From the President's Desk |
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2020! “Bye, Bye, Bye!” Not sure I thought I would ever reference NSYNC’s hit song in my professional career! However, I think we were all ready to say goodbye to 2020 and move on. So, move on, we have!
Despite some of the lingering challenges of COVID, there is positive momentum to propel us to a much better and brighter 2021. Our Greene County Health Department is doing a great job administering the vaccine. Their challenge is receiving the vaccine. Thank you for being prepared and having a great logistical plan. The COVID cases in Greene County have a nice downward trend as depicted in the graphs below. Let’s continue to each do our part!
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Greene County continues to support our local businesses. The Sales Tax Revenue increase for December 2020 is 20.6% better than Dec. 2019. Remember 2019? The economy was hitting on all cylinders and even the gridiron Vols had won their last 6 games. Lastly, we have jobs in Greene County! However, the unemployment rate continues to be a bit of a head scratcher. Our unemployment rated increased from 5.5 to 7.1. We currently have hundreds of jobs to which we are “pushing” via all media outlets. Most of our industries are struggling to hire associates to meet the demand of their customers. So please share that jobs are available at www.jobs4TN.gov as well as our local temp. services.
So, you ask, “How have we moved on?” The team at the GCP is continuing to promote our “Mask Up” campaign for our safety and also accelerate being able to “Mask Off”! In late December as we were wrapping up our Shop Small Campaign, development for our 2021 strategy was also in process. As a result, we have a very aggressive 2021 plan consisting of new events, renewing traditional events, either in a new format(virtual) or hopefully in the old format (in person/live), and new campaigns to improve the visibility /promotion of Greene County. We have not let up. We are diligently working to provide information to our partners and engaging opportunities as we continue to work in the COVID environment.
As Mac Davis sang in his country classic, “Happiness is Lubbock in my rearview mirror”. “2020” could easily replace Lubbock in this lyric. In fact, I may have sung a verse or two with the new wording! The team at the GCP is not looking back! We look forward to a better, healthier 2021 and being able to bring programming and opportunities so that we all can enjoy “Mask Off”!
We urge everyone to still adhere to best practices and we appreciate your continued support!
Jeff
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2021 Greene County Partnership Officers
The Greene County Partnership Board of Directors has approved the 2021 officers, executive committee members, and directors. Serving as officers of the Partnership will be Jennifer Keller, chairwoman; Bob Leonard, secretary/treasurer & past chair. Joining these officers as executive committee members are Tammy Albright, Mayor W.T. Daniels, Jerry Fortner, Mayor Kevin Morrison, Jeff Taylor, and Trey Youngblood.
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New and Re-elected Board Members
The Partnership welcomes newly elected and re-elected board members: David Broyles, Broyles General Store; John Loven, Summers Taylor; Ron Metcalfe, Radio Greeneville; David Peake, Peake Insurance; Bronson Winters, General Morgan Inn; who were elected to a three-year term, and Paul Mauney, The Greeneville Sun/Adams Publishing; who was elected to a second three-year term. Allen Hawk, agriculture representative; Gail Landers, C21Legacy, real estate; and Nicki Sentelle, American Greetings; have been appointed to fill their respective seats.
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Departing Board Members
Our sincere appreciation goes out to departing board members who have completed their terms: Allen Jones, Steve Harbison, Ted Bryant, and Jessi Linkus. Thank you for your years of service to the Partnership!
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Shop Small Greene & Love Your Local |
Spending your money locally makes a huge impact. As you shop for those you love this February, remember to shop local.
Tag us in your shopping experience on social media by using #loveyourlocal #shopsmallgreene
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#MaskUpGreene
Wearing a mask is a simple way to help stop the spread of COVID-19. By wearing one you’re helping keep Greene County safe and healthy!
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New Member
The Partnership welcomes the following new member:
Core Services Solutions Co.
Kevin Hinkle
215 Briargate Lane
Greeneville, TN 37743
Phone: 423-620-90
Business type: Consulting/Sustainable Development
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Membership Breakfast
Sponsorships are available for the Monthly Membership Breakfasts. Contact Lori Dowell at 638-4111 or email gcp@greenecop.com for more information on sponsoring one of these events.
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Member Mailing
Space is available for the Member Emailing! The cost is $50 per flyer/PDF. This is a great opportunity to market your products or businesses. Contact Lori Dowell at 638-4111 or email gcp@greenecop.com.
