Obion County Chamber of Commerce
 




Thursday, August 31st, the Young Professionals of Obion County had their first fundraiser at Don Sol Mexican Grill! Thank you to everyone in the community that came out to support YPOC. We are ecstatic to have to wonderful community support. We look forward to growing our presence in Obion County and keeping our communities great! 

Want more information on YPOC? Text YPOC to 22828 or email us at ypofobioncounty@gmail.com 

Ready to join? Fill out the application here! 
Sullivan Dentistry Business After-Hours
Thank you to Sullivan Dentistry  for hosting Business After Hours to welcome in their newest addition, Dr. Laura Clark! We had a wonderful time and a great turnout! 

 
Union City Surgery Center Open House & Ribbon Cutting
What a huge turnout! We were excited to celebrate Union City Surgery Center and look forward to watching them grow! We are grateful for wonderful, passionate people that strive to take care of the people of Obion County!


 
Obion County Fair Ribbon Cutting 
and Farmer's Harvest Breakfast
We were happy to kick off the Obion County Fair this year with our annual ribbon cutting! 



Jai Templeton, Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture, was the guest speaker at the 2nd annual Farmer's Harvest Breakfast! We were excited  to hear him speak, as this is just a preview to our JEDC Annual Banquet! Commissioner Templeton will be our guest speaker on November 2, 2017 at Discovery Park to celebrate Obion County!! 
 
Business Matters  
Thank you to Dyersburg State Community College for speaking at and sponsoring our August Business Matters! They gave a great presentation on courses and employee training that business and industries can take advantage of. Bobby West from Greenfield Products gave a great testimony on the positive impact these training's can have if businesses participate. 

Gov. Bill Haslam and Commissioner Kevin Triplett 
Announce $19.3 Billion in Economic
 Impact for Tennessee Tourism Industry

Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Kevin Triplett announced Tennessee tourism's direct domestic and international travel expenditures reached an all-time record high of $19.3 billion in 2016, up 4.7 percent over the previous year, as reported by the U.S. Travel Association. The announcement was made during a press conference Aug. 22 at the historic Clayborn Temple in Memphis.


The event was attended by representatives from the Tennessee General Assembly, city and county elected officials, many tourism leaders and stakeholders, and representatives of the media.

For the 11th consecutive year, tourism topped $1 billion in state and local sales tax revenue, reaching $1.7 billion. This marks a 6.7 percent increase over 2015, higher than the national growth of travel-related state and local tax revenues. Tourism generated 176,500 jobs for Tennesseans, a 3.3 percent growth year over year. Five counties exceeded one billion in travel expenditures including Davidson ($5.996 billion), Shelby ($3.335 billion), Sevier ($2.217 billion), Hamilton ($1.060 billion), and Knox ($1.056 billion). All 95 counties saw more than $1 million in direct travel expenditures in the economic impact of tourism and 19 counties saw more than $100 million. Ninety-two counties saw an increase in year over year tourism expenditures.
GOVERNOR HASLAM, COMMISSIONER ROLFE ANNOUNCE TYSON FOODS, INC. TO EXPAND IN UNION CITY

NASHVILLE -  Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) officials announced today that the food processing company will invest approximately $80 million to expand operations in Union City.
 
Tyson, one of the world's largest food companies, plans to create more than 300 new jobs as part of the expansion in Obion County.
 
"Tyson has been an integral part of Obion County for 20 years and I'm pleased to see the company move forward with this more than 300-job expansion in Union City," Haslam said. "With more than 1,000 employees in West Tennessee, Tyson's impact on the community extends to the local farmers supported by its operations. I'd like to thank Tyson for its continued commitment to West Tennessee and bringing us closer to making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs."
 
"It is vital that we do all we can to create a business environment where our existing employers can expand and create new job opportunities for hard working Tennesseans, especially in rural, Tier-4 counties such as Obion County," Rolfe said. "Tyson's considerable investment in West Tennessee is yet another validation of our efforts to attract more investment and jobs to our rural communities. I'd like to thank Tyson for laying the groundwork for more than 300 new jobs that will have a major impact on the residents and families of Obion County." 
 
