INSIDE This Edition - Smithville`s Stella Luna gallery closing after 10
Transcription
INSIDE This Edition - Smithville`s Stella Luna gallery closing after 10
a Fo Paccocu ge u s o s nt n 13 in -1 g 4 A Voice For Upper Cumberland Businesses December 2009 | Issue 60 Mega deals require incentives and ‘shovel-ready’ sites BEVERLEY NASH CBJ Staff J&S to build ‘green’ wellness center in Kentucky TOMPKINSVILLE, Ky. – J&S Construction Company has been chosen to construct the $2.5 million Monroe County Family Wellness Center in Tompkinsville, Ky. “We’re just humbled that we’ve been given this opportunity to serve the people of Monroe County and we are confident that we will do a good job for them,” said John D. Stites II, CEO of J&S. The county was awarded a $3 million grant by the Kentucky state legislature for the project in 2006. The unanimous decision to select J&S as general contractor for the design-build project was made by the Monroe Fiscal Court following presentations from three companies. The building will include a six-lane swimming pool, a cardio-fitness area and support facilities. It will be the second building of a multi-phase project. With the building’s interior layout tentative, J&S will use its expertise in design-build construction to meet the owner’s June 30, 2010 deadline. Of the three companies being considered, J&S designed the facility to include the most square footage, as well as assurances that J&S would not submit change order requests. The contract was signed the second week in November and work is in progress. Communities that don’t offer a robust package of incentives and have “shovel-ready” sites that are available to attract large-scale business/industry prospects are “eliminated before the hunt,” according to Gary Farlow, president/CEO of the Cleveland-Bradley County Chamber of Commerce. Farlow recently spoke to members of the CookevillePutnam County Chamber of Commerce about how his community was able to attract an investment by Wacker Chemie AG to build a $1 billion polysilicon manufacturing facility in Cleveland. Wacker is one of three global giants to choose Tennessee sites for billiondollar facilities during a sevenmonth period from July 2008 to February 2009. German-based Wacker, which is the world’s second NSCC tailors offerings to region’s work force Averitt wins Quest for Quality service awards COOKEVILLE – Averitt Express was recently honored with three 2009 Quest for Quality awards from Logistics Management magazine. See MEGADEALS pg.18 Midstate Wine & Spirits opens at Baxter Junction BEVERLEY NASH CBJ Staff It is all about providing training and education for a highly technical, highly skilled work force at the Cookeville Campus of Nashville State Community College, according to Director Dennis Tennant. The college recently held an open house to familiarize business and industry leaders about campus offerings, and how NSCC-Cookeville can help students develop work force skills for 21st century jobs. The event was coPhotos: Darrell Kerley CBJ sponsored by the CookevillePutnam County Chamber of Commerce, and brought together CEOs, human resource directors, training officers, Putnam County school officials and other community leaders from across the region. “The open house was a chance to showcase our Dennis Tennant, director of Nashville State Community College campus and to learn what the demonstrates one of the industrial robots built by NSCC students needs are for area and used to teach work. manufacturers and how we the demonstrations was an course. can help them be exhibition by one of several “The robot is able to competitive,” said Tennant. robots that have been built distinguish the difference Approximately 40 by NCSS students. Similar in between the black line and attendees were given a tour appearance to Disney’s the white floor on either side of the campus and popular Wall-E animated of the line and is guided opportunities to view character, the 18-inch-high around the course by keeping demonstration of state-ofrobotic figure traveled along the line in the center of its the-art lab equipment, a large circle drawn with a sights,” explained Tennant. software and processes used black marker in the center of Another robot identified by students to gain valuable the room, showing its ability and sorted marble-sized steel skills. to recognize and traverse the balls by size, weight and One of the highlights of See bizbuzz pg.15 largest producer of polysilicon used in semiconductors, announced its deal in February. This was just one month after news broke that the number one polysilicon producer, Hemlock Semiconductor, would build a $1.2 billion facility in BEVERLEY NASH CBJ Staff Midstate Wine & Spirits is now the second package liquor store to open in Baxter since voters passed a package store referendum November 2008. Owner Chris Mabey recently opened the store at 115 Fast Lane in the Baxter Junction retail complex. Midstate occupies 2,600 square feet of retail space, with a walk-in cooler for chilled wines and specialty beers, in addition to a storage area. The store carries a full line of