Chamber "At Work" News Brief
March 4th, 2019
Check out what's been going on at the Dyersburg/Dyer County Chamber of Commerce!
Here are the latest highlights!
Governor Lee visits Dot Foods
On Friday, March 1st, Governor Bill Lee visited Dyer County's own Dot Foods to lead a public discussion on vocational education's role in industrial development. Watch the video below for highlights of this event.

"We need industries to partner with education if we really want to transform the future of the state." -Governor Bill Lee
2019 Annual Chairman's Awards Banquet
The 2019 Annual Chairman's Awards Banquet took place Saturday, February 2nd at The Lannom Center. Nearly 400 guests enjoyed the message from Chancellor Keith Carver of UT-Martin, "Lessons in Leadership From My Aunt Sue." Afterwards, 2019-2020 Chairman of the Board Tommy Allmon presented Carver with a special bow tie to commemorate the event!
In conclusion to the program, Allmon introduced Assistant Commissioner of Community and Rural Development, Sammie Arnold, who led the presentation of the awards. Award winners included:
Diplomat of the Year: Chris Wilson
Small Business of the Year: Buff City Soap
Medium Business of the Year: Develey Mustard and Condiments
Large Business of the Year: Dot Foods
Non-Profit Organization of the Year: United Way of West Tennessee
Emerging Leader of the Year: Sara Jo Fountain
Distinguished Woman of the Year: Lindsay Ennis
Distinguished Man of the Year: Chris Donaldson

The ceremony concluded with the passing of the gavel from Outgoing Chairman of the Board Stephen M. Lane to Incoming Chairman Allmon.

Thanks to our Corporate Sponsors:
First Citizens National Bank
NSK Steering Systems
Tyson Foods
Dyersburg Electric System
Forcum Lannom Contractors
Security Bank
Burks Beverage/Broadcasting
Cable One
Eaton
Forcum Lannom Materials
Law Offices of Lannom Coronado Haight
Manpower
Simmons Bank
West Tennessee Healthcare

Table Sponsors:
Alexander, Thompson, Arnold CPA’s
Cowart, Reese and Sargent CPA’s
D&B Properties – Sonic Drive-Ins
Dyer County Farm Bureau
Dyersburg State Community College
Ford Construction
Life Choices
McIver’s Grant Public Library
RFW Construction
Servpro
White and Associates Insurance Agency

Also, a special thanks to Angie Covey and her crew, French's Catering, Lupo's Italian Steakhouse and the Stephen Newman Jazz Band.

Diplomat of the Year
Chris Wilson
Small Business of the Year
Buff City Soap
Medium Business of the Year
Develey Mustard and Condiments
Large Business of the Year
Dot Foods
Non-Profit Organization of the Year United Way of West Tennessee
Emerging Leader
Sara Jo Fountain
Distinguished Woman of the Year Lindsay Ennis
Distinguished Man of the Year
Chris Donaldson
Passing of the gavel
Stephen M. Lane and Tommy Allmon
Upcoming Chamber Events
Ribbon Cutting
Thursday, March 14th
10:30 a.m.
51 Downtown Service Station
200 North Main Avenue
Dyersburg, TN 38024

Ribbon Cutting
Friday, March 15th
11:00 a.m.
Tennessee Quality Hospice
640 Highway 51 Bypass E
Dyersburg, TN 38024

Ribbon Cutting
Thursday, March 21st
2:00 p.m.
Auston Mealer's Appliance Service Center
315 Troy Avenue
Dyersburg, TN 38024

Ribbon Cutting
Thursday, March 28th
1:00 p.m.
West Tennessee Healthcare Cardio-Pulminary Rehabillitation
400 Tickle Street
Dyersburg, TN 38024

New Members
Paws to Care, Inc.
The Willow Tree LLC / R&D Cakes & Catering 
Goodwill Career Solutions
Shelter Insurance
51 Downtown Service Station
Edward Jones - Chris Weik
Critter Corral
Harrison Fire Protection
Dyersburg Dyer County Arts Council
Member News
First Citizens National Bank celebrates 130 Years
First Citizens National Bank was established in 1889, and for 130 years the bank's communities have depended on its strength and stability. Today, the friendly faces at First Citizens National Bank still help guide you, your family and your business to a bright financial future. Chairman & CEO Jeff Agee, states “It is with great pleasure and pride that we celebrate 130 years of serving our customers, shareholders and communities.” First Citizens National Bank, headquartered in Dyersburg, TN with 25 locations throughout Tennessee, is a full service community bank with approximately $1.7 Billion in assets offering deposit, lending, wealth management, cash management, trust, insurance, and investments. For more information about First Citizens National Bank please visit www.FirstCNB.com.
Dyersburg State Generates an Annual Economic Impact of $61 Million
Dyersburg, Tennessee – Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) pumped an average of $61 million each year into the local economy over the past five years, a recent study shows. The analysis of the economic impact of the College on its service area revealed that the value of business volume and individual income generated amounted to about $306 million in the 2013-2018 period, and at least 10,922 jobs were created.

