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 June 2015 Newsletter
Mission Statement:  "It's our home, we make it better." 

Welcome New Chamber Members!

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Brown's Meat Company

2258 Old Dixie Rd.

Troy, TN 38260

Phone: 731-538-2771

Business Representative: Dustin Terrell

  

Simple Weddings & Photography

891 Yellow Hammer Rd

Troy, TN 38260

Phone: 731-504-0501

Business Representative: Trish Dial

May Ribbon Cuttings

Tennessee National Guard

Business Representative: Bo Pate

2017 E. Reelfoot Ave

Union City, TN 38261

Phone: 731- 336-0199

Simple Weddings & Photography

891 Yellow Hammer Rd

Troy, TN 38260

Phone: 731-504-0501

Business Representative: Trish Dial

OBION COUNTY NATIONAL GUARD RECRUITING

 

The National Guard can trace its origins all the way back to 1636 and is now the largest, most versatile, and locally relative branch that the Military has to offer.  I'm Sgt. Bo Pate, and I am the new National Guard Recruiter for Obion County. My job is to not only introduce what the Guard has to offer to highly motivated individuals, but it also consists of being the face of the National Guard within the community and heading up any projects, partnerships, and events that the National Guard can potentially help with and be part of.

What can the National Guard do for your business? The National Guard produces some of the most well trained, professionals within the community, and these individuals only wear the uniform one weekend per month and two weeks during the summer. This means that most of our soldiers are looking for a career to go along with their part time career within the National Guard. The National Guard is also always looking for your employees that want more out of their lives. If your employees join the National Guard, they'll have access to our affordable healthcare, an extra retirement, extra income, unlimited job skills, and a way to pay for their furthered education.  This takes that stress off of employers, and produces a more professional, confident, and stable employee.

What can the National Guard do for your community? The National Guard has a mission to assist its community in any way it can within the boundaries of our command. Whether it be small meetings, large events, or even development classes, the National Guard can bring something to the table. We can supply people to help during events, static displays (Equipment, Signs, etc...), and even hand outs / grab bags for events. The National Guard offers a large list of development classes that can be brought to your organization and taught to a large number of participants to help develop more well rounded individuals within the community.

What can the National Guard do for you? The answer to that is simple. It can change your life. You'll not only be the first line of defense, here at home,  to protect your friends, family, community , and country, but the National Guard will also give YOU the opportunity to better yourself through on the job training, money for furthered education, part time employment, up to $20,000 enlistment bonuses for non prior service enlistments, up to $30,000 enlistment bonuses for prior service enlistments, retirement plan, affordable healthcare, and countless other benefits that come with being a member of The Greatest Team On Earth, The National Guard.

I'm honored to be Recruiting for the National Guard in the same county I was born and raised in, and I'm looking forward to being part of the betterment of our community and working alongside the people that help to keep it going.  If you or someone you know is interested in what your local National Guard can do for your business, community, or YOU,  I can be contacted by call or text at 731-336-0199 or you can reach me on my email at [email protected]

Annual Chamber Golf Tournament Winners
We had a GREAT golf tournament this year with 25 teams of four playing and because of the support of our sponsors we were able to give over $2500 worth of door prizes away! We hope you will join us next year as we plan to make it bigger and better every year!

First Place: Union City Insurance

Second Place: 5 Seasons Mens Shop

Third Place: Gibson Electric Membership Corporation 

National Nursing Home Week
 
Golden Living Center

The Obion County Chamber got the privilege to be a part of "National Nursing Home Week" with some of our local nursing homes where State Representative Bill Sanderson presented them with a proclamation. We appreciate all you do! Your service isn't unnoticed and we thank you for caring for those in need.

Union City Nursing and Rehab

WHAT IS A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AMBASSADOR?

As a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, you are a front line representative for the Obion County Chamber of Commerce at public and Chamber sponsored events/activities. You will assist in the promotion, volunteer support and development of various Chamber sponsored events. As an Ambassador, your dedication, time and efforts are appreciated and highly valued by the Board of Directors, Chamber Staff and Membership during your one year term. You ARE the backbone of the Obion County Chamber of Commerce.


 

REWARDS OF SERVING AS AN AMBASSADOR:

-Recognition opportunity in the Chamber's monthly publication Commerce

-Recognition at events and internal meetings

-Ambassador of the Year recognition opportunity at Annual Banquet

-Develop new business contacts

 

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA AND EXPECTATIONS?