spirits. “We are stocking our wine cellar around customer needs based on what products they are using,” said Mabey, “We have an experienced staff that can help them choose.” Mabey said customer tastes in this area vary widely, from very, very sweet to very dry wines. “We are proud to be here,” said Mabey, “and excited about the business. We are looking forward to serving people here, whether they need a single bottle of wine for dinner or several cases for a wedding reception of 300.” Officials in Baxter hope the store will bring needed revenue to the city. In November 2008, residents voted to permit package liquor stores in the community that has an See NSCC pg.19 See SPIRITS pg.18 INSIDE This Edition Community Bank... Executive Profile Medical Profile Fast Facts Community Bank completes merger with Edsouth. American Way Real Estate’s Jeff Jones. Outpatient Imaging Center changing diagnostic imaging... New business licenses and county-by-county unemployment rates. See Profile pg.6 See MEDICAL pg.10 See FASTFACTS pg.8 CUMBERLAND BUSINESS JOURNAL 705 NORTH DIXIE AVE COOKEVILLE, TN 38501 See COMMUNITY BANK pg.3 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID COOKEVILLE PERMIT NO. 76 2 December 2009 www.ucbjournal.com THINK TV FOR YOUR BUSINESS IS TOO EXPENSIVE? THINK agaIN. Find the best tV solution For your business $10 OFF Per Month for 12 Months FREE EXPERT CONSULTATION ADD HD FOR $10/mO FREE SIRIUS RADIO CHANNELS fOR 3 MONtHS Great TV packages for less than $1 a day. The Technology Store 931-526-7243 921 S Willow Ave Cookeville, TN 38501 Requires 24-month qualifying programming purchase. Restrictions apply, including business verification and monthly fees for additional receivers. Offer ends 1/31/10 and is available in the continental United States for new, first-time DISH Network commercial customers. All prices, packages and programming subject to change without notice. All DISH Network programming, and any other services that are provided, are subject to the terms and conditions of the promotional agreement and Commercial Customer Agreement. December 2009 3 www.ucbjournal.com INSIDE This Edition Legislative forum . .... PG. 4 Executive Profile: Jeff Jones ....................... PG. 6 Fast Facts: Unemployment & Business Licenses . PG. 8 Medical Profile: Outpatient Imaging Center .......PG. 10 Overton Chamber column. ...............................PG. 11 J&S takes LEED gold .......... .............................. PG. 12 Accounting Focus . ............ ........................PGS. 13-14 Highland Industrial Park update . ..................PG. 14 Going Green: Conserving water ......................PG. 18 Classifieds: ............PG. 19 JAY ALBRECHT Publisher/Editor BEVERLEY NASH Staff Writer Advertising JEFF DUNCAN Darrell Kerley ABBEY BARNES AMY BLAYLOCK NEW DESIGN/LAYOUT DARRELL KERLEY Production Manager Jesse kaufman Photography PTT VENTURES, LLC Larry mcdonald Chairman MIKE MCCLOUD Principal Advisor info@ucbjournal.com The Cumberland Business Journal is published monthly by PTT Ventures, LLC. It is produced by MMA Creative at 705 N. Dixie Ave., Cookeville, TN 38501. PHONE: (931) 528-8852. FAX: (931) 520-3833. E-MAIL: info@ucbjournal.com. Every attempt is made to present factual information; neither the Cumberland Business Journal, nor PTT Ventures can be held responsible for opinions expressed or erroneous information provided by contributing writers. Cumberland Business Journal© by PTT Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved unless granted by written permission. Call for subscription rates. Community Bank completes merger with Edsouth BEVERLEY NASH CBJ Staff John E. Arnold Jr., president of Educational Services of America (dba Edsouth Services) and its wholly owned subsidiary Edbancorp, based in Knoxville, and Don Calcote, president of Community Bank of the Cumberlands, Cookeville and Jamestown, jointly announced the completion of the merger with their respective companies on Friday, Nov. 20, 2009. According to company officials, Community Bank of the Cumberlands will continue to operate as a separately chartered community bank serving its customers in Putnam and Fentress counties. The bank plans to retain all of its current employees and will add additional staff to support its increased presence in the community. “We were presented with a very unique opportunity to expand our core group of products and services, which will allow us to better serve our customers,” said Arnold. “Community Bank of the Cumberlands has demonstrated a superior level of service to its customers with local decision makers who share a strong commitment to community involvement. All of us at Edsouth Services are pleased to be forming this partnership with this organization.” “We look forward to offering additional banking services and financial products to our growing customer base, in addition to having enhanced resources available to expand our presence throughout our community,” said Calcote. “We believe that Community Bank of the Cumberlands and Edsouth Services share a similar corporate culture and are confident that our partnership