The study shows that local business volume—the total amount generated locally by businesses from the College’s direct and indirect expenditures—was $153 million for the five-year period. Of that total, more than $125 million came from non-local revenues, such as state appropriations, state/federal contracts and grants, and state/federal student financial aid revenues.

Although DSCC had an average of only 221 full-time-equivalent employees per year during the period, the total employment created by the College’s expenditures was estimated at 10,922 jobs for the five years. Of that number, 8,850 jobs were created by external or new funds. Using the more conservative of two different calculations, the study estimated that the impact of the College’s expenditures on individual income amounted to $153 million during 2013-2018, of which $129 million came from external or new funds.

Of the College’s $306 million total economic impact, more than $254 million ($51 million per year) could be attributed to the infusion of new non-local revenues. This impact would likely not have occurred without the presence of DSCC in the area.

The economic impact study notes that each dollar of local revenue coming into DSCC generated a “return on investment” of about $2.93 in local business volume. The individual income return on investment was at least $2.94, for a total ROI of at least $5.87 on the local dollar.

The study also estimated that an associate degree graduate could expect to earn about $470,000 more over their work lifetime than if they only had a high school diploma. For the most recent class of DSCC graduates, this difference could mean an additional $169 million in lifetime earnings, plus about $682,000 in additional annual tax payments.

Finally, the study described a number of benefits to society that are proven to accompany higher levels of education, including lower unemployment, reduced poverty, decreased crime and incarceration rates, improved personal health, etc.

The results of this economic impact study clearly demonstrate that DSCC continues to be a major contributor to the economic base of Northwest Tennessee. This economic impact is expressed in this study in terms of jobs created, business volume generated and personal income earned.

Dyersburg State and TCAT-Newbern/Covington/Ripley Chosen to Co-host CMT’s Empowering Education Tour
April 3
CMT’s Next Women of Country Courtney Cole to Perform on DSCC’s Dyersburg Campus

Dyersburg, Tennessee – In an effort to increase the number of work-ready residents in the state, Country Music Television (CMT) has joined forces with TBR - The College System of Tennessee, for a free multi-city concert tour targeting rural areas of the state this spring to encourage Tennesseans to pursue higher education. The tour will begin on April 3 and travel to four Community Colleges across the state.  
Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) and Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT)-Newbern/Covington/Ripley will kick-off the tour as they co-host the event on DSCC’s Dyersburg campus April 3 at 6 p.m. inside the E.H. Lannom, Jr. Gymnasium. Tickets are free and can be reserved online at www.dscc.edu. 
The event is free to the public and will include a resource fair beginning at 5:30 p.m. with free hot dogs and drinks for all attendees. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with CMT to open up the show at 6:30 p.m. The Dyersburg High School Choir, under the direction of Dustin Walters, will perform as an opening act for Courtney Cole. 
The partnership between CMT and the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) was announced last fall at the TBR Presidents’ Meeting in Nashville and aims to encourage more Tennesseans to attend college – whether to earn an academic degree or a technical or occupational degree or certificate – paving their way to successful careers that will benefit themselves and their families. CMT’s “Empowering Education” initiative offers four community colleges across the state the opportunity to receive additional support at a local level, including a free concert at each stop featuring CMT’s Next Women of Country, Courtney Cole.

“As someone who graduated from college in Tennessee, I am thrilled to be working with CMT and TBR to spread the message of the potential education has to change your life,” stated Cole. “I can’t wait to tour the state, put on a really fun show, and encourage people to follow their dreams.”

For more information, contact Amy Finch, director of public information, at 731-286-3347 or finch@dscc.edu.

Harlem Legends Basketball Show Coming Back to Dyersburg State April 6
Dyersburg, Tennessee – The Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) Alumni Association has announced that it will host the Harlem Legends Celebrity Basketball Show April 6, at 12 p.m., inside the E.H. Lannom, Jr. Gymnasium on the Dyersburg campus. A Harlem Legends Youth Clinic will be offered before the show at 10 a.m. All proceeds will benefit the DSCC Alumni Association Scholarship Fund.

