From the President's Desk
As I am composing this letter, it is hard to believe another month has passed. I had procrastinated starting as I did not have an answer to my question, “What is my subject this month?”. There were some obvious choices: COVID, State of the Economy, what Father’s Day means to me, to name a few. These are all relevant and important. However, the story that I fell upon that seemed most appropriate was revealed to me at the delayed ribbon cutting of 107 Tire & Service Center.
In addition to the great home-made banana pudding that was served and the hospitality extended by owners Ivis and Bethany, the beaming smiles and “proud family” expressions on the faces of their family standing behind them as they cut the green ribbon, reiterated why small, family businesses are the backbone of our community and country. Ivis is a second generation auto-mechanic. He loves Greene County. He wants to raise his family and share his experiences with his children. In fact, he is grooming his son, Masen, to be the next owner of 107 Tire & Service Center. He has converted a one bay garage shop that he bought at a yard sale. Yes, you read that correctly. It is now a very clean, well-organized 3-bay garage. The pride in their accomplishment and to think they have pushed through COVID is a testament to the support of his family and our community. The ribbon cutting was delayed due to COVID.
Two weeks ago, the Greene County Partnership launched our small business grant program via the Greene County Partnership Foundation. Again, the amazing support this community provides is astounding. In two short weeks, we have raised $40K to award GRANTS to small, Greene County, businesses. Humbly, all the donors have asked to remain anonymous. More amazing, we have had small businesses apply and then ask to be removed of consideration as they are recovering better than expected. Most have stated they do not want to use funds that could be utilized by another small business with a greater need. Finally, we have had donors state they received a stimulus check and it would be better used to help a small business make it through this tough time. These acts of kindness and generosity exemplify what it means to be a Greene Countian.
Someone asked me if we would raise enough money to make a difference. I knew without a doubt our Greene County Family would make that happen. Just like Ivis’ family that supported him as he opened his business, the growing support for this program shows the commitment to small businesses by the citizens of Greene County.
To apply for a small business grant or make a donation to the Grant Fund, please contact the Greene County Partnership.
As always, we are here to assist and thank you for your support.
Jeff
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GCP Foundation Small Business Grant
The Greene County Partnership Foundation has announced a new grant to help local, small businesses recover from the economic impact of COVID-19.
Greene County Partnership President and CEO Jeff Taylor said the organization is now seeking contributions as well as accepting applications, and the grant is intended to connect local dollars with local needs.
Taylor said a local family has committed to matching funds dollar for dollar up to $50,000, and the Partnership hopes to be able to award $100,000 through the new grant.
Businesses eligible to apply for the grant include small businesses physically located in Greene County that employ no more than 50 people.
Taylor said the grant is intended to complement other federal and local grants that are available and provide another option to help small, local businesses.
“Greene County is resilient,” Taylor said. “We take care of each other in times of need.”
Businesses excluded from eligibility include banking and financial services; real estate; seasonal businesses; liquor, tobacco or vaping retail stores, and franchises, aside from locally owned and operated franchises.
Taylor said the grant will be competitive, and a scoring system will be used to determine grant winners. Preference will be given to applicants that were forced by Gov. Bill Lee’s executive orders 17, 21, 22 or 23 to cease or significantly modify operations.
For more information, to apply or to contribute to the fund, contact Taylor at the Partnership at 638-4111 or
president@greenecop.net
.
Source: The Greeneville Sun
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Capitalizing on the current craze of angel wings murals in communities, the Greene County Partnership recently uveiled our #WingsInGreene mural. We've already seen an increase in foot traffic and photo-ops to include visitors to the Andrew Johnson Historic Site.
Stop by and take a photo with the wings and don't forget to tag us on social media.