We look forward to offering additional banking services and financial products to our growing customer base, in addition to having enhanced resources available to expand our presence throughout our community. We believe that Community Bank of the Cumberlands and Edsouth Services share a similar corporate culture and are confident that our partnership will benefit all of our customers and local communities. DON CALCOTE President/CEO Community Bank will benefit all of our customers and local communities. This merger will allow us to offer significant financial stability while continuing to provide the personal service our customers have come to know and expect from our community bank.” Arnold stated that Community Bank of the Cumberlands will maintain both of its branches in Cookeville, in addition to its main office in Jamestown, and that the bank will have more than $130 million in assets with approximately 15 percent tier 1 capital, which makes it one of the most well capitalized banks in Tennessee. Edsouth Services has more than $1.4 billion in total assets. For more information about the company, visit www.edsouth.org. Recent wave of graffiti bad for business recruitment BEVERLEY NASH CBJ Staff Graffiti vandals have targeted some local business owners as many as six times, causing them to spend large amounts of money in challenging economic times to have the unsightly mess removed from building facades. “It costs me about $300 to have it removed from my building,” said one owner, who asked not to be identified. “It is just a huge business expense. Eight buildings were painted the last time they painted my building. It’s a rampage.” Several owners have banded together with police to discuss ways to fight the problem. Some owners have considered installing security cameras, although it is an expensive fix and the cameras have to be maintained daily. Most small business owners are just trying to stay afloat and don’t have the time or funds for such additional equipment and work. “Here we are trying to recruit businesses and put our best foot forward and then the people who visit have to see this,” said Cookeville Police Chief Bob Terry of the increased frequency of spray-painted graffiti that is showing up around Cookeville. “I share the frustration of business owners. I see what they see every day, and it is not acceptable.” We will continue to do as much as we can. My best advice to businesses is as soon as it goes up, clean it up. We are open to any suggestions people want to give us. I can tell you this – when we do catch someone, the juvenile courts will take a very dim view of this type of activity. BOB TERRY Cookeville Police Chief “People just need to be more observant and call the police when they see something,” commented another owner. “It took at least eight hours to paint our building. Somebody had to see them do it.” Many people are beginning to wonder if Cookeville is experiencing the gang-related problems that plague larger cities. “The idea that it is gangs doesn’t concern me,” said Terry. “The common thought is that it is just a bunch of ‘wannabes’ that have moved here from other places. I think it is as vulgar and unattractive as anybody else, and it is expensive for owners. But by the time you see the violation the violator is already gone.” According to Terry, the department has sent officers to gang school to prepare for if or when the city begins to experience gang-related activity. The police department also has a special group of officers who work on “task-driven” activity, such as the graffiti crimes. “We have our CNET (Community Nuisance Eradication Team) working on this,” said Terry. “We’ve explored the legality of ways to prevent it. Some stores are setting limits on who can buy spray paint. Legally, they can set any limit they want. “We will continue to do as much as we can. My best advice to businesses is as soon as it goes up, clean it up. We are open to any suggestions people want to give us. “I can tell you this - when we do catch someone, the juvenile courts will take a very dim view of this type of activity.” CORRECTION In last month’s CBJ, we incorrectly reported that La Gardéna resort is in Macon County. The project is in Clay County. Also, owners have invested more than $600 million in the project to date. For more information about La Gardéna, visit www.mylake.com or phone 1-877-mylake-5. The CBJ regrets the errors. 