From the President's Desk
We are at that time of the year where the mornings are foggy, our students are heading back to school (virtual or traditional) and we start the process of preparing for the Holiday Season. Did I mention, HOLIDAY SEASON! I did! Back-to-school shopping is complete and a very different experience this year. But what has not been very different? Right? Maybe not!
As they say, “There is no news, like good news!” The most recent state report on sales tax revenue was released this week and Greene County residents supported our local businesses. Year-over year, sales tax increased 25%! We do not have the details as to which sector the spending occurred, regardless, it is good news. Thank you, Greene County! This is two months in a row that we have had double-digit sales tax revenues for our community. Why is this so important?
1. Local dollars staying home, support local initiatives
2. Promotes additional opportunity for new businesses
3. Creates job creation
4. Provides more choices for shopping, dining and entertainment
5. Keeps Greene…. green!
6. Strong retail communities are a key industry recruitment tool.
The team at the GCP has been working very hard to provide creative support for our members with multiple media campaigns to promote our local businesses. We ask that you share our posts and encourage others to continue to support our local businesses! Not only are we “All in this together” fighting COVID, but this also applies to economic development. Shopping local benefits us all!
Be safe and MASK UP!
Jeff
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Sundown on Depot
The fifth annual Sundown on Depot returned to historic downtown Greeneville on Saturday, August 22 with nearly 400 autos making their way downtown. The event included local car enthusiasts as well as attendees from all surrounding states, long distance driver from Lima, Ohio, and the president of the Paraoh's Car Club from Modesto, CA.
A special Thank You goes out to all our volunteers and sponsors who assisted with the annual event.
Photo by Joseph Robinson Photography
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GCP Foundation Small Business Grant
Applications still being accepted for the GCP Foundation's Small Business Grant Program. For additional information and for the application, click here.
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Tennessee Small Business Relief Program Expanded
Governor Lee and the Financial Stimulus Accountability Group announced that new and expanded financial relief programs for small businesses, agribusinesses, displaced workers, and the tourism industry through the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF). The Tennessee Small Business Relief Program will expand to include additional industries adversely impacted by reductions in commercial activity in April, with $83.5 million added to the programs’ initial $200 million allotment. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed enormous strain on businesses and industries of all types. For more information: https://www.tn.gov.
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Governor Lee has allocated $50 million to a reimbursement grant program for agriculture and forestry-related businesses. This program will be a one-time fund called the Coronavirus Agricultural and Forestry Business Fund (CAFB Fund) which will be administered through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Business Development Division. This funding is intended to help businesses that have been adversely impacted by reductions in the economic activity caused by the coronavirus. TDA will accept applications from August 17 to August 31 with grants planned to be announced the week of September 14. For more information, including the application form, can be found on the TDA website https://tncaresact.tn.gov/tda. |
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Sharkation ... A Shark on Vacation!
The award winning Sammy the Shark has been on Sharkation right here in Greeneville, TN. After a very busy Shark Week, he chose Greeneville as his vacation destination.
Tourism’s social media mascot, developed in 2019, swam all over town taking photos, handing out Sharkation swag and promoting local businesses. A huge thanks goes out to all of our local businesses that welcomed Sammy in their doors!!
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Wings and Wheels on the GreenE returns to GCY
Wings & Wheels on the GreenE is set to take place on September 12 at the Greeneville Municipal Airport. The fly-in/cruise-in will feature not only visitors flying in from around the southeast, but will also feature a cruise in with cars of all makes and models. Enjoy food trucks, the unveiling of the Compass by the 99’s, skydiving and more. For more information, or how to sponsor this event, (sponsorships run from $250-$2,000), contact Tammy Kinser tkinser@greenecop.com or call 423-638-4111.
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Tourism Enhancement Grant Awarded for Beach Volleyball Courts
The state of Tennessee’s Tourism Enhancement Grant has been awarded to the Tourism Department and the Town of Greeneville for the construction of four beach volleyball courts at Hardin Park. The $42,000 will be used to construct the courts and Tourism and its Sports Council can promote the venue for regional, state and national championship events. Tourism received this grant in its pilot year and received $47,000 for improvements at the Greene County Tennis Center on Hal Henard Road. Those improvements have helped the venue to host many more tournaments all the while increasing tourism expenditures and sales tax revenue for Greene County.
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Celebrating International Housekeeping Week
International Housekeeping Week will be celebrated September 13-19 by awarding one housekeeper with a Greene County gift basket full of prizes from local businesses. Each lodging facility is asked to nominate one housekeeper for this award. This is a week dedicated to recognizing the efforts of hard-working custodial staff members. If you would like to donate an item for the gift basket, please contact Tammy Kinser at tkinser@greenecop.com or call 423-638-4111.
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Yard of the Month Contest
Congratulations to July Yard of the Month Winner Dr. James & Phyllis McKinney (Romans Drive).
The McKinney’s received a $50 gift card from Broyles General Store.
During the Yard of the Month program no yard will be allowed to receive more than one award within the calendar year. The residential property of all current Greene County residents are eligible to participate. The yard upkeep may be done by the homeowner or a professional landscaper. The winner of the Yard of the Month is asked to display their award sign and are expected to maintain their yard in the same manner that allowed them to win their title of “Yard of the Month.”
Keep Greene Beautiful will continue to take nominations from the public and award winners for August and September. The Yard of the Month 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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Keep Greene Beautiful Golf Tournament
Industrial Supply Company won the Iron Eyes Cody Traveling Trophy at the Keep Greene Beautiful Golf Tournament on August 13. Members of the team were Van Brooks, Mike Mather, Anthony Tullock and Brad Whittenburg. Runners-up were members of the Appalachian Forest Products: Anthony Payne, Nick Hatfield, Lance Hatfield and Jim Harrison. Special thanks to the title sponsor GFL Environmental, contest sponsors ArtaZn, Air Pro Heating & Cooling, and Mortgage Investors- Nick Hirschy, hole sponsors; and Creekside Market for providing beverages.
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Introducing the Class of 2021
The following twenty-four individuals will participate in the year long Leadership Greene County program.
- Cody Allen, Greene County Property Assessor’s Office
- Braiden Anderson, Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
- Lindsey Barham, Circuit Court Clerk’s Office
- Racheal Black, Morning Pointe Assisted Living
- Amanda Carter, Andrew Johnson Bank
- Trey Cunningham, US Nitrogen;
- Clay Dunaway, Greene County EMS
- Jake Fait, Tusculum University
- Jesse Higgins, Greeneville Light & Power
- Norma Hollifield, Life Care Center of Greeneville
- Darlene Hurley, Walmart Supply Chain Home Office
- Scott Jenkins, Greeneville Sun
- Jerome Julian, Apex Bank
- Andrew Kerr, Town of Greeneville
- Ken Lawrence, Greene County EMS
- Tammy Livingston, Greene County Trustee’s Office
- Tonjua McCullough, TEVET
- Jessica Poore, Boys & Girls Club
- Joe Prokop, Greeneville Police Department
- Craig Ray, John Deere Power Products
- Jana Riddle, Tusculum University
- Blaine Stressman, US Nitrogen
- Robert Wilhoit, Greeneville Fire Department.
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Greene LEAF, local Educational Advancement Foundation is compiling a list of free WiFi locations for area students. Please let Suzanne Richey if your business/organizations offers this at director@greeneleaf.org and call 823-0732.
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Thank you to our Newsletter Sponsor! |
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