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Sundown on Depot
The fifth annual Sundown on Depot will return to historic downtown Greeneville on August 22 with a new location, Main Street. Cars, trucks and bikes of all makes and models are invited to cruise in to downtown, fill Main Street, and enjoy the day. Food trucks and concession vendors will be offering their fare. Hours of Sundown are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Capitol Theatre, located on Main Street, will offer a 3 p.m., showing of the classic movie “California Kid”.
Proceeds from the show go to fund the ministry of Holston United Methodist Home for Children. Visit Sundown on Depot on Facebook and Instagram for more details or contact Bill Collins, 552-8376, Mike Boles, 638-4558, or Joni Parker, Greene County Partnership, 423-638-4111.
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Sundown on Depot 2020 shirts are now available for purchase at the Greene County Partnership office. Sizes available are S - 3X. Cost is $15 picked up or $20 shipped. Call the GCP office at 638-4111 to ensure your size and color is still available.
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New Members
The Greene County Partnership welcomes the following new members: Greenwood Oaks Farm & Event Venue, Chick-fil-A Greeneville, Quality Inn of Bulls Gap, Air Med Care Network, Summerfield Herb Farm, North Main Audio Customs Inc., Glamour Tans LLC, Northeast TN Food Alliance dba Depot Street Farmers Market and Hamilton Chiropractic Clinic.
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The Greene Coat Ambassadors welcomed 107 Tire & Service Center at a ribbon cutting on Thursday, June 18
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. The business is located at 6256 Erwin Hwy. The business offers automotive repair and tire store.
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Please join the Greene Coat Ambassadors at a ribbon cutting for Greenwood Oaks Farm & Event Venue on Wednesday, July 22 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.. BBQ will be provided and Creamy Cup will be onsite. The business is located at 590 Greenwood Road in Afton, TN. The business is a farm and event venue space that offers weddings, showers, corporate parties, proms and any events with guests up to 150 people. Please RSVP to 638-4111 or email
gcp@greenecop.com
by July 15 for the BBQ lunch.
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Adult Leadership Nominations
Nominations are now being accepted for the Leadership Greene County Class of 2020-2021. This is a personal program designed to motivate participants to develop and enhance the quality of their leadership in addressing pertinent community needs and implementing them into their everyday life and work situations. Click
here
for a nomination form.
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We're Glad You're Open
With the re-opening of attractions, hotels and venues in Greeneville and Greene County, the Tourism Department of the Greene County Partnership has designed a “We’re Glad You’re Open” social media campaign to celebrate.
Tourism plans to visit the location, take a picture of the owner or staff member with signage celebrating their opening plans and then implement into social media. This is tourism’s way of helping get the word out to come visit now.
If your business, attraction or venue has plans for re-opening or have opened back up since the pandemic, please contact Kinser at the Partnership at 423-638-4111 or email to
tkinser@greenecop.com
to schedule a photo opportunity.
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In honor of our essential workers and to all dedicated to keeping their businesses open during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Tourism Department of the Greene County Partnership is asking you to help honor them by nominating persons for our special edition of “Presidential Pioneer Awards, Honoring Essential Workers”.
Nominations will be received by the Tourism Department beginning June 8 through June 29. The Presidential Pioneer Award will recognize front-line service personnel ( a police officer, firefighter, nurse, doctor, frontline employee, a department store clerk, a gas station attendant or the server at a local restaurant) and essential workers who give their all to the community.
The Tourism Department of the Greene County Partnership will select up to five winners to be recognized. A committee, comprised of community members, will pay a visit to the honorees’ places of business (if allowed) during working hours to present the awards which will include personalized plaques.
Submit nomination(s) no later than Monday, June 29. For more information on the awards, contact Kinser at
tkinser@greenecop.com
, or call 423-638-4111.
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Yard of the Month Contest
Keep Greene Beautiful and Broyles Garden Center and Emporium are happy to announce the launching of the Yard of the Month. The Yard of the Month will be a monthly award that recognizes the citizens of Greene County who contribute to the overall aesthetics and health of our community by maintaining exceptionally clean and beautiful properties. The Yard of the Month will be open for nominations from June to September and will be judged by volunteers of Keep Greene Beautiful. You can find all of the information about this program and the judging criteria online at
www.keepgreenebeautiful.com
.