4 December 2009 www.ucbjournal.com Legislative forum identifies jobs as greatest need for U.C. region BEVERLEY NASH CBJ Staff About 80 guests attended a recent legislative forum hosted by the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce that featured state legislators and Jim Brown, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business. “With 17,000 unemployed workers across the 14 counties of the region, we need laws that will solve that problem,” said Dr. Steve Copeland, chairman of the Chamber Transportation and Advocacy Committee. Brown moderated a panel of legislators that included Sen. Charlotte Burks, D-15th District, and Reps. Charlie Curtiss, D-43rd District, Henry Fincher, D-42nd District, and Terri Lynn Weaver, R-40th District. Legislators spoke about key issues affecting businesses in the Upper Cumberland region and across the state, and were eager to listen to what their constituents had to say. “The state is $400 million behind on budget projections,” said Curtiss, “with only $530 million in the ‘rainy day’ fund. The pre-K program is on the line, as well as a number of other programs. Hearing from you all will help us know what to do.” Workers Compensation One of the primary issues that has legislator’s phones “ringing off the hook,” according to Weaver, is a reclassification of the designation of construction contractors that requires sole proprietors and partners with no employees that are paid directly license. The state legislature will return to session after Jan. 1, which is too late to change the bill before the effective date. However, according to Brown and Fincher, the Department of Labor has agreed to a 60-day compliance period that will give the legislature time to resolve the issue. Unemployment Insurance Fund When congress reconvenes, it will again consider problems in the Unemployment Insurance funds, according to Curtiss. Though steps were taken earlier to prop up the fund, the balance has again decreased to $211 million due to the increasing levels of unemployed workers. Small Business Relief Act by the property owner to purchase and maintain worker’s compensation insurance on themselves, as well as employees. The bill was enacted in 2008 and will become effective Dec. 31, 2009. “We are working to get the bill repealed,” said Weaver, whose husband is a builder. “The bill would cost his business approximately $9,000 per year.” The law was enacted as a result of a lawsuit brought by a contractor who opted out of worker’s compensation benefits and was then injured on the job. The Upper Cumberland’s SUPER DEALERSHIP WE ARE YOUR PRE-OWNED TRUCK SUPERCENTER! Come Check out our stock! DODGE CHALLENGER RT! “The bill went too far,” according to Curtiss. “Everyone agrees that we needed to make changes that will help masons and other independent contractors without benefits who are not covered if they are laid off or hurt. Once it is resolved, I believe it will result in lower premiums.” Thousands of people would lose their jobs if the bill becomes effective as it currently is written, according to Brown. The NFIB will probably propose raising the penalties for failing to insure workers, including imposing significantly higher fees and loss of Brown told the group that the NFIB is supporting H.R. 1836, the Small Business Relief Act, which would provide a six-month payroll tax holiday for businesses. He encouraged everyone to contact their congressmen and ask them to vote yes for the bill. It is critical that small business owners keep lawmakers advised of how legislation is affecting their businesses, according to Brown. “Every significant piece of legislation helps some and hurts others,” said Curtiss. “The chambers of commerce and NFIB are key to helping us, as your congress, keep up with bills and know how to help you.” “Our offices have aggressive workers. If there are problems that arise from legislation that is being considered, call and let us know,” said Burks. All Christmas Merchandise on sAle!* *Some exclusions apply, see store for details. 620 S. Jefferson • Cookeville • (931) 526-9797 • 888-526-9797 8 TO CHOOSE FROM! WE ARE TENNESSEE’S USED CAR GIANT! OVER 300 PREOWNED UNITS TO CHOOSE FROM AND 15 UNDER $6,000.00 WE WON’T BE UNDERSOLD! East Tennessee CHRYSLER • DODGE • JEEP www.easttennesseedodge.com Open: Mon-Sat 9am-9pm I-40 EXIT 317 • 2712 N Main St CROSSVILLe (931) 484-9746 toll free 800-952-3392 Sun 12pm-8pm Available in Many Styles such as: • Slate • Clay Tile • Shake • Stone Coated Shingle • Thatch • Standing Seam 103 Randolph Rd. • Crossville (931) 277-3586 •1-800-468-0139 December 2009 5 www.ucbjournal.com CHC Mechanical Contractors celebrates 40 years with open house GREG LAPLANT CBJ Staff Celebrating 40 years in business, CHC Mechanical Contractors hosted employees, vendors, partners, customers and friends for an anniversary open house on Friday, Nov. 13. “Over the past 40 years, we’ve seen a lot of change in Cookeville and the Upper Cumberland; a lot of companies come and a lot of them go,” said Garry Floeter, CHC president and CEO, who assumed on-site management of the company in 1973. “We’ve been very fortunate to have stayed in business this long and to enjoy the success we’ve had. And of course, we wouldn’t even be celebrating this anniversary if it weren’t for the great people we’ve worked with as employees, customers and partners.” Many significant events took place in 1969. It was the year man walked on the moon, while children across the country watched Sesame Street for the first time. The New York Mets miraculously won the World Series, and the company that would later become known as CHC Mechanical Contractors was founded in Cookeville. Cantrell Brown established American Heating Cooling & Supply and focused primarily on air conditioning and heating for