Obion County, TN News

DPA opened a half-million dollar Children's Discovery Garden this past month!

The Robert and Jenny Kirkland Foundation funded the project that features a treehouse tower, zipline, butterfly garden and Rhapsody outdoor instruments

The Sterling Awards 2017: 20 Most Influential Women in West Tennessee ceremony was held on April 4, Equal Pay Day, at the J. Walter Barnes Conference Center at Jackson General Hospital in Jackson, Tenn.

Receiving an award was Mrs. Jenny Kirkland of Union City, chosen as one of the 20 Most Influential Women in West Tennessee.

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SOUTH FULTON, Tenn. - Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe along with ColorCoat, Inc. officials announced today the company will locate new operations in South Fulton. The windows and doors coating application company will invest $600,000 and create 80 new jobs in Obion County.

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On April 11, representatives from the Obion County Joint Economic Development Council and Chamber of Commerce, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Williams Sausage, CenterPoint Business Solutions, Commercial Bank, NW Tennessee Workforce Board, TCAT Newbern, and Obion County Schools met to discuss the implementation of the Work Ethics Certificate program in Obion County Schools, and the impact it could have on employment in our area.

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By Eli Dile

It has long been a common practice among economic development organizations to invest in speculative shell buildings as a business attraction tool. Spec buildings make a community more competitive in the site selection process by reducing the time and upfront costs for a company to get up and running in a new community.

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THURSDAY, MAY 18, 2017
From ll:00 am. to 1:00 p.m.

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Opening Thursday, June 1st at 2 PM

Please Join Us at the Ribbon Cutting of the new Children's Discovery Garden on Tuesday May 16th at 9:30 a.m.

UNION CITY, Tenn. - Twenty-six years after Brent Lee left Union City to go railroading, he is coming home to run his own short line.

The Union City Terminal Railroad is expected to debut in May. The line is an eight-mile stub of the former Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad main line between Union City and Rives, Tenn., where it connects to the Canadian National (former Illinois Central) main line.

"I was born and raised in Union City," Lee says. "I always had the idea if I ever wanted to short line something, it would be that line."

Lee says he spent 24 of his 26 years with the Burlington Northern and BNSF Railway in track maintenance and train service.

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Membership Director Spotlighted in TVA's - Young Professionals in Economic DevelopmentName: Lauren Tanner

Position/Organization/How long: Membership Director for the Obion County Chamber of Commerce since April 2016. We are located in Union City, Tennessee.

How did you get into economic development? Our Chamber of Commerce and Obion County Industrial Development Corporation (OCIDC) are umbrellaed underneath our Joint Economic Development Council (JEDC). Because of this, even though I am technically a chamber employee, I had the opportunity to dip my foot into economic development and have loved it since. There are only 2 paid employees within all 3 of those organizations (our CEO Lindsay Frilling and me), so I am fortunate enough to be involved in every side of Obion County.

What is the best economic development advice you've been given? You have to start earlier in the school systems if you want a strong, long lasting workforce. The main thing that I hear from professionals in our area is that outside of having the product (site ready properties, land, etc.) the biggest issue facing economic development in NW Tennessee is our workforce and lack thereof. Once people graduate high school, they move away to large cities and don't come back. It is vital that we start educating students earlier about economic development, workforce development, and ending the stigma that industrial jobs are "dirty". Students can get a technical degree or learn a trade, and have a full time, well-paying job sooner than most kids that go to a 4 year school. If we can teach our students sooner that there are more career options local and close to home, then maybe they will take advantage of our local technical colleges and implement their talents in our local industry, thus growing our overall population and workforce. There is nothing wrong with getting a 4 year degree, but there is nothing wrong with getting a technical degree either.

What has caught your attention recently in economic development? Economic development isn't just landing the big industrial projects, it's landing small businesses that bring life and uniqueness to your community. It's about making your community a personal experience for everyone that is there. Specifically where we are in Northwest TN, our young talent or "millennial" generation moves away from our area to larger areas after high school (i.e. Murfreesboro, Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville) and don't come back until they are ready to settle down, then they will move back to these smaller areas in their late 20's/early 30's. Because of this, we are having to think of creative ways to bring fresh, new ideas to our communities to make Obion County a desirable place for this generation to move to, move back to, or not even move away at all.

When you have free time, what do you do? I love to be outside. I got married about 2 months ago, so now that it's summer and we aren't planning a wedding anymore, we love to go out on the boat, hang with our pup, and spend time with friends and family.