You must be an employee of a current business member in good standing with the Obion County Chamber of Commerce. The signature of your Supervisor on the Ambassador Application form is required showing approval of your active commitment, involvement and of your business's support of this Chamber Ambassador Program. This ensures that the business member is aware of what the Ambassador Committee entails. It is advised that you obtain at least 2 points each month or a total of 24/per year to ensure active status within this program.

 

You may obtain a point each in any of the following ways:

- Attendance at Ambassador Committee meetings: Please be aware that the standard meeting will be held quarterly at noon throughout the Chamber year at the Obion County Chamber of Commerce office.

- Showing your support by attending ribbon cuttings or ground breaking ceremonies and welcoming the new members.

- Attending (or, volunteering when needed) at any Business Matters, Business After-Hours, Breakfast with the President, Golf Tournament and Annual Banquet as well as any other events hosted by the Obion County Chamber of Commerce.

- Referring prospects to the Membership Director. Credit is given when the business referred becomes a new member.

- Donating auction items or door prizes for Chamber special events, when the need arises. You will personally network for your fellow Obion County Chamber of Commerce members by verbally promoting their goods and services to other members, as well as to potential members and continually provide leads and information about new businesses in the community. Becoming a CHAMBER AMBASSADOR is being committed to conduct in a manner that generates community trust and confidence in the Obion County Chamber of Commerce. You will personally promote high standards, ethics and integrity. 

 

*If you are interested in taking your involvement with Obion County to the next level through our Ambassador Program we ask for a one year commitment beginning this July.  Please contact Katie Keathley at 731-885-0211 or [email protected] if you would like to be a part of this program.  

 

Ambassador Testimonial

"Being an Ambassador for the Obion County Chamber has been a great testament in my life and career. I have been able to establish lifelong friendships, as well as establish some great benefits for the company I work for. I have been able to network with some of best leaders of our community, which has allowed me to see how they are addressing issues within their businesses and some processes they are using to grow and make their businesses more successful. From being at just one meeting, I happened to speak with someone who told me about a program that I was able to implement at the company I work for. So far, in less than one year, this program has saved the company over $30,000.00! Last but not least, you get to advertise your business while at the meetings and the Chamber helps to promote your business by utilizing their website to reach over 300 members who read the Chamber emails and can see your advertisements and talking points about your company. Overall it is a great experience with great people, all while getting to help mold the community you work and raise your family in." -Dustin McBride, Cox Oil

Obion County Adopts Framework to Drive Economic Growth

 

Obion County announced today its participation in the ACT Work Ready Communities initiative, a workforce system designed to assist sites and regions in developing their workforce pipeline to provide skilled workers for employers.  Held at the Humboldt Medical Center, the Kick-off Celebration recognized the efforts of the Obion County Work Ready committee and 10 other counties in northwest Tennessee as the first counties in Tennessee to launch the program. 

 

Obion County has been accepted into the ACT Work Ready Communities Academy, an executive leadership and training program for local officials. The Work Ready Communities framework allows each participating community to quantify and improve the skill levels of its workforce through a standardized workforce skill credential and a robust data infrastructure that help measure, identify, and close skill gaps.

 

As communities sign up and begin to work toward their certification goals, they will empower:

  • Business and industry to identify the foundational skills they need for a productive workforce and easily communicate their needs
  • Individuals to understand what skills are required by employers and how to prepare themselves for success
  • Policy makers to consistently measure the skills gap at the national, state, and local levels
  • Educators with tools and industry-recognized credentials to help close the skills gap
  • Economic developers with an on-demand reporting tool to market the quality of the local workforce.

Obion County is one of only 11 counties in the state participating in the 2-year project, all of which are located in northwest Tennessee.  Obion County Mayor Benny McGuire states, "The goal is to have more than 868 people in Obion County certified during the project and to bring on board at least 31 employers supporting ACT WorkKeys Job Profiling and the National Career Readiness Certificate.  As of today we are at 85% of the goals we are set to attain by May 2017.  I'd like to encourage our employer community to support this initiative as we go forward in order to continue to move beyond our goals!"

 

For more information about Obion County's progress, go to http://workreadycommunities.org/TN/131

For general information on this initiative, go to http://workreadycommunities.org.

For more information on all of ACT's workforce solutions, go to http://act.org/workforce.

 

The Work Ready Community Initiative is a collaboration of community partners led by the Northwest TN Workforce Board. For more information on the northwest Tennessee ACT Work Ready Community efforts, contact Ginger Powell at 731-784-5221.

TN ECD LAUNCHES SELECT TENNESSEE PROPERTY EVALUATION PROGRAM
 
 

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced today it has launched the Select Tennessee Property Evaluation Program (PEP). The goal of this new tool is to improve the inventory of industrial sites and buildings in Tennessee by evaluating potential properties and advising counties on where investment may be most beneficial and what steps may be needed to address issues.