residential new construction. The company also performed related sheet metal, plumbing and electrical work. Started in the early 1960s, Brown sold the company to three Nashville investors who reincorporated it as CHC Mechanical Contractors recently hosted an open house to celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary. Originally known as American Heating Cooling & Supply when it was founded in 1969, CHC has developed into a full-service heating and cooling contractor with clients throughout the Southeast. American Heating & Cooling. In 1973, Garry Floeter was hired as American’s general manager and minority share holder. That year, American Heating & Cooling had total sales of less than $100,000. The company’s five employees operated out of a 2,400square-foot building, while its “fleet” consisted of three trucks. The company was renamed Cookeville Heating & Cooling the following year, and in 1986 the service department was formed into a separate company: Cookeville Mechanical Services. Total revenues for that first year were around $500,000. Eventually, due to such strong name recognition throughout the Upper Cumberland, the commercial HVAC and plumbing contracting business was renamed CHC Mechanical Contractors, while the services company became CHC Services. After several decades of steady growth, Floeter (who by 1988 became the principal owner of CHC) sold his interests in the residential services company in 2003 to focus more on CHC Mechanical Contractors. The following year, the commercial services operation was reorganized and spun off into another company, Cookeville Heating & Cooling Services. Today, CHC is an award-winning Discover mechanical contractor that has been nationally recognized for its safety record, which includes accolades from the Association of General Contractors–Tennessee Chapter, Air Conditioning Contractors of America and Associated Builders & Contractors. CHC is also the only mechanical contractor to have twice earned the Tennessee Governor’s Award for Excellence in Workplace Safety, and the company’s record for days worked without a lost-time accident stands at 1,769. The company now employs more than 100 associates, including LEED accredited professionals, engineers, designers, craft workers, service technicians, and other specialists. Some of CHC’s work can be seen throughout Middle Tennessee and the Southeast: the Tennessee Governor’s Residence, Cookeville Regional Medical Center, the McMinnville Civic Center, Columbus County Hospital (Whiteville, N.C.), several projects for the University of the South (Sewanee, Tenn.), and Freedom Plaza in Cookeville, which just recently was given LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Now celebrating its 40th year in service, CHC Mechanical Contractors has been providing mechanical construction solutions throughout the Upper Cumberland Highlands, as well as Middle Tennessee and the Southeast, since 1969. Located at 347 E. Stevens St. in Cookeville, the company can be contacted at 931-528-5514, or online at www. CHCcompanies.com. Is your Health Care Cost Increasing? 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Spring St. Sparta TN 38583 Sparta, TN 38583 (931) 836-2675 (931) 836-2675 (931) 836-8459 fax (931) 836-8459 fax 117 East Bryant St. Smithville TN 37166 Smithville, TN 37166 (615) 597-4375 (615) 597-4375 (615) 597-4390 fax (615) 597-4390 fax SPARTA 287 N Spring St SMITHVILLE 117 E Bryant St JAMESTOWN JAMESTOWN 1007 Old Hwy 127 S 1007 Old Hwy S. Jamestown TN127 38556 Jamestown, TN 37556 (931) 879-5923 (931)879-6637 879-5923 fax (931) (931) 879-6637 fax 6 December 2009 www.ucbjournal.com Jeff Jones’ real estate career – a good fit BEVERLEY NASH CBJ Staff Jeff Jones changed careers – from accounting to real estate – because he couldn’t imagine sitting behind a desk crunching numbers all of his life. He hasn’t looked back since making that decision, and for the past 10 years has been the voice and face of American Way Real Estate Co. in Cookeville. “I started out as an accountant, and my first job was HR (human resource) auditor for the state of Tennessee in Nashville,” said Jones. “Later, I was hired as a staff accountant for Sutton Shirt Company in Sparta. Then I worked for a year as controller for Gill Western Corp. in Cookeville.” After Gill Western moved its manufacturing facility to Longview, Texas, Jones began looking for other options. “Accountants are typically more reserved, and I guess I wanted a more active career,” said Jones. “Growing up, I did a little of everything, including operating heavy equipment for my dad, working on trucks and farming. My dad had always been in business for himself in trucking and excavating, and I wanted the same thing. Real estate was the best opportunity for the least amount of investment to go into business for myself.” Jones enrolled in real estate classes in Nashville in 1989. After working as an affiliate broker with American Way for three years and taking 260 hours of continuing education, Jones obtained his broker’s license. “I drove to Nashville every weekend for two months to get the 