Tyson plans to add 25,000 square feet and new production lines to its Union City plant, effectively doubling its output capabilities at the facility. Construction is scheduled to begin this fall. The expansion is expected to be operational by mid-2019. 
 
"Customer and consumer demand for protein, especially chicken, is increasing so we're investing in projects that build on our strengths, expand our capabilities and increase our capacity," Tyson's Doug Ramsey, group president of poultry, said. "Expansions like this position us to grow and support our customers."
 
Tyson's Union City complex supplies chicken for a national foodservice customer. The company also operates facilities in Goodlettsville, Newbern and Shelbyville, employing about 5,000 in Tennessee. 
 
Local officials and the Tennessee Valley Authority praised Tyson for its commitment to expand in Obion County.
 
'We have been so fortunate to have Tyson as a major employer in our city, county and area," Union City Mayor Terry Hailey said. "With this expansion, we are assured of even more good jobs for our people. And, Tyson is an excellent corporate citizen getting behind many area projects. For that, we are grateful and we know that this expansion means that Tyson is even more committed to Union City and Obion County just as we are committed to them."
 
"TVA and Union City Electric congratulate Tyson on its decision to expand in Union City, Tennessee, creating hundreds of new job opportunities and investing in the area," TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley said. "It is always an exciting day when an existing company is committed to continuing growth in the Valley, and we are pleased to partner with Obion County Joint Economic Development Council, Union City, Obion County and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to celebrate this announcement."
 
Union City and Obion County are represented by Sen. John Stevens (R - Huntingdon), Rep. Andy Holt (R - Dresden) and Rep. Bill Sanderson (R - Kenton) in the Tennessee General Assembly.
 
About Tyson Foods, Inc.
Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world's largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under three generations of family leadership, the company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells®, ibp® and State Fair®. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable, tailor food for everywhere it's available and raise the world's expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the company has 114,000 team members. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit  www.tysonfoods.com.

 


In This Issue
YPOC
Business After Hours
Surgery Center Ribbon Cutting
Fair Ribbon Cutting
Business Matters
Tourism News
Tyson
New Members
Chilcare

