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 February 2016 Newsletter
Mission Statement:  "It's our home, we make it better." 

*Deadline extended to Wednesday, February 3, 2016 
Welcome New Chamber Members! 
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HTS Mixing
1101 Wolverine Rd.
Troy, TN 38260
Business Representative: Ronnie Johnson

Spirit Day Design
1411 S. First St.
Union City, TN 38261
Business Representative: Terry & Kim Campbell
January Ribbon Cuttings!

H & R Block
1700 W. Reelfoot Ave.Suite 136
Union City, TN 38261
731-885-6961

Crossroads Diner
819 South Hwy 51
Troy, TN 38260
731-624-0624
Chamber Board Member Spotlight
 

Board Member Name: Jennifer Eason
Company Name: Reelfoot Bank
Position: Loan Processor
Work Phone: 731-885-1010
 
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."
Chamber Ambassador Member Spotlights

Ambassador Name: Rana Buchanan
Company Name: Golden Living
Position:  Marketing/Admission Coordinator
Work Phone: 731-885-6400
 
Areas of Expertise: Marketing and customer service
 
Other Interests: Grandchildren, enjoying the lake and golf

Why did you join the Chamber? "The chamber is always ready to help out when you need them."
 
Why do you serve as an Ambassador? "I love being a part of such a great group. The friendships that are made are everlasting."  
 
What is the Chamber's role in the business community? "They are the heartbeat of Obion County. Bringing the people of the area together for the good and betterment of Obion County." 


Ambassador Name: Bo J. Pate 
Company Name: TN National Guard
Position:  Recruiter
Work Phone: 731-336-0199
 
Areas of Expertise:  Marketing, Human Resources, Sales, Public Speaking, Personal Training, and Leadership
 
Other Interests: "My main goal within Recruiting for the National Guard is to help everyone that I can and to afford everyone the opportunities available through our program. It makes me happy to know that what I have done has positively affected someone else's life."

Why did you join the Chamber? "I joined the Chamber to try to bring the National Guard back down to a local level. The Chamber was a way for me to get more involved locally within the inner working of the community."
 
Why do you serve as an Ambassador? "I benefit from being an Ambassador because I like being involved. Bing a spectator has never been something I like to do. By being an Ambassador, I can be hands on with the process of making our community and local businesses more successful."
 
What is the Chamber's role in the business community? "The Chamber is a vital part of being a thriving business in our community. From networking, marketing, learning new practices... etc, the Chamber plays a pivotal role in the success of each member's business and is truly an asset to everyone involved."
WestStar Leadership Takes Obion County!

The WestStar Class of 2016 recently visited Obion County. The class toured Tyson Foods, heard from elected officials, as well as a presentation on I-69 from the Commissioner of TDOT, the Port of Cates Landing and Discovery Park. The WestStar mission is to identify, encourage and equip community-minded people who want to become more involved, want to help West Tennessee become a better place, and are willing to accept assertive and dynamic leadership roles. Participants learn new leadership skills and develop strategies for assisting communities in solving problems and maximizing potential. Participants also become part of a growing network of other leaders who, through mutual support and assistance, shape the future of West Tennessee.

2016 J'Cette Installation Banquet

New 2016 Officers:
First row from left to right: Stephanie Virgin, Publicist; Wendy Rice, Assistant Treasurer; Lindsay Frilling, External Vice President; Michelle Bing, Treasurer  Second row from left to right: Audrey Gregg, Internal Vice President; Katie Keathley, President; Lauren Stallings, Chaplin; Stacey Haynes, Secretary.


Award Winners:
Stephanie Virgin : "Outstanding First Year J'Cette"
Wendy Rice: Project of the Year Winner: Hometown Walk of Hope
Katie Keathley: "2015 J'Cette of the Year" and Key Woman of the Year
UNION CITY FEATURED IN 2016 OFFICIAL TENNESSEE VACATION GUIDE
FREE Guide Available Online and at Tennessee Welcome Centers
 
UNION CITY, Tenn.- The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development released today the highly-anticipated 2016 Official Tennessee Vacation Guide featuring international entertainment icon and native Tennessean Dolly Parton. The guide also highlights some of Tennessee's most authentic tourism attractions such as "18 Magical Tennessee Experiences" on page 22, which includes Discovery Park of America in UNION CITY.