130 educational hours needed to sit for the exam,” said Jones. “Then after passing the exam, I had to take an additional 130 hours.” He became a member of the American Way sales force in 1989, and six years later, was offered the job of sales manager for the company. The business of real estate has changed drastically since Jones began, mainly driven by technology and the Internet. “When I started we were still using the Multiple Listing Service books that were updated every two weeks,” said Jones. “In the 1970s and 1980s, we were members of the Homes for Living network and used a black and white magazine that was published three times per year. T H IS E X ECUTI V E P RO F I L E You & Us. Working together to address your financial needs. “Since 1994 American Way has published a four-color process, 58-page catalog with only American Way properties listed. “We think if a person believes in us enough to list their property with our company, then we are not going to dilute it by showing it alongside other properties.” In addition to distributing 120,000 copies of the listing catalog every year, the listings are also syndicated on 32 different Web sites. “Those Web sites receive 485 million unique viewers per year,” added Jones. “The Internet has opened up our world. Before, Cookeville was this little secret. Now, folks are amazed to learn what is available here: Center Hill Lake, the mountains, the symphony orchestra, the drama center and children’s theater group. “What are the chances that you could go from 100,000 people viewing your real estate listings 25 years ago to almost 500 million today? And social networking has opened up even more prospects. I have friends that I don’t know anywhere outside of Facebook who have asked me to list properties for them.” When Herb Baugh and Rex Ennis opened American Way in 1972, they had 3 agents. Today, the company has 68 agents. Jones has been a partner for six years, along with current partners Baugh and Fred Brown. His goal for American Way is to grow the business into a regional real estate company. “Right now, we list properties in Jackson, Putnam and White counties, and around the lake areas in DeKalb and Pickett Photo: Amy Blaylock-New CBJ counties,” said Jones. “I would like to recruit agents to open offices in Cumberland and other counties in the Upper Cumberland.” Jones is president of the Upper Cumberland Association of Realtors, which represents 400 realtors in the Upper Cumberland. He has served on the board or as an officer of UCAR for the past 12 years. He is also Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) certified and holds a National Association of Realtors Council of Residential Specialties (CRS) designation. He is a member of the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce and has served as a Chamber ambassador. He served for two years as team recruiting chairman and one year as event chairman for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. BROUG H T 115 N. Washington Avenue Cookeville, TN 38501 931-528-5426 800-359-2723 ©2007 ©2006 UBS Financial Services Services Inc. All Rights Rights Reserved. Reserved. Member SIPC. TO Y OU B Y UBS December 2009 7 www.ucbjournal.com U.C.’s Citizens Bank celebrates its 80th anniversary BEVERLEY NASH CBJ Staff Citizens Bank, headquartered in Carthage, has seen a lot of changes since it opened three days before the stock market crash of 1929. “That wasn’t planned, and no, we didn’t have anything to do with the crash,” jokes Walter Birdwell Jr., CEO, whose father opened the bank along with a group of other local businessmen. “The stock market crash didn’t really affect Tennessee until the 1930s. Fortunately we didn’t have any of the bad loans that rocked other banks. We didn’t have any loans at all. We had a very small bank with simple operations.” The bank began as Citizens Bank & Trust Co. with $30,000 in capital and 59 stockholders. Today, it is one of the highest capitalized banks in the Upper Cumberland at 15.26 percent Tier 1 capital, according to the most recently published (June 30, 2009) FDIC report. “That is a comfort for us and protection for our customers,” said Birdwell. “It was very slow for a while after we opened. Then we really began to grow in the ‘50s and ‘60s as the economy grew and we seemed to fit [the needs] of our community.” “I came back to the bank in 1954,” continued Birdwell. “After college and the military, I worked as a bank examiner. In 1954 we had $5 million in assets. Now that number is almost $500 million.” In 2008, Citizens recorded the highest earnings percentage of any Citizens new Cookeville - North Washington Branch I came back to the bank in 1954. After college and the military, I worked as a bank examiner. In 1954 we had $5 million in assets. Now that number is almost $500 million. We changed the name to just Citizens Bank in the 1960s and began to expand outside of Smith County. Our first branch outside Smith County was in White County. Walter Birdwell Jr. CEO - Citizens Bank bank its size in Tennessee, and the third highest in the U.S. for comparable-sized banks. “We changed the