90 Degrees South Framing LLC
A & J Salvage, LLC
AAA RV Park
Advanced Gastroenterology
Advanced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (AOSM)
Alexander Auctions & Real Estate Sales
Alexander Thompson Arnold (ATA)
Align Chiropractic
All Kraft Erectors, Inc.
Allen Searcy Builder Contractor, Inc.
Allen's Wrecker Service
Alliance Ag Equipment
Aloha Pools & Spas
AmeriClear Rx
Ameriprise Financial
ATMOS Energy
B R Supply, Inc.
Baptist Memorial Hospital
Barker Building Rentals
Barkley Construction Company
Blue Bank Resort & Marina
Blue Steel
Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Tennessee
Brundige-Moore Insurance Agency
Buddy's Wrecker Service
Burger King
Buy Sell & Trade
C.W. Sanderson's
Cain's Pool & Spa
CareAll Home Care
Carey Counseling Center, Inc.
Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse
Carpenter Real Estate
Center Point Business Solutions
Century 21 Golden Service Realty
Chancellor Mike Maloan
Charles A. Maness, Attorney
City AutoPlex
City of Hornbeak
City of Kenton
City of Obion
City of Rives
City of Samburg
City of South Fulton
City of Troy
City of Woodland Mills
Collision Specialty, Inc.
Commercial Bank
Company Name
Conley Conley
Cornfest, INC
Country Hearth Inn
Cox Oil Co., Inc.
Creative Catering
Danny Larcom Heating and Air
Dar Pro Solutions
David Lamb
Dental Center
Discovery Park of America
Dixie Gun Works
Doctor's Clinic
Don Sol Mexican Grill
Douglas Tax Service
Dr. Cecil Sewell
Dr. Jere W. Crenshaw
Dr. Steve Harpole
Dunn's Body Shop, Inc.
Dyersburg State Community College
Edward Jones Investments
Everett-Stewart Airport
Farm Credit Services
Fast Pace Urgent Care Clinic
Felecia Bella
Final Flight Outfitters
First Citizens National Bank
Five Seasons Men's Shop
Forcum Lannom Contractors
Ford Construction
Forever Communications Inc
Fuller Partners Real Estate, INC
Fulton Decorating
Fulton Plaza Motor Inn
G & H Tool & Die Inc.
Gibson Electric Membership Corporation
Greenfield Products, LLC
H & M ICE
H & R Agri-Power
H & R Block
Hale's Commericial Cleaning LLC
Hanafee Brothers Sawmill Co., Inc.
Health Quest/Baptist Memorial Hospital
Heritage Bank
Herman Jenkins Motors
Hilliard Lyons
Holman Farms
Hops and Barley
Hornsby's Garage Wrecker Service
Hospitality House
HTS Mixing
Institutional Casework, INC.
J'Cettes Of Union City
JD Distributors
Jernigan Surgery Clinic
Jerry Ward Autoplex
Jiffy Steamer Company
Job World, Inc.
John Miles, Attorney
Johnson Heating & Air, Inc.
Judge William B. Acree, Jr.
Judy Barker, Attorney-at-Law
Junior Auxiliary of Obion County
Ken-Tenn Wireless
Kenton Chevrolet
Kiwanis Club of Union City
Kizer Pharmacy, LLC
Kmac Enterprises - Taco Bell
Kohler Company
Krietman's Towing
Lakeview Dining Room
Lanzer's Printing & Office Supply, Inc.
Lashlee-Rich, Inc.
Leaders Credit Union
Los Portales
Lowe's Home Improvements
Lowrance Sound Company, Inc.
Magic Moments
Magical Mink's Entertainment
Magnolia Place
Mahindra of Ken Tenn/Inco Ag
Mahindra of Ken Tenn/Inco Ag
Manpower
Masquerade Theatre, Inc.
Mathis Battery Company
McDonald's Restaurant
McKinnis Lawn Service
MIA Seating
Mobile Nation
MVP Brands
Northwest TN Cardiology Clinic
Northwest TN Workforce Board
Obion County Fair Association
Obion County Farm Bureau
Obion County Farm Bureau Insurance-Hadley Malone
Obion County Prevention Coalition
Obion County Public Library
O'Neal's Country Store
O'Neal's Country Store
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
OUTsideIN
Pathways
Pediatric Place of Union City
Phillips Engineering Inc.
PIP Printing
Polk Glover
Premier Primary Care
Quality Inn
RC Mechanical
Re/Max United
Reelfoot Animal Hospital
Reelfoot Bank
Reelfoot Bearing & Supply Inc.
Reelfoot Family Walk-In Clinic
Reelfoot Metal Building Supply
Reelfoot Regional Assn of Realtors
Reelfoot Shopping Center
Regions Bank
Republic Services
Revell Construction Company, Inc.
Reynolds Brothers Oil Company
Rotary Club of Union City
Sammies
Sassafraz  Restaurant
Second Baptist Church
Security Finance
Servall Gutter Company
Servall Pest Control, LLC
Shea Riley Appraisers
Shelter Insurance
Sherwin-Williams
Shoe Shack
Simmons Bank
Simmons Bank Mortgage Company
Soleil Garden Center
Sonshine Flowers & Gifts
Southern Concrete Products
Southern Machinery Repair, Inc.
Star Physical Therapy
State Farm Agent Chris Williams
Steve's Custom Jewelers
Sugar & Spice
Sullivan Family Dentistry
Sweetwater Farms Development
Synergy Therapy & Aquatics
Tack  & Stitch Upholstery
Taylor Ford-Lincoln
Tencom Digital Marketing
Tennessee Tractor
The Chocolate Bunny
The Color Shop
The Etheridge House Assisted Living & The Arbors  Memory Care
The Hamilton-Ryker Company
The Southern Suite Salon
The Station Burger Company
The Waters of Union City, LLC
Thompson, McConnell, & Hurst PLLC CPAs
Thunderbolt Broadcasting
TLM Associates, Inc
Top of the World Distributors
Touching Hearts at Home
Trish Dial Photography
Tri-State International
Troy Pharmacy
Twin Oaks Technology, LLC
Tyson Foods, Inc. 
Union City Carpet Center
Union City Coca-Cola Bottling Company
Union City Daily Messenger
Union City Electric System
Union City Eye Care
Union City Housing Authority
Union City Insurance Agency, Inc.
Union City Insurance Partners, LLC
Union City Nursing & Rehab
Union City Parts Company
Union City Urgent Care
United Way of Obion County
Universal Contractors, LLC
UT Martin REED Center/TSBDC
Vaughn Electric Company
Vernon Promotions/Ad Pro Designs
Volunteer Lenders
Vowell & Sons Lumber Company
Wade Acres LLC
Ware Park Apartments
Warner Law Firm
Wauford & Company Consulting Engineers
Waymatic, Inc.
West Kentucky Rural Telephone Co-Op Corp Inc
West State Corrections Network
WestStar Leadership
White & Associates Insurance
White Ranson Funeral Home, Inc.
White Squirrel Winery
Williams Sausage Company
Woman's Clinic of Union City
Wood Communications-Cellular Source
World Finance Corporation
WPSD-TV, Channel 6
WW Travel Services
WynRidge Golf Club
Zaxby's