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Free Electronic Recycling Day
A “Free Electronic Recycling Day will be held Friday, August 7
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at the new location of the Greene County Fairgrounds back parking lot from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Visit
www.keepgreenebeautiful.com
for a list of items accepted.
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Keep Greene Beautiful Golf Tournament
Sponsored by GFL Environmental is August 13
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at Link Hills Country Club. Teams are still available for the tournament. Lunch, dinner, cart and green fees are included in a team sponsorship for $400. Sponsorships are available as follows: Luncheon, $750; Contest, $200; and Hole Sponsor, $100. Click here for the brochure. Anyone interested in the tournament should contact Jennifer Wilder at 638-4111 or
kgb@greenecop.com
.
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Education & Workforce Development
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The Greene County Partnership Education & Workforce Development Department is seeking community and business partners for local schools. Master Partnerships enable personnel from the educational and business worlds to interact and accomplish common goals. If your business would like to learn more about this program, please contact Dana Wilds at
econdev@greenecop.com
or 423-638-4111.
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From the GLPS Facebook:
NOTICE OF THE NEXT STEP IN GREENEVILLE LIGHT & POWER SYSTEM’S RETURN TO NORMAL BUSINESS PRACTICES:
As the COVID-19 situation appears to have eased, Greeneville Light & Power is able to continue its gradual return to normal business practices. Customers and visitors will no longer be required to wear masks while inside GL&PS facilities. But for a little while, they are asked to continue following social distancing markers and using separate entrance and exit doors.
This COVID-19 invasion has been difficult. Businesses struggled to protect the health of their employees and of their Customers while continuing to offer services. And Customers were especially stressed as they had to adapt to one set of safety practices here and another set there, when all they wanted was to get their business done and move on. But it worked. Businesses are returning to normal the number of COVID-19 infections is lower. All the precautions only worked because the public made them work.
I want to thank everyone for the patience and understanding they exhibited while doing business at GL&PS. Even though safety concerns pushed us to close our lobby for a while, forcing Customers to do business via our drive through lanes, we got very few complaints. After we cautiously reopened our lobby with those annoying safety practices in place, the public again understood the need for caution and registered few complaints.
Now that we are almost back to normal, all of us at Greeneville Light & Power pledge to continue serving you as safely, efficiently, and effectively as possible.
Thanks again.
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Dear Business Leaders and Local Officials,
The Tennessee Department of Health, in support of Governor Lee, Unified Command and Tennessee’s Economic Recovery Group, want to thank you for all your hard work in opening up the state for business. The Northeast Public Health Region has been fortunate in the relatively small numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths thus far. We need to remain vigilant in maintaining preventive measures that include social distancing, wearing cloth face masks when outside our homes, washing hands and surfaces frequently and consistently as well as remaining home when not feeling well.
The Department of Health is able to distribute free cloth face masks. Please let the Greene County Partnership (423-638-4111) or the Greene County Health Department (423-798-1749) know if you have a need. A suggestion for improving mask wearing among employees and/or customers includes encouraging/incentivizing wearing cloth face covering when workers have to be in close proximity with other workers or the public.
Other useful resources include:
Manufacturing Facilities: Key Strategies to Prevent COVID-19 Infection among Employees:
Click Here
Free, drive through COVID-19 testing continues to be available at the Greene County Health Department, Monday through Friday 9 am-12 pm. Please call 423-798-1749 for more information.
Click Here
The Regional Information Line remains available to anyone with inquiries about COVID-19. It is open Monday through Friday between 8 am-4:30 pm at 423-979-4689.
Thank you again for doing your part to protect the health of your employees and community.
Cathy Osborne
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Thank you to our Newsletter Sponsor!
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