name to just Citizens Bank in the 1960s and began Tennessee’s safest mechanical contractor What does it mean to work with a safety leader like CHC Mechanical Contractors? Lower costs, for starters, since we can reduce our overhead thanks to a superior safety rating. It also means more projects completed on time with fewer delays due to injuries and lost man-hours. Winner of the 2008 AGC of Tennessee Construction Safety Excellence Award for specialty contractors. When your construction project requires a heating, cooling, refrigeration or plumbing specialist, turn to Tennessee’s award-winning mechanical contractor: CHC Mechanical Contractors. u rs in g ool of N TTU Sch CRMC No rt h Tow e r 347 East Stevens Street Cookeville, TN 38501 (931) 528-5514 www.CHCcompanies.com to expand outside of Smith County. Our first branch outside Smith County was in White County,” said Birdwell. Today the bank operates nine branches staffed by almost 100 employees in three counties: Putnam, Smith and White. Its newest branch is a replacement for an older building at the corner of North Washington Avenue and East 10th Street in Cookeville. “We have 500 stockholders,” said Birdwell, “though most people think we are closely held.” Birdwell has seen and heard many trends in banking and the economy since the early days, but nothing like the changes he has seen in 2009. “The past year has been different from anything I’ve ever experienced,” he said. “I heard a lot about what happened in the ‘30s. Today, business is just very slow in most of our markets. There is not much business expansion at all, though there is more in Putnam County than the other two counties. I really don’t see the turnaround that people are saying is happening.” Having weathered a crisis just three days after opening, Birdwell believes Citizens Bank’s capital strength has the company positioned to weather another 80 years. IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA OR LEAD FOR A BUSINESS NEWS STORY Please Contact Editor/Publisher Jay Albrecht at jay@ucbjournal.com 8 December 2009 FAST FACTS All Rates Not Seasonally Adjusted Sept ’09 / Aug ‘09 / Sept ‘08 Unemployment Rates (% 11.2/11.9/8.2 12.0/11.8/7.0 13.4/13.8/10.4 12.6/13.6/10.3 12.7/14.5/8.2 Capture Photography 11630 Joe Anderson Rd Silver Point, TN 38582 13.0/13.7/9.6 12.0/12.6/8.9 12.8/13.4/7.7 9.7/10.3/6.7 10.2/10.7/6.8 14.9/15.7/7.9 10.8/11.6/7.4 10.8/11.6/8.3 13.5/16.0/8.0 14.2/14.3/7.7 Tennessee: 12.0/11.8/7.0 Source: Tennessee Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development 1805 Tanyard Rd. Lafayette, TN 37083 615-688-6012 NEW BUSINESS LICENSES Ward Construction Manufactured Housing 61 Lambert Lane Westmoreland, TN 37186 615-644-3066 S & B Sales 12490 Galen Rd Lafayette, TN 37083 Macon County (from the office of County Clerk James Howser) Antlers & Feathers LLC 404 College St. Lafayette, TN 37083 615-666-2697 Spears Painting Service 980 Hwy 52 by-pass East Apt 35 Lafayette, TN 37083 615-666-2536 Kemp Brothers Construction 12 Old Kemp Hollow Rd Pleasant Shade, TN 37145 615-735-9624 Red Barn Winery & Vineyard LLC Double T Electrical Services 1626 Purtle Rd Lafayette, TN 37083 615-666-6560 Whimsy Hollow 526 Blue Sky Circle PO Box 237 Lafayette, TN 37083 615-670-1652 Hewitt’s Gunsmithing Inc. 1792 Austin Rd Lafayette, TN 37083 615-666-4584 Fur Real Taxidermy 5166 Woodmore Rd Westmoreland, TN 37186 615-388-6430 Putnam County (from the office of County Clerk Wayne Nabors) Affordable Deer Processing 11108 Nashville Hwy Baxter, TN 38544 American Craftsman 2634 Lake Pointe Dr. Cookeville, TN 38501 Beef O’Brady’s 851 S Willow Ave Cookeville, TN 38501 Book’s Wicked Good 310 Maxwell Dr. Baxter, TN 38544 A Little Bit of Green... Toyota Prius Hybrid 51 CITY 48 HIGHWAY* Toyota Highlander Hybrid 2WD 27 CITY 25 HIGHWAY* Toyota Camry Hybrid 33 CITY 34 HIGHWAY* ...Goes a Long Way. Toyota... moving forward with a Hybrid to fit your lifestyle. *2010 EPA mileage estimates. For comparision use only. Actual mileage may vary. 1540 Interstate Drive • Cookeville, TN 931-526-5600 w w w. c u m b e r l a n d - a u t o . c o m Brian D. Neely @ Name that Barber Shop 1546 E. Spring St. Cookeville, TN 38501 Cigar and Beer Emporium 115 Fast Lane Suite 2 Baxter, TN 38544 www.ucbjournal.com Cookeville, TN 38501 P&H Lawn Mower Parts 125 E Spring St Cookeville, TN 38501 Planned Perfections 130 Phillips Bend Ct Cookeville, TN 38501 R Cubed Environmental Solutions 641 N Dixie Apt 2 Cookeville, TN 38501 Colby Wheeler Photograpy & Gallery 1435 S Jeffereson Suite G Cookeville, TN 38501 Retractables of Upper Cumberland 2311 Reeser Lane Cookeville, TN 38501 Cowans/Homesource 1060B Willow Industrial Ct Cookeville, TN 38501 Ron Middlebrook 1900 Vivian Dr Cookeville, TN 38501 Creative Designs by Ms. Gail 124 E. Broad St. Cookeville, TN 38501 Sani Days Commercial Hygiene Services 1938 Birch Circle Cookeville, TN 38501 Entenmann’s Sales Co. Inc. Wholesale Baked Goods 1065 Willow Industrial Ct STE B Cookeville, TN 38501 First and Cedar 47 N. Cedar Cookeville, TN 38501 Forever Lawn of Tennessee 131B Carr Ave Cookeville, TN 38501 G’s BBQ 148 W Jackson