The Harlem Legends, a group of former Harlem Globetrotters, NBA players, NFL players, USA Olympians and other professional athletes, will play against the Dyersburg State All-Stars. The Dyersburg State All-Star team will be comprised of alumni as well as local business and community leaders including mayors, coaches, teachers and more who have agreed to an afternoon of family fun as they challenge the Harlem Legends in a friendly game of hoops. 

Youth ages 7-14 years old are invited to attend the Harlem Legends Youth Basketball Clinic beginning at 10 a.m. The cost to attend is $25 per child and includes admission to the 12 p.m. show, fun basketball instruction from the Harlem Legends, an autographed team photo and a workout booklet. The Clinic will also stress the importance of education and leading a drug-free lifestyle. The opportunity to purchase an autographed basketball from the team for $20 will also be available. The Youth Clinic is limited to 70 children.

The cost to attend the Harlem Legends Basketball Show at 12 p.m. is $15 general admission presale, $20 at the door, and $30 VIP admission. The VIP admission tickets include preferred seating, an autographed team photo, access to the hospitality suite before the game, and a meet and greet with the Harlem Legends at 11 a.m. VIP tickets are limited.

Sponsorships for the event are available and include a variety of benefits including tickets, autographed team photos, and access to the hospitality suite, meet, and greet before the game.

The Harlem Legends were founded by former Harlem Globetrotter and DSCC Alumnus Michael Douglas and are a part of the Michael Douglas Youth Foundation™ (MDYF). The Michael Douglas Youth Foundation is a nonprofit organization devoted to providing positive messages and activities for people of all ages. The Legends travel all over the country for speaking engagements, festival appearances, and youth basketball camps and clinics. More information can be found at www.harlemlegends.com.

Michael Douglas grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and had a love for basketball at an early age. He was a standout athlete at Booker T. Washington High School and played for Dyersburg State Community College in 1979-80. In 1986, Michael tried out for the Harlem Globetrotters and was named the No. 1 pick among 1500 other outstanding athletes. He toured with the Globetrotters from 1986-1993 and has traveled to over 100 countries entertaining crowds as the seventh showman in the history of the Globetrotters. In 1991, he founded the MDYF to provide communities with fun, educational activities and promote a model of healthy living to others. The Foundation helps raise funds for communities and nonprofit organizations around the country.

Youth Clinic registration forms can be picked up and tickets can be purchased at the Business Office inside the Eller Administration Building on the Dyersburg campus. For more information, contact Constance Clay at 731-286-3349 or clay@dscc.edu.

DSCC to Host College Transfer and Career Fairs
Dyersburg, Tennessee – Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) will host several College Transfer and Career Fairs during the month of March. The fairs will welcome current DSCC students seeking to transfer to a four-year college or university after graduation and those seeking employment opportunities, internships or job shadow placement. Those seeking employment are encouraged to dress in business casual attire and bring several copies of their resume. Employers may choose to interview candidates on the spot.

The fairs will be held at the DSCC Dyersburg campus March 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., inside the Dale F. Glover Education Center; at the DSCC Jimmy Naifeh Center at Tipton County March 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., inside the Learning Resource Center, Ripley Power and Light Company Lobby.

Exhibitors wishing to secure space during the event should RSVP as soon as possible as space is limited and will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. To RSVP exhibitors are asked to contact Tracie Langley at 731-286-3324 or langley@dscc.edu or Carmen Pfeifer at 901-475-3137 or pfeifer@dscc.edu. 

Dyersburg State Hosts Luncheon for Local Guidance Counselors and Administrators
Dyersburg, Tennessee – Area high school guidance counselors and administrators recently attended a meeting and luncheon at Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) Feb. 12 inside the Student Center Commons on the Dyersburg campus. DSCC’s Office of Admissions hosts the event every spring and fall to keep high schools informed of opportunities and changes taking place at DSCC and in higher education. Attending the luncheon were (from left) Larenda Fultz, DSCC dean of student services, Jennifer Ray, Natalie Medling and Willa McCall of Dyer County High School, Heather Gann, DSCC director of admissions, Amy Mobley of Dyer County High School, Michelle Johnson of Lake County High School, Tracie Langley, DSCC assistant director of recruitment, Anna Claire Bradshaw and Teresa Maxwell of Dyersburg High School, Dr. Karen Bowyer, DSCC president, Vanessa Griffin of Halls High School, Connie Stewart, executive director of Workforce Services, Beth Micke, DSCC admissions counselor, Kacee Hardy, DSCC director of financial aid, Tonya McKellar of Lake County High School and Julie Frazier, DSCC dean of business, technology and allied health.

Upcoming Member Events