"Dolly Parton is a Grammy Award winner (10 and counting), a Kennedy Center Honoree, a Country Music Hall of Famer, and currently experiencing tremendous attention with the tremendous success of her TV movie, Coat of Many Colors," states Commissioner Kevin Triplett, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. "But she is first and foremost a Tennessean and provides unparalleled support of her home state. She welcomes guests to her new resort, is expanding Dollywood and other attractions and is making new music.  We are fortunate to work with Dolly in marketing Tennessee and honored to have her grace the cover of the 2016 Official Tennessee Vacation Guide."

Commissioner Triplett continues, "We have five pillars that we focus on in sharing with the world what our great state has to offer to its guests: scenic beauty, history, family, outdoors, and of course, music. Every city, every county, every destination in Tennessee falls under one or all of these pillars. As one of our top marketing tools, the 2016 Official Tennessee Vacation Guide celebrates each of these and what UNION CITY has to offer."

 Additional highlights featured on the guide's cover include the 150th anniversary of Jack Daniel Distillery, The Guest House at Graceland coming to Memphis, Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Lightning Rod Coaster, 75 years of the Chattanooga Choo Choo song, the Battle at Bristol, Nashville - Music City, and Knoxville's Urban Wilderness.

 Tourism partners and destinations across the state are provided with free listings in the guide each year and more than 550,000 guides are available to inspire potential guests worldwide to book a trip to Tennessee to experience the "Soundtrack of America, Made in Tennessee."

 The 228-page guide is a compilation of stories, photographs, annual events, regional overviews, maps, and listings showcasing the state's incomparable scenic beauty, outdoor recreation, history, family fun, the arts and spectacular culinary scene with accompanying handcrafted spirits.

 And let's not forget about a vibrant music scene that simply cannot be matched.

 From legends like Elvis Presley, B.B. King, Tina Turner and Johnny Cash to current hit-makers such as Kings of Leon, The Black Keys, and Usher to up-and-coming artists like Judah and the Lion and Delta Saints, readers will find countless Tennessee music icons throughout the guide.

 And the soundtrack doesn't stop there, the guide also highlights "Music Venues that Just Might Change Your Life" along with festivals and events to be added to every Tennessee traveler's bucket list. Just to name a few, featured experiences include Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, Beale Street Music Festival, the CMA Music Festival, the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion and the Rhythm N' Blooms Fest, the Americana Music Triangle and numerous music-themed driving trails as part of the diverse network of Discover Tennessee Trails & Byways. The publication sends a powerful message that the "Soundtrack of America" is Made in Tennessee and is amplified from Memphis to Mountain City.

 The guide is free at the state's 14 Welcome Centers and to guests requesting the publication via tnvacation.com and 1.800.GO2.TENN. It is also available as an e-guide at tnvacation.com/guide. As in previous years, an iPad app of the guide will be available soon in iTunes offering additional rich media and interactive content, as well as links to all advertisers.
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Explore more at tnvacation.com and join other Tennessee travelers by following "TNVacation" on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Youtube.  
In This Issue
Archived Obion County Chamber of Commerce Newsletters

Join Our Mailing List  

 
  
Topic: 
Workforce: Business Case for hiring people with disabilities

Presenters:
Lynnette Henderson

When:
February 16, 2016

Where:
Obion County Public LIbrary

Sponsored By:
Twin Oaks Technology

Art Sparks with ATA was our guest speaker and sponsor for January's Business Matters. The topic was taxes and all of the changes taking place for 2016. Thank you Art for speaking and being our sponsor. Also, a huge thanks to Cnter Point Business Solutions and Sonshine Flowers and Gifts for supplying us with our door prize!
Lindsay Frilling Named to Southern Economic Development Council's Board of Directors

Atlanta, GA (January 1, 2016) - The Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC), the oldest and largest regional economic development association in North America, is pleased to announce Lindsay Frilling, CEO of the Obion County Joint Economic Development Corporation in Union City, Tennessee, as the state director of Tennessee on the SEDC Board of Directors. The state director will serve a two-year term on SEDC's board. Ms. Frilling will take the seat on January 1, 2016. Frilling is a dedicated long-time SEDC member for almost 5 years. She was chosen for this position by her peers within her state of Tennessee.
 
"I congratulate Lindsay on being elected to serve on SEDC's Board of Directors for 2016.  The honor bestowed validates her leadership traits and dedication to the economic development profession.  My goal is to work with the Board to ensure that we are  providing value added programs or content that will benefit our members long term, both, personally and professionally! It is this commitment to excellence that enables this organization to maintain the tradition of being the standard bearer for economic development professional associations'.  We are confident that Lindsay will assist us in  facilitating our 2016 program of work, in addition to helping us chart our course for future programming," said SEDC 2016 Chairman Chuck Whipple.
 