Cookeville, TN 38501 Grade-A-Catering (ORECK) 1400 Salem Rd Cookeville, TN 38501 Grade-A-Catering (TUTCO) 500 Gould Dr Cookeville, TN 38501 Newzoom Inc. DBA Zoomsystems 400 Dubois Rd San Francisco, CA 94107 Our Flying Hands 1589 White Rd Southern Kentucky Contractors Inc. 578 Kelly Rd Bowling Green, KY 42101 White County (from the office of County Clerk Connie Jolley) All Western Tack Supply Tennessee 273 W. Bockman Way Sparta, TN 38583 Advanced Asphalt Products LLC 2144 Roberts Matthews Hwy Sparta, TN 38583 Decks for Less 110 N Village St Sparta, TN 38583 Finish Line Pizza 24 E Maple St Sparta, TN 38583 Professions Cut & Color 495 Duck Pond Sparta, TN 38583 Dalton Flooring Center 3703 Roberts Matthews Hwy Sparta, TN 38583 Pup in a Tub 482 Fairview Circle Sparta, TN 38583 Sporty Cuts 728 S Jefferson Unit 15 Cookeville, TN 38501 Country Rose Shop 255 W. Bockman Way Sparta, TN 38583 Sunny Smiles Childcare 1410 Elmore Town Rd Baxter, TN 38544 B-B Recovery 237 Earls Lane Doyle, TN 38559 Two Nineteen Design Associates 17 S Jefferson Ave Cookeville, TN 38501 The Game Room 311 Spring St Sparta, TN 38583 Waffle House #1083 1121 S Jefferson Ave Cookeville, TN 38501 Patterson and Son 7549 Franks Ferry Rd Sparta, TN 38583 Waffle House #931 1079 S Willow Ave Cookeville, TN 38501 Renee Bouldin Photography 592 Turntable Rd Sparta, TN 38583 Witches Wart Pumpkins 4811 Tom Fall Rd Baxter, TN 38544 K&M Sales 170 Mayberry St Sparta, TN 38583 December 2009 9 www.ucbjournal.com Mid. Tenn. Federal Credit Union celebrates 40 years in Cookeville BEVERLEY NASH CBJ Staff “We have traditional banking services, including savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts and IRAs. We provide inhouse and secondary market mortgages, as well as home equity loans. About the only thing we don’t have is safety deposit boxes, and that is because of a lack of space.” Membership in the credit union is obtained by depositing $25 in a savings account. The NCUA provides insurance coverage of at least $250,000 on all savings accounts. MTFCU now has about 3,500 members, and they are capitalized at 14.5 percent. The company has grown from its meager beginnings to 10 full-time and four part-time employees. Its Oak Street branch is scheduled to open Nov_09_Sparklers_CBJ.pdf 1 11/20/09 before the end of the year. Middle Tennessee Federal Credit Union is celebrating 40 years in business and the opening of a new branch at 112 Oak St. in Cookeville. “When Bob Stinnett and a group of nine other Fleetguard employees deposited $5 each into a cigar box in 1969, little did they know it would grow into an $18 million credit Bob Stinnett union,” said Ed Gabel, CEO/manager of Middle Tennessee Federal Credit Union. Stinnett had moved to Cookeville from Ohio to take a job as a manager at Fleetguard. He had been a member When Bob Stinnett and a group of nine other Fleetguard employees deposited $5 each into a cigar box in 1969, little did they know it would grow into an $18 million credit union. The credit union was started with a volunteer board of directors.Today we have a seven-member board with Del Heffelfinger as the current chairman. For the first few years Bob (Stinnett) kept the money in a cigar box on his desk. ED GABEL CEO - MTFCU 4:08 PM Add an extra special touch to your holidays with Stonehaus Winery’s sparkling wines. Make spirits bright and compliment your holiday meals with our Sparkling Muscadine or Seyval. Celebrate friends and family with the sweet flavors of Tickled Pink or “That’s Just Peachy!” Whatever the occasion, Stonehaus Winery will surely help make this the most wonderful time of the year! The new MTFCU building at 112 North Oak in Cookeville Present this coupon and save... 10 % OFF any order over $100 15 % OFF any order over $250 20 % OFF any order over $500 Tennessee Wines • Sparkling Wines Gourmet Gift Baskets and Gift Packs Homemade Cream & Butter Fudge Fine Nuts and Confections Offer expires January 1, 2010. Discount cannot be combined with any other offer. Stonehaus Winery, Inc. • 2444 Genesis Rd #103 • Crossville, TN 38571 • (931) 484-WINE (9463) C M of a credit union at the company where he had worked in Ohio, and he convinced his co-workers to join with him to open the Fleetguard Federal Credit Union. The National Credit Union Association granted a charter for the new financial services company in October 1969 for employees of the manufacturing company and their families. “The credit union was started with a volunteer board of directors,” said Gabel. “Today we have a sevenmember board with Del Heffelfinger as the current chairman. “For the first few years Bob (Stinnett) kept the money in a cigar box on his desk,” said Gabel. The same cigar box is now prominently displayed in the lobby of the main office at One Eleven Place in Cookeville. “Eventually, we were able to hire a part-time employee, then membership was opened to other groups, including employees of the city of Cookeville, Putnam County, Cookeville Regional Medical Center and others,” said Gable. “In 2006, FCU changed its name to Middle Tennessee Federal Credit Union and began offering memberships to