Welcome New Chamber Members!

Luke Parker Photography

315 S. Sixth St.

Union City, TN 38261

Phone: 731-796-1446

www.lukeparkerphotography.com

Business Representative: Luke Parker

The Bridge of West Tennessee

PO Box 1208

Union City, TN 38261

Phone: 731-335-5289

Business Representative: Nicole Kincade 

A Word from the 2015-2016 Chamber President

1 Thessalonians 5:11 says "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

We, as a community, have an opportunity to live this out by supporting our neighbors.

First of all, I would like to thank you for allowing me to serve as your new Chamber President for 2015 and 2016.  I would like to thank, Jo Ann Speer, our outgoing president, the board members and ambassadors, and the Chamber staff, Lindsay Frilling and Katie Keathley who work so hard to make Obion County a great place to live, work, and raise a family.  We have a great team ready to work with them to insure another amazing year for our community.

The Obion County Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to the success of the business community by helping new companies establish their presence in Obion County as well as those that have been doing business in Obion County for many years.  We encourage our residents to shop, dine, and buy local and support the local businesses.  They will return the support to Obion County through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures.

Because of the dedication and hard work of all who served before us and chose to volunteer their time and talents, we have a brighter future.  And we will feel a sense of pride because we call these small business people our friends.

On behalf of the Obion County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Membership, and Staff, I would like to encourage you to consider becoming a member of the Obion County Chamber of Commerce and please make plans attend our Chamber Events:

• Business Matters - the 3rd Tuesday of every month
• Business After Hours - typically 2 to 3 times a year
• Annual Banquet in the fall
• Obion County Cruise-In - September 19th, downtown First St.
• "Breakfast with the President"-quarterly for new chamber members
• Ribbon Cuttings
• Annual Golf Tournament in spring
• Look for various events throughout the year

Chamber events are fun and great networking tools, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Respectfully,

Amber Jones, Commercial Bank and Trust

Chamber President 2015-2016

The Obion County Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to providing education and support to strengthen and enhance economic success for its members, area businesses, and the region.  When you invest in the Obion County Chamber of Commerce, you join over 300 businesses and individuals whose focus is to make Obion County the best place to work, do business, and raise a family. Every business person needs to meet new people, make new contacts, and discover new prospects. We can help.  

The Obion County Chamber is an informational hub that stretches over all of Obion County.  Our goal is to be the "go to" organization to answer business and community questions.  All you need to do is call us when you have a question.

As a new chamber year approaches, we encourage you to continue your membership with the Obion County Chamber of Commerce in hopes that we can continue to be a marketing and information resource to help grow your business by providing an abundance of opportunities. Thank you for all of your support in making Obion County the best place to work, do business, and raise a family."

"As Membership Director, I am always out making chamber visits to our existing members as well as potential new members. I would love to have the opportunity to sit down with you and talk about what keeps you up at night.  Call me at 731-885-0211 or email kkeathley@obioncounty.org."

Welcome 2015-2016 Chamber Board! 

Amber Jones-President, Commercial Bank

Greg Dozier-President Elect, Leaders Credit Union

Jo Ann Speer-Past President, Everett-Stewart Regional Airport

Donnie Walton-Tennessee College of Applied Technology

Judy Barker-Attorney-at-Law

Donny Bearden-AmeriClear Rx

Jennifer Eason, Reelfoot Bank

Jim Cheatham, Universal Contractors

Lisa Isbell, First State Bank

Billy Jack Cranford, City of Union City

Jim Douglas, City of Union City

Hadley Malone, Obion County Farm Bureau

Trent Ams, Union City Carpet Center

Danny Patterson, Cox Oil Company

Lesley Anderson, Williams Sausage

Kerry Speer, Union City Daily Messenger

Kyle Baggett, First Citizens National Bank

Skipper Bondurant, Baptist Memorial Hospital

Kim Watts-Center Point Business Solutions

Welcome 2015-2016 Chamber Ambassadors! 

 Pictured: Tim York, Matt Sanner, Dustin McBride, Cassie Hickey, John Fry, Bradley Zill, Donnie Johnson, Bobie Collins, Tracy Boucher, Jeanette Davis, Allison Aumiller, Amber Armour. Sara Boyd, Lorraine Gossett, Brandi Wyrick, Amy Keathley, Emily Billingsley, Caitlyn Landry, Barbie Hardy Not Pictured: Heather Waggoner, Gentry Reedy, Bo Pate, Mikki McLeary, Emily Hall, Debbie Ams, Charlene Burpo
 

Ambassador Name: Bobie Collins 

Position: Employee Benefits Specialist/Life & Health Insurance Producer

Work Phone: 731-885-5453

Email: bcollins@westan.net

Areas of Expertise: Provide large and small employers, municipalities and individuals with cost-effective benefit plans and services.

As an employer benefits specialist, I craft programs to help employers recruit, retain and reward valued employees. I also advise and provide employers with comprehensive resources pertaining to PPACA, COBRA and ERISA compliance.

As a licensed and certified health and life insurance agent, I offer advice and guidance to individuals seeking health insurance, life insurance, disability insurance and long term care coverage.

Through my membership with the National Association of Health Underwriters and as current Secretary/Treasurer for the West Tennessee Association of Health Underwriters Chapter, I am able to take advantage of educational opportunities to further enhance my knowledge and expertise. As a NAHU member, I am able to conduct advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels of government to advance the interests of health insurance professionals and promote affordable and responsible private health insurance market solutions.

Other Interests: "My interests include keeping up with the multitude of activities my children enjoy such as softball, cheerleading and football while spending as much quality time with them as possible. Outside of my children, I love to cook and experiment in the kitchen for family and friends!"