Childcare: Linchpin for Economic Growth & Equity

Workforce is a critical issue everywhere and communities are being creative in solving real challenges with impact. The Obion County (TN) Joint Economic Development Council is addressing their leading workforce challenge head-on. I had the opportunity to visit with Lindsay Frilling, President, about their initiative.

Tell me about the situation driving this initiative.
Over the last 5 years, we've had 1,200 new jobs announced. We initially thought we would create a campaign to recruit talent to move to Obion County. We asked employers to become involved in the talent recruitment campaign. Although they were interested and supportive, what happened instead they shared critical workforce issues. We didn't fully understand the extent of challenges until we intentionally explored. Limited childcare availability was a major issue.

Two of our largest employers are food processors with 2nd and 3rd shift needs. We learned that one employer loses 2 to 3 employees a week due to childcare when moving to another shift and relying on family members to care for children. Another employer said they have employees on 1st shift who are interested in 2nd and 3rd shift to increase wages (shift differential) but can't without childcare. This issue limits opportunities and essentially keeps wages depressed. Hands down childcare was #1 issue for employed and job seekers in Obion County.

We put "the breaks" on the talent recruitment to focus in on local employer issues with workforce.

What are you trying to achieve with this work?
Expand childcare opportunities for 2nd and 3rd shift so that we can help businesses attract and retain the workforce they need to be profitable. Current childcare facilities are top quality. We want employees to have confidence their children are safe and secure at any hour they work.

Long term, childcare will be a business attraction tool. First and foremost, we are taking care of existing businesses.

What are you doing to improve childcare in Obion County?
We've identified opportunity for existing childcare provider to grow, or we could start one from scratch. We are having conversations with existing childcare providers to see who may be interested in extending hours. They are the experts and know requirements for overnight daycare. For instance, children must sleep on cots at night versus on floor for daytime naps.
It's been a learning experience. We are collecting all existing providers and services in one document - for Obion County AND two border counties. We are creating a childcare catalog which will be a tool for employers to give to employees during orientation.

There is significant value from communication flowing back and forth between providers and employers.

What have been some "ah ha" moments so far in your efforts?
Part of it for me was realizing that it wasn't as a big of a deal for daycare providers to offer nighttime service. They need cots, not a lot of money. Not a big expense. I thought it would be more difficult to extend hours.

There is state assistance for childcare - employers are learning about the program. State can pay for everything but $9 and employers are open to paying the $9 gap as hiring incentive.

What advice would you give to other interested in doing something like this?
It's all about collaboration. Bringing the right people to the table. TadZo facilitated input and planning meetings and helped us take the blinders off to paint the big picture. Have a holistic approach covering all steps to solve problem, who needs to be involved, and how to market once we've done it. 

First Citizens National Bank RANKS #19 IN 
BEST BANKS TO WORK FOR IN U.S.


For the fifth consecutive year, First Citizens National Bank has been named one of the Best Banks to Work For. First Citizens currently ranks 19th overall for banks across the entire United States.
 
Thefull list will be featured in the September issue of American Banker Magazine and is now available online at www.AmericanBanker.com .
 
The program, which was initiated in 2013 to identify, recognize and honor the best banks to work for in the nation, is a project of American Banker and Best Companies Group. In all, 75 banks achieved "Best Bank" status in this fifth year for the program.
 