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If you’re a farmer or rural business owner interested in improving energy use of your operation or developing a renewable energy system, take notice. UT Extension, USDA Rural Development, and the Tennessee Valley Authority among others, will conduct a workshop that may help you get funding.
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) workshop will occur on February 9 from 1-4 p.m. (EST). This virtual workshop is designed to help producers and rural businesses (located in areas with a population of 50,000 or less) enhance the energy efficiency of their operations or develop biomass-based, wind- or solar energy-based systems. The focus of the workshop will be on helping producers and rural businesses develop their ideas for the REAP program, a competitive grant and loan program that helps producers and rural businesses improve energy efficiency or develop renewable energy systems.
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NJCAA DIII World Series
Plans are already underway and the Sports Council executive committee have been meeting on the 2021 National Junior College Athletic Association’s DIII World Series to take place at Pioneer Park in May. Teams and their supporters from across the nation will converge on Greeneville and Tusculum to play world champion caliber baseball. Sponsorships are available beginning at $500 up to $5,000.
If you are interested in supporting this nationally recognized sports event with a multi-million dollar local economic impact, please contact Jeff Taylor or Trevor Rice.
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The Talking Tree made a to visit the Boys & Girls Club of Greeneville to share about conservation and ways they can help Keep Greene Beautiful! |
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Leadership Programs have been learning virtually about our community. Members heard from Mayor Kevin Morrison, United Way, Food Bank, Foster Grandparent Program, Greene County Rescue Squad and the Greeneville Fire Department. |
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Economic and Workforce Development |
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Manufacturers Council
The Manufacturers Council met virtually on January 26th to begin planning 2021 meetings and topics. The council consists of leaders at Greene County manufacturing companies and meets monthly to discuss best practices between factories, careers in manufacturing, and services in the industry.
If you would like to receive more information about joining the council, please contact Christina Potts at econdev@greenecop.com or call (423) 638-4111.
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Teacher Supply Depot
The Greene County Partnership will be opening the Teacher Supply Depot to Greeneville City School and Greene County School teachers by APPOINTMENT ONLY during the weeks of February 8th and February 15th. Supplies are provided to our public educators at no cost.
A special thank you to our Teacher Supply Depot sponsors and donors: Ballad Health - Greeneville Community Hospitals, Forward Air Corporation, Walmart Distribution Center 6039, and Publix Super Market at Fairgrounds Plaza.
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Living Downtown Greeneville, TN Survey
In an effort to collect feasibility data for a downtown project, the Greene County Partnership is seeking input regarding downtown living. Please take a minute to give your feedback by answering three quick questions.
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The East Tennessee State University Applied Social Research Lab is conducting a survey on behalf of the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). As a resident of Tennessee, they are interested in your recommendations on how TDOT can better engage in our community. The survey takes about 10 minutes complete.
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Exchange Club of Greeneville
The annual Exchange Club Extravaganza will be held Mar 15, at 7 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be conducting the drawing via live video feed on our Facebook page. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased by reaching out to a club member, or by going to https://exchangeclubofgreenevilletn.org/. The money we raise from our Extravaganza is used to fund scholarships for deserving students, our annual Field Day, and as donations to organizations in Greeneville/Greene County who's goals align with ours: the prevention of child abuse.
Prize Drawings Include:
1st - $500
50th - $100
100th - $100
150th - $150
200th - $200
250th - $250
Last 10 tickets left have a chance to win or split $10,000!!
Unlike other random drawing events, the Exchange Club’s Extravaganza is a Reverse Draw Sweepstakes. We draw out losing ticket numbers until only ten tickets remain. The remaining ticket holders are given the option of splitting the winnings evenly or continuing the draw. A split can happen when all remaining ticket holders agree to split the grand prize. There are only a limited number of tickets available, so make sure to get yours before they're all gone!
The Exchange Club of Greeneville is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a goal to make our city and county a better place to live and a special focus on the prevention of child abuse. If you are interested in learning more about their organization or would like to attend one of their meetings, please reach out to them at exchangeclubgville@hotmail.com or by sending a message to their Facebook page.
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Parrish Properties 18th Edition Calendar
Parrish Properties has released the 18th edition of their calendar and this year's feature is the Veteran's Park.
If you would like to pick up this year's edition, please stop by their offices located at 1009 Tusculum Blvd. or call 423.798.0164.
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