Why did you join the Ambassador Program? "The Ambassador Program provides a plethora of valuable opportunities to encourage, cultivate and promote growth for businesses in Obion County by giving businesses a network in which to stay better connected."

Why do you serve as an Ambassador? "I am proud to be from Obion County and I want to be one of the first to welcome new and potential residents and businesses to our wonderful community and show them why they will love Obion County, too!"

What is the Chamber's role in the business community? "The Chamber's role in the business community is to enthusiastically promote growth by encouraging Obion County businesses to do business within Obion County while advocating and promoting Obion County to the outside world."

Red River Waste Solutions, LP. is a third generation owned business and has been in operation since 1953. Our home corporate office is  based out of Dripping Springs, TX. We currently operate in 7 states including our Tennessee operation here in Union City and Obion County. Both in our past and present, we take pride to service our military bases, like Schofield Barracks Hawaii, Fort Polk Louisiana and Fort Knox Kentucky. 

When coming into a community, one of the most important aspects is to give back to the community and be a part of their many activities. Our company became a waste service provider within this area in July 1, 2014 after being awarded the Union City contract. That is the very day we became part of this community. In August of 2014 we made our first debut at the Obion County Fair by participating in the Jr. Livestock Association by bidding and purchasing pigs. Since that time we have participated in several other community events, such as local Christmas parades; sponsored youth sport teams, made cash donations, and as well as the donating of our time, equipment, and service to special non-profit events like the Hometown Walk of Hope. When we can offer large roll-off containers to help manage the waste for City Beautiful clean-up days and for the Obion County Household Hazardous Waste Day Event, we know you have done the right thing for the environment and are part of this community.

July 1st will be our one year anniversary being a part of Obion County. Within our first year, we have expanded many of our services to neighboring counties and to southwest Kentucky. Red River has continued adding new employees due to our fortunate growth and have hired locally. We work with many of our local businesses to purchase operating supplies and materials and buy local fuel for our trucks. Ultimately, I would say we are community oriented.

Our operation facility is located at 1601 N. Hwy. 51 South, Union City TN. 38261. For more information about us or to inquire about service, call (731) 884-2860.

JEDC Hosts Discussion of Education Efforts
 

On June 3rd the Obion County JEDC convened education and workforce officials, as well as human resources professionals, to discuss our regional education efforts and our existing/future workforce. The Tennessee Career Center here in Union City sponsored breakfast and graciously hosted the meeting. This time together was viewed as a round table opportunity to discuss current programs and potential ideas for strengthening our area's workforce.

One of the most challenging issues facing our area across several industries is not only hiring, but successfully retaining skilled labor. A representative from the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) addressed this concern with an opportunity that some Tennesseans are probably not aware of. The TN Reconnect Program is a statewide initiative to help adults, regardless of their current educational standing, enter higher education to gain new skills, advance in the workplace, and complete a degree or credential. Over 11,000 adults across our great state have already taken advantage of this tuition-free grant. Some TCAT fields of study include HVAC, welding, industrial maintenance, practical nursing, and computer information technology. If you are reading this article and are interested in more information, or know someone who might be, please visit www.TNReconnect.gov.       

In addition to this program, an Area Specialist from the USDA informed the group about their REAP grant. This stands for Renewable Energy for America Program and has been made available to small businesses and agricultural producers in rural areas. The goal is to assist with the purchase of renewable energy systems or to make energy efficient improvements. This is another great example of a resource for our area that people need to be made aware exists. We are also fortunate to have the Obion County Chamber of Commerce, the West Tennessee Industrial Association, UT Martin, the REED Center, and the UT Center for Industrial Services. And this is by no means an exhaustive list of the many amenities that residents, as well as businesses, are able to utilize in our part of the state.

In my opinion, the most important aspect of the meeting was getting this information out in the open and establishing lines of communication. These programs and resources could potentially prove invaluable for not only businesses, but individuals looking for a career, or even a fresh start. Working together as a community will continue to strengthen our students, workforce, and industries, as well as increase employee retention rates. This inaugural roundtable was a great opportunity for people from different companies and backgrounds to come together for a common goal. Ultimately, we are all focused on the success of our little corner of the world, and hope to continue these meetings well in to the future.

Tim York, Center Point Business Solutions, Client Manager

Obion County Chamber of Commerce Ambassador 2015-2016

*For questions or comments contact the Obion County Chamber of Commerce at 731-885-0211 or visit us at www.obioncounty.org.            

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                               

CONTACT: Laura Elkins, TNECD

Thursday, May 28, 2015                                                                   

PHONE: (615) 532-1910                                                                                             

EMAIL: laura.elkins@tn.gov

TNECD LAUNCHES SELECT TENNESSEE PROPERTY EVALUATION PROGRAM

New Tool to Assist Counties, Improve Inventory of Industrial Sites

NASHVILLE - 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. 

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tnAchieves. TN Promise. Drive to 55. We need your help!

Tennessee Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Randy Boyd needs your help in supporting Governor Haslam's Drive to 55.

The tnAchieves mentoring program is accepting application for individuals interested in mentoring seniors of the Class of 2016. tnAchieves needs more than 9100 volunteers to mentor more than 60,000 students expected to apply for TN Promise in 2016.

Simply stated, a mentor's job is to get their students enrolled in higher education.  The mentoring experience has been very reward to the mentors and only "costs" about one hour per month.  However, that one hour has a positive impact on the lives of those students going to college!

Information on how to become a mentor can be found at tnachieves.org. When you sign up as a mentor, be sure to note the Obion County Chamber of Commerce as "credit" for you commitment.