To be considered for participation, banks had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:
- Have at least 50 employees working in the US;
- Be a Commercial Bank, Thrift, Mutual Association, Mutual Savings Bank, Savings & Loan Association or a Savings Bank.
 
Determining the Best Banks to Work For involved a two-step process.  The first step consisted of evaluating each participating bank's workplace policies, practices, and demographics.  This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation.  The second part consisted of employee surveys aimed at assessing the experiences and attitudes of individual employees with respect to their workplace.  This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation.  The combined scores determined the top banks and the final ranking.  Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process and also analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings. 
 
For more information or to register visit www.BestBankstoWorkFor.com or call BCG
at 1-877-455-2159.

 
Williams Sausage Expansion Aerial View 
Walker Celebrates 40 Years With
Commercial Bank and Trust Company


 
UNION CITY, TN.   When Donna Walker began her career in banking at what was formerly Old & Third National Bank forty years ago, banking looked a little different than it does today. Over the years, she's seen debit cards, direct deposits, ATM machines, mobile banking, Netteller and computers all change the way consumers bank, but her love for the job has only grown.
 
"Back in the day, most things were done by hand, and records were kept on paper," Donna says. "Customers had to come to the bank to make deposits and get cash. We were always extremely busy."
 
Old & Third National Bank eventually became Commercial Bank and Trust Company (CBTC), but Donna continued her work with the bank.
 
Her job duties at CBTC have been versatile throughout her career. She has served as a teller, teller supervisor, head teller, lock box clerk, ordering supplies, overseeing the maintenance of the building and equipment, customer service representative, and liaison to human resources. She also took on the duty of overseeing the future fund accounts, but her favorite role was that of CSR.
 
"What I love most about my job is helping others," Donna says. "From assisting other employees to serving our customers, I find it all rewarding. My customers depend on me to help them with their banking needs, but I have the opportunity to share in their lives as well. I am grateful that I can continue to serve them and am excited for what's ahead."
 
Commercial Bank and Trust Company was chartered in 1877. The bank has operations in Jackson, Memphis, Paris, and Union City, Tennessee. Mott Ford is the Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Bank and Trust Company. In Union City, the bank has offices at 127 South First Street and 815 East Reelfoot Avenue.
 
For more information on Commercial Bank and Trust Company, visit www.cbtcnet.com. 

TCAT-Newbern Advisory Meeting

The TCAT-Newbern Institutional advisory committee met on August 10, 2017.  The institutional advisory committee is comprised of local business and industry partners, as well as local educational partners and economic development personnel.  The committee was updated on new TCAT-Newbern personnel. 

TCAT-Newbern representative spoke about the LEAP Grant awarded to TCAT-Newbern and used to implement a Machine Tool program at Dyersburg High School.  The committee was updated on the high school Welding dual enrollment opportunities at local high schools (Obion County, Lake County, Dyer County, Dyersburg, Gibson County).  The committee was informed of TCAT-Newbern's proposed Diesel/Automotive training building, which will be a 4 million dollar project occurring on the main campus if awarded.  The committee was provided with the most current completion rates (84%), placement rates (84%), and licensure rates (78%).  

All were in agreement that each person should do a bigger part in promoting technical education, since these jobs are needed by current employers and prospective industries seeking relocation to our area.

(L-R)  Donnie Walton: Asst. Director TCAT-Newbern, Rep. Sanderson, Donna Hastings: President TCAT-Newbern, 
Deica Disney: Student Services Coordinator TCAT-Newbern. Lindsay Frilling, OCJEDC   
Mrs. Sandra Prince: Four Rivers Regional Nursing Advisor.

Archived Obion County Chamber of Commerce Newsletters

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 at lfrilling@obioncounty.org.
2017-2018 Tennessee Municipal Guide

Municipal Publishing, LLC is proud to present the 2017-2018 Tennessee Municipal Guide. 

Check out this years Tennessee Municipal Guide here ! 

2017  Tennessee Vacation Guide

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

Check out this years Tennessee Vacation Guide here!

Any Chamber member interested in receiving the hospital's cafeteria menu weekly may contact Emily Medley, food and nutrition services director, at emily.medley@bmhcc.org.