What are three fun facts about you? 1) I have a degree in Agriculture Communications and did marketing/communications for the largest continuous John Deere dealership in the world prior to working at the Chamber. 2) I collect set lists. 3) I love sports. I'm a huge Cardinals baseball fan & UT fan. And also, I'm originally from Nashville, so can I get a Go Preds?!

What's on your bucket list these days? Go watch Tennessee play in the National Championship this year, but if that doesn't work out I'm good with watching them in December at the SEC Championship (a girl can dream, right? fingers crossed #GBO) Also, I'm hoping to cross a few more states off my bucket list within the next few years.

What motivates you? Passion. I adore my job, but let's be honest, you don't go into the chamber world for the money. You do it because you love it, you love your community, and you know what it can become if you put your passion to good use. I am originally from an interstate town, and with I-69 (which is on its way to completion) coming straight through Obion County, I know the growth that could potentially happen. I love Obion County the way it is, but knowing the potential it has to be even better keeps me going every day. I am ecstatic to see Obion County grow within the next 10 years and am lucky that I get to be a part of it.

Baptist Ahead of the GameBaptist Memorial Hospital-Union City has announced that it is one of the first hospitals in Tennessee to offer a new minimally-invasive procedure to treat peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the upper leg, a serious and common condition associated with an increased risk for heart attack and stroke. Drug-coated balloons are used to treat PAD in the upper legs once medical management has failed. The first procedure at Baptist Union City was performed by Wright Jernigan, M.D.

New Lighting at AirportEverett-Stewart Regional Airport would like to thank Mr. Jeff Boyd and Gibson EMC who recently updated out outdoor lighting to LED. This upgrade will greatly enhance the airport's security and lighting system. Gibson EMC is a wonderful partner who realizes the importance of the airport and supports our efforts to promote our community. This is demonstrated by their ongoing commitment to economic development efforts, not only at the airport, but throughout the region.

Jo Ann Speer, Manager

Thunderbolt Receives HonorsThunderbolt Broadcasting in Union City took home four state honors in the Tennessee Associated Press Broadcast and Media Editors Awards Banquet held in Nashville. The event was held to honor exemplary journalistic work from media members in radio, newspaper and television in 2016.

KYTN/WQAK News Director Charles Choate was honored in the categories of "Best Newscaster", "Best Enterprise Story", "Best Light Feature" and "Best Weather Coverage". Over 1,000 submissions of work were received from across the state for this years event.

Choate and Thunderbolt Broadcasting President Paul Tinkle attended the ceremonies at the Nashville Marriott Vanderbilt.

Judy Long Named One of West Tennessee's Most Influential WomenJudy Long, President and Chief Operating Officer of First Citizens Bancshares Inc. and First Citizens National Bank, was presented the Sterling Award on Tuesday, April 6, 2017. The Sterling Awards ceremony and reception honoring the 20 Most Influential Women of West Tennessee was held at The J. Walter Barnes Conference Center at Jackson -Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, TN.

The Sterling Awards were created by Jackson Area Business and Professional Women and Jackson Sun to honor women in the West Tennessee area who have achieved a significant level of success. Long was recognized as a leader in business, serving as a role model to other women in her profession and her community.

Among her many contributions to West Tennessee are her service to United Way of West TN, Dyersburg / Dyer County Chamber of Commerce, Dyersburg Rotary, and Dyersburg State Community College. Long has been previously recognized as Dyersburg / Dyer County Woman of the Year, American Business Women's Association Woman of the Year, and Paul Harris Award Recipient.

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Here are a few benefits you receive with your chamber membership:

  • Free Ribbon Cuttings (For new chamber membership, new location, new business partner, etc)
  • Networking opportunities at monthly Business Matters and Business After Hours
  • Free New Member listing in "At Work" newsletter
  • eBlasts sent to over 1,500 representatives
  • Free link to your existing web site and e-mail through our online web based software
  • Free Clubs & Organizations Directory
  • Free Government Officials Directory
  • Free Website listing
  • Free referrals
  • Free on-line job posting
  • Free on-line events calendar posting
  • Free on-line hot deals posting

Main Street communities created more than 1,000 new jobs

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced today the 2016 economic impact and reinvestment statistics from 30 certified Tennessee Main Street communities across the state. These Main Street communities created more than 1,000 new jobs and generated over $124 million of public/private investment in 2016, while continuing to be a vital part of the state's economic growth.

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Check out this years Tennessee Vacation Guide here!

Complete tourism information is at your fingertips with comprehensive road maps, contact information and detailed facts about state attractions!