how the Chamber uses events, such as Business Matters and Business After Hours, to assist in all businesses in our community being able to network. This is crucial for businesses, new, old, small, and large, in our area to grow and succeed. Currently, serving as Vice President, I am looking forward to moving in to the President role of our chamber board in July and see what the year 2015-2016 has in store for us."

February Ribbon Cuttings

2015 Union City J'Cette Officers Installed

2015 New Officers:

Katie Keathley, Secretary, Emily Gallimore, President, Michelle Bing, Assistant Treasurer, Anna Parks, Publicist, Jackie Richardson, Internal Vice-President, Stacey Haynes, Chaplain Not Pictured: Lauren Stallings, External Vice-President, Melanie Cole, Treasurer

2014 Outgoing Officers:

Lindsay Frilling, President, Michelle Bing, Internal Vice-President, Emily Hall, External Vice-President, Wendy Rice, Treasurer Not Pictured: Lauren Stallings, Chaplain, Codi Curlin, Publicist

Union City Named #9 of Top Ten Places to Retire in Tennessee

Union City has been ranked one of the Top 10 places to retire in Tennessee by SmartAsset, a financial technology company.  A happy, healthy retirement depends a lot on location. To find the best places to retire, SmartAsset gathered data for a study and considered four main factors that affect the quality of life for retirees.

"First, we looked at state and local tax rates, considering two types of taxes: income and sales. We calculated effective rates based on a typical retiree, earning $35,000 annually (from retirement savings, social security or part-time employment) and spending their disposable income on taxable goods. Next, we determined the number of doctors' offices, recreation centers and retirement centers per thousand residents in each area. Finally, we found the number of seniors in each area as a percentage of the total population," a SmartAsset spokesman said.  "In our final analysis, we ranked each county and city on these three factors, and calculated an average ranking for each area, weighting the three factors equally. The areas with the lowest average ranking are the best places to retire," the spokesman added.

Union City ranks No. 9, with statistics including 15.8 percent taxes, three doctors offices per 1,000 people, .2 recreation centers per 1,000 people, .7 retirement centers per 1,000 people and 16.1 percent of seniors.

Other cities in the top 10 in Tennessee are No. 1 Crossville, No. 2 Paris, No. 3 Winchester, No. 4 Savannah, No. 5 McMinn-ville, No. 6 Brentwood, No. 7 Sevierville, No. 8 Lawrenceburg and No. 10 Maryville.

Lindsay Frilling, economic development director for the Obion County Joint Economic Development Council, is excited about the honor.  "Tennessee hosted the AARC (American Association of Retirement Communities) Conference in Memphis last October. I attended and learned some of the benefits of recruiting and retaining retirees in our community," she said.  "America's retirement population is growing rapidly and many retirees are looking to relocate in order to enjoy better weather and lower taxes. Activities that many retirees enjoy include shopping, dining, exercising and traveling. The benefit of retirees to Obion County is that they are like 'permanent tourists,'" she said, adding "With every retiree recruited, more jobs are needed, particularly those outside of manufacturing. Businesses that often see the most job growth include medical and financial, which are typically higher paying jobs."

Obion County has an active senior citizens center based in Union City, which has everything from games and crafts to exercise classes and dances. The center offers blood pressure clinics, health fairs and aqua massages for its members. Center staff also plan annual trips for area senior citizens.

SmartAsset provides transparent, automated and accurate advice on big personal finance decisions. SmartAsset helps users arrive at the best answers and make the best decisions concerning their finances. The company is based in New York City and is backed by investors including Y Combinator, Javelin Venture Partners, North Bridge Venture Partners, Quotidian Ventures, Peterson Ventures and more.

Story courtesy of the Union City Daily Messenger

Release No. 0039.15

Contact:

Jennifer Martin (202) 720-8188

USDA Announces $9 Million to Support Community Food Projects Program

WASHINGTON, Feb. 19, 2015 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced the availability of $9 million in funding to assist low-income individuals and communities in developing local and independent food systems. NIFA is funding the grants through the Community Food Projects program (CFP), authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill).

"Community Foods Projects provide the opportunity for low-income communities to become more self-reliant and take control of their own food systems," said Sonny Ramaswamy, NIFA director. "These projects create food systems that are economically equitable and socially and environmentally sustainable, providing real solutions for communities most in need."

Community Food Projects involve the entire food system. Projects assess strengths and establish connections among existing food systems, resulting in improved food systems that support self-reliance.

Grants are intended to help eligible, private, nonprofit entities in need of a one-time installment of federal assistance to establish and carry out multipurpose community food projects. Projects are funded from $10,000 to $300,000 and up to 36 months. All grants require a dollar-for-dollar match in resources.

Applications are due March 17, 2015. Please see the request for applications for specific program requirements.

10kW Solar Array Powers Small Business

As a large producer of grapes and a connoisseur of wine, Bill Sanderson had a dream to own a Winery that offered a Tasting Facility and Event Hall. Construction costs and future operating expenses were a major obstacle for business owners, Bill and Marjie Sanderson. Discussing his idea with employees of the Union City Area Office, Mr. Sanderson learned about the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).  He was intrigued by the thought of owning a Solar Array that could power his tasting room at White Squirrel Winery while reducing energy costs and the carbon footprint of the business.  His research of Solar Energy and Solar Companies in the area soon led to a partnership with  Gibson Electric Membership Corporation, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Rural Development, and Solar & Renewable Power Systems.  The 10kW solar array was designed to meet the power needs of the White Squirrel Winery, and any energy created over and above what it takes to power the facility may be sold back to TVA.  Presently, the system is producing about twice the energy needed to operate the facility.

The Rural Energy for America Program helps rural businesses and agricultural producers purchase and install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements, lowering utility costs and increasing America's energy independence.  All projects must be located in a rural area, must be technically feasible, and must be owned by the applicant.

USDA Rural Development invests in jobs, infrastructure, community development, health, education, homeownership and affordable rental housing to improve the lives of people in rural areas and the economic health of rural communities. Since 2009, the agency has assisted more than 1.5 million families and businesses in over 230 communities in all 95 counties of Tennessee, investing more than $5.4 Billion into local economies through affordable loans, loan guarantees and grants.

Fast Facts:

Obligation Amount: $11,673 Grant

Date of Obligation: August 2014

Congressional District: Fincher TN-8

Senator's Last Names: Alexander, Corker