 

"We think of available and developable sites as product on a shelf, and through PEP, we are doubling down our efforts to keep these shelves well-stocked," Commissioner Randy Boyd said. "If there is no product available to sell, businesses aren't going to grow and locate here. PEP will help us make sure our counties have product and are better prepared for economic growth."

 

Based on the principals of the department's Select Tennessee Site Certification Program and with the assistance of site selection firm Austin Consulting, PEP will benefit counties through emphasizing the importance of and assisting with planning for the future. This includes both readying industrial properties for near-term development as well as creating a pipeline of properties for future development.

 

"Prepared and available properties are essential for a county to be competitive for industrial recruitment," TNECD Site Development Director Leanne Cox said. "PEP will provide counties with a comprehensive assessment and professional advice to help evaluate properties under consideration for development."

 

"The Property Evaluation Program allows communities to take a fresh look at their current and potential industrial sites," Austin Consulting Senior Location Consultant Jonathan Gemmen said. "The process provides unbiased feedback on which sites can most quickly be readied to accommodate new industrial investment, as well as which sites offer inherent advantages for industry. Most important, it sets the table for community leaders to develop and implement an industrial real estate strategy for the next decade or longer."

 

A limited number of counties will be selected each round to participate for free through a competitive application process.  Selection will be based on the ability to demonstrate local need and market demand for industrial properties and also on the county's ability to assemble viable properties with market potential.

 

For counties selected to participate, the program includes: an educational webinar on the site selection process and PEP; a review and on-site visit by Austin Consulting; and a comprehensive assessment addressing each property's strengths, weaknesses and recommended next steps to improve marketability.

 

The application process begins with the submission of the Letter of Interest, available here.  Upon receipt of the letter, counties will be provided with the application. Completed applications must be received by August 7 to be considered for the fall 2015 round. Applications received after this date will be considered for the spring 2016 round.

 

About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

Tennessee was named 2014 and 2013 "State of the Year" for economic development by Business Facilities magazine. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development's mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.

Union City High School Ranks in Top 15 Within State






In This Issue
Archived Obion County Chamber of Commerce Newsletters

Join Our Mailing List  

 

 
Psst...It's about the Network
Psst, it's the network, dummy.
 

  

Topic: 

Obion County Fair Association

 

Presenter:

Obion County Fair Board Members

 

When:

June 16, 2015

8:00am-9:00am

 

Where:

Obion County Public Library

 

Sponsored By:

Obion County Fair Association

May Business Matters-Obion County Adult Leadership
 
Class members of Obion County Adult Leadership spoke at this month's Business Matters. Obion County Adult Leadership applications are available at the Main Street Office! If you haven't participated yet, make sure to sign up for next year's class!
Business After-Hours        

Last week during Goodwill Career Week, our local Goodwill Career Solutions location hosted a Business After-Hours for businesses to come together to network, shake hands, and socialize! We appreciate Goodwill Career Solutions for supporting this effort and a thanks to everyone who came out to support Goodwill! Be sure to join us next time for Business After-Hours to build and strengthen your relationships! 

 

Industry Appreciation Breakfast-
TCAT Newbern Celebrates 50 years!

We want to thank our local industries for coming out this morning and giving us the opportunity to just say THANK YOU! We appreciate all you do to make Obion County so great. Also, a huge thanks to TCAT-Newbern for sponsoring this event! They are celebrating 50 years so if you see them out, be sure to thank them for all of their efforts in helping students and parents prepare for the workforce!

 

Goodwill Career Solutions Hosts Job Fair


 
Goodwill Career Solutions hosted a job fair on Wednesday May 6 at the National Guard Armory.  In attendance were A Place Called Home, Center Point Business Solutions, Union City Coca-Cola, Cox Oil Company, Fulton County Transit, Greenfield Products, Hamilton-Ryker, Haws Memorial Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Job World Inc, Kayser Automotive Systems, Lowe's, Manpower, McDowell Center, Pilgrim's Pride, RHA West TN, St. John's Community Service, Thunderbolt Broadcasting Co, Trinity Marine Products, Tyson Foods, and Waymatic to let job seekers know about openings and collected completed applications.  Bethel Univeristy Associates, Bethel University Success, 

Freed Hardeman, West TN Business College, and TN College of Applied Technology Newbern were also on-site and delivered information about enrolling in their various programs.  The TN Career Coach and Goodwill Career Solutions also set up and presented information about their services.  Pay rates ranged from $7.25 to $18.20 per hour.  The job fair was a huge success with 278 job seekers attending.

