November 2018 Newsletter
Check out articles and pictures from October and
stay up to date on what we are doing this November!
New Chamber Members

Advance Auto Parts
211 West Reelfoot Ave
Union City, TN 38261
(731) 885-0081
Advance Auto Parts is your source for quality auto parts, advice and accessories.

Advance Financial 24/7
1400 West Reelfoot Ave
Union City, TN 38261
(731) 868-7073
Providing free money orders, free bill pay, flex loans, and other financial services!

Scott's Grill
(731) 599-1240
516 S. 1st Street
Union City, TN 38261
Stop by for some of the best food in town!

October Ribbon Cuttings
Health Works Medical
1720 East Reelfoot Ave; Suite 101
Union City, TN 38261
731-599-1200
Industry Appreciation Breakfast 
Thank you to all of our industries, public officials, businesses, and board members that came to our industry appreciation breakfast! We had a wonderful turnout and appreciate all that you do for our county.
October Business Matters
We had such a fun time at our October Business Matters with Andrew Jackson, Director of Rehabilitation, and Scott Becton, Director of Radiology, from Baptist Memorial Hospital! Come check out our monthly Business Matters at the Obion County Public Library!
Obion County Participates in Complete TN
Faced with a low number of college-educated workers, 12 rural Tennessee counties are digging into how they can get their residents to complete a degree.

The counties spread out across the state and organized into five regional councils are part of a newly launched pilot initiative by Complete Tennessee focused on clearing hurdles to obtain a college degree or certificate. 

The so-called Completion Councils will focus on how to boost the skills of local workers to help attract business and boost local economies. The five regional areas have lower-than-average college completion rates among its residents compared to the rest of the state, a barrier for those counties in attracting jobs.

Read the rest of the article here...
The Land Trust for Tennessee Survey
What is it?
TN Placemakers Entrepreneurship Fund is a pool of monetary resources dedicated to assisting communities across the state in developing and training entrepreneurs by allowing them to secure funds for three broad categories of entrepreneurial activities.



Total Funds Available FY2019: $1,000,000
Max/Grant: $100,000
*10% match required
Categories:
1) Assess and Plan: Maximum funding allocation: $15,000
2) Build and Sustain: Maximum funding allocation: $75,000
3) Support and Train: Maximum funding allocation: $25,000
Contract length:
Up to 24-months
Months 1-18: Implementation and utilization
Months 19-24: Observation period, data reporting, and close-out of the grant
Eligible Applicants
  • Government
  • Chamber of Commerce
  • Economic Development Organization
  • Main Street Organizations
How to apply
Details and application can be found at
Application Period:
Initially: October 1-December 31, 2018
Then on a rolling basis until funds are fully subscribed
Key dates
Application webinar: November 15, 2018 at 10am CDT/11am EDT
In-person meetings around the state posted online
Initial application period: October 1 - December 31, 2018
New Façade Improvement Grants Awarded
Governor Haslam and TNECD Commissioner Bob Rolfe recently approved $550,000 in Façade Improvement Grants for six Tennessee communities. The grants, funded through federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, are used for improvements to commercial districts in Tennessee Main Street and Tennessee downtown districts. Check out the six new recipients here. 

College Completion Communities Release Completion Plans of Action
NASHVILLE, TN - Representatives from diverse Tennessee counties recently traveled to Nashville to describe the targeted strategies they plan to implement to raise regional postsecondary attainment and support the state’s Drive to 55 goal.

The counties are participating in Complete Tennessee’s “ College Completion Communities” pilot program, which brings together five Tennessee communities to develop targeted plans to improve local college attainment.
During the College Completion Communities Summit held on September 26 at Nashville State Community College, leaders from each community delivered a presentation that highlighted their local postsecondary attainment and workforce development challenges and described the tactics they will employ to help raise college graduation rates in their area.

The presentations were followed by a panel discussion with Tennessee Education Commissioner Candice McQueen, Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe, Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor Flora Tydings and Higher Education Commission Executive Director Mike Krause.

Read more here


PERFECT FARM ACTIVITIES FOR YOUR NEXT FALL OUTING
NASHVILLE – As the fall weather approaches and Tennessee’s agritourism season is in full swing, a visit to the farm brings smiling faces, family fun, and unforgettable memories.

“We have 12 acres of pumpkins that look amazing,” Robertson County’s Honeysuckle Hill Farm owner Jeff Alsup said. “With more than 25 attractions, there are activities for all ages.”

Farms across the state have fun fall activities for everyone, including hayrides, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and even pick-your-own muscadines at some local vineyards. As Halloween draws near, haunted farm attractions offer the excitement that has become part of Tennessee’s spooky traditions.

This year, White’s Family Farms, also in Robertson County, designed a corn maze of country music singer Alan Jackson honoring his 60th birthday. Within the maze is a scavenger hunt filled with Tennessee music and Tennessee farming trivia. Additionally, Amazin’ Acres of Fun in White County designed an “I Farm iPhone” corn maze that has two levels of interactive fun.

“We are a real working farm welcoming people to celebrate fall harvest with us,” Amazin’ Acres of Fun owner Jimmy McCulley said. “We specialize in educational activities, where learning is fun and people of all ages can create unforgettable memories.”

With so many options in areas throughout Tennessee, you’re bound to find an agritourism destination near your hometown or wherever your fall travels take you. From kid-friendly places and haunted fields to romantic destinations, family-owned farms are perfect for every adventure you have in mind.
Farmer's Market Merch!


Obion County Farmer's Market merchandise is now available! Call Lauren at the Chamber to order! Shirts are $12 and reusable bags are 1 for $3 or 2 for $5!
Important Links
Obion County Attractions Featured in
New Tennessee Vacation Guide
Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 10, 2018 – The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development launched its 2018 Official Tennessee Vacation Guide, and Obion County is prominently featured!   Obion County’s Reelfoot Lake is among the thousands of destinations, attractions and events featured in the 2018 Official Tennessee Vacation Guide, released by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. The Tennessee Vacation Guide also spotlights… Download the guide here.