The Southern Economic Development Council is a 1010 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.
Northwest Tennessee Regional Industrial Center Named

"Best Small Town Industrial Site in Tennessee"

By Southern Business & Development Magazine
Obion County also received votes for
"Tennessee's Best Local Economic Development Agency"
"Tennessee's Best Small Market Manufacturing Workforce"
Take the Tennessee Broadband Internet Assessment
  
The future of Tennessee's economic success is directly tied to our broadband Internet access. Having broadband access leads to an increase in educational and entrepreneurial opportunities, which therefore helps our state build a better workforce and accelerate job creation.
To ensure that every community in Tennessee has the tools to economically succeed, we must measure who has broadband Internet access, if they are using it and how they are using it. Please help us make sure that every Tennessean's voice is heard on this important topic by taking the 20-minute assessment at tn.gov/broadband and passing it on to other members of your community.
OCIDC Logo
Thank you for your continued membership!
Reelfoot Animal Hospital
Town of Troy
Warner Law Firm
CONTACT:  Victoria Norton
DATE: January 5, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
The Etheridge House, Assisted Living and Arbors by Americare Names Administrator
 
The Etheridge House, Assisted Living and The Arbors of Etheridge House by Americare, recently named Michelle Johnston, RN as administrator.    Michelle has worked as an instructor of Health Sciences at Obion Central High School for the last 10 years. She was actively involved in HOSA(Health Occupation Students of America) as an advisor. Prior to teaching, she served as Branch Manager of Volunteer Home Care and has worked as staff nurse at Baptist Hospital as needed. She has 20 years of experience as a RN, graduating from Columbia State Community College in Franklin, TN in 1996.

 "I am very pleased about this new opportunity," says Michelle.  "I look forward to working with the residents at both The Etheridge House Assisted Living Facility and The Arbors of Etheridge House. We have so much to be proud of here at each facility. I hope to build on those strengths to keep our centers the facility of choice in Union City," she adds.

 Michelle is married to Daniel Johnston, who is also a RN who teaches at OCCHS and coaches soccer and basketball. Daniel also works as needed at Baptist Hospital as a Nursing Supervisor. Michelle and Daniel have two daughters, Haley and Hannah Johnston, who are also students at OCCHS.

According to Vicki Norton, the facility's operations director, "We are very pleased to have someone of Michelle's caliber at The Etheridge House Assisted Living and The Arbors at Etheridge House of Union City. She has had a very successful career in the medical field and I am sure she will be an asset to our community in Union City," she finishes.

The Etheridge House Assisted Living Facility is located at 701 Sherrill Street in Union City and The Arbors of Etheridge House is located at 1400 South Home Street in Union City.  It is licensed as an assisted living facility by the State of Tennessee.
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H&R Block "100 win $1,000" Daily-Congratulations to
 Jim Hays!

$1,000 RICHER - James Hays of Union City recently accepted a check for $1,000 from H&R Block Union City office manager Jane Jackson. Hays won the money after filing his taxes at the local tax preparation office. H&R Block is giving away $1,000 per day to 1,000 people for 32 days. Hays said when he got the email saying he had won, he thought it was a scam. He said he's glad he decided to call Ms. Jackson to confirm that it was for real.

Any Chamber member interested in receiving the hospital's cafeteria menu weekly may contact Emily Medley, food and nutrition services director, at [email protected]. 

Obion County Featured in Goodwill Impact 

2014 Annual Report

"With Goodwill I don't think the economic recovery would have been possible in the short amount of time it occurred," Frilling said. "Goodwill has been a major player in the entities that have come together to try to reduce the unemployment rate." Click here to read the full article. 

The Workforce Board is pursuing Work Ready Community status for all 11 of the counties we serve, including Obion County. One of the goals is Employer Support. By completing the form, employers are simply stating they are in favor of the Work Ready Community initiative and see value in the NCRC assessment. In no way is an employer committing to do anything, buy anything, require the certification, or anything of that nature. The employer is stating support for the initiative. You can visit the website and see our progress at http://workreadycommunities.com/TN/13.

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]

Interested in sponsoring Business Matters or Business After Hours?

Contact Lindsay Frilling at

 731-885-0211 or [email protected]