 

Don Sol "Celebrates for a Cure"

Thanks to everyone that came out on Cinco de Mayo we are able to donate $2500 to the Obion County Hometown Walk of Hope. We are very satisfied with the outcome of the event.It feels great to be able to help out for such a great cause. We look forward to do it again next year and we are beyond thankful for everyone in the community who supports us!!!

-George Leal, Manager of Don Sol Mexican Grill 

DISCOVERY PARK OF AMERICA

AWARDED 2015 TRIPADVISOR CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE

 

Recognized as a Top Performing Attraction as Reviewed by Travelers on the

World's Largest Travel Site

 

June 1st, 2015- Discovery Park of America today announced that it has received a TripAdvisor� Certificate of Excellence award. Now in its fifth year, the award celebrates excellence in hospitality and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve great traveler reviews on TripAdvisor. Certificate of Excellence winners include accommodations, eateries and attractions located all over the world that have continually delivered a superior customer experience. 

 

When selecting Certificate of Excellence winners, TripAdvisor uses a proprietary algorithm to determine the honorees that takes into account the quality, quantity and recency of reviews and opinions submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period as well as business's tenure and ranking on the Popularity Index on the site.  To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.

 

      "Winning the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence is a true source of pride for the entire team at Discovery Park and we'd like to thank all of our past guests who took the time to complete a review on TripAdvisor," said Mary Nita Bondurant,  Marketing Director at Discovery Park.   "There is no greater seal of approval than being recognized by one's customers. With the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence based on customer reviews, the accolade is a remarkable vote of confidence to our business and our continued commitment to excellence."

 

"TripAdvisor is pleased to honor exceptional hospitality businesses that have received consistent praise and recognition by travelers on the site," said Marc Charron President, TripAdvisor for Business. "By putting a spotlight on businesses that are focused on delivering great service to customers, TripAdvisor not only helps drive increasing hospitality standards around the world, it also gives businesses both large and small the ability to shine and stand out from the competition."

State of Retail 2015 Report

 

TimeTrade recently conducted a survey of 1,029 consumers, which asked in-depth questions regarding their perceptions and behaviors around retail shopping. The survey reveals that the physical retail store is still relevant because more than ever, customers are looking to the in-store experience to help them validate their final purchasing decisions.  Some survey highlights reveal that:

  • Consumers prefer Brick & Mortar over Online Stores: More than 70% of Consumers would prefer to shop a brick & mortar Amazon store versus Amazon.com.
  • In-store expertise drives purchase volume: 90 percent of consumers are more likely to buy when helped by a knowledgeable associate.
  • In-store purchasing preferences span generations: 92 percent of responding Millennials plan to shop in-store in 2015 as often or more than they did in 2014.
  • Mobile purchasing is slow to grow: Only 13 percent of respondents have previously made a purchase using a mobile device.

This report examines the current state of retail, what changes are occurring in terms of consumer habits and what actions retailers need to take in order to retain their customers. This report also gives an overview of TimeTrade's consumer survey data as well as research from other sources, and analysis from industry experts.  Click Here to download the full report.

2015 Tennessee Vacation Guides  Now Available!

The Tennessee Tourism programs are evolving more and more as tourism continues to grow statewide. The over 3.8 million visitors to tnvacation.com with over 11 million page views is more robust than ever, offering banner advertising and featured content to showcase your story.

 

An exciting report from third-party research in the State of the American Traveler reports that travel expectations are high with 32% of Americans planning to increase leisure travel spending in the next 12 months. And, more exciting, 43.8% of American Leisure Travelers are using print publications in trip planning, with 13% (or almost 1 in 6) US Travelers reporting use of an Official Visitor Guide. (Research from Destination Analysts) These are all strong evidence that the official Tennessee Vacation Guide, backed by the $12 million marketing budget, is a great place to make your money go further and reach farther into the Tennessee Visitor market. For your own 2015 Tennessee Vacation Guide click here.  

Attention Job Seekers and Employers!

The Tennessee Career Center at Union City is offering Resume Writing work shops on  Tuesday afternoons at 1 PM. Job seekers interested in attending a workshop will need to complete a resume' worksheet prior to attending a session. Space is limited, so registration is required. Register by  calling 731-884-3868 between 8-4:30 Monday - Friday.

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.

[email protected]

South Fulton Community Alerts

For community alerts in the South Fulton area...text "SOUTHFULTON" to 888777 and enter your zip code when directed.  For more information visit www.nixle.com

Interested in sponsoring Business Matters or Business After Hours?

Contact Lindsay Frilling at

 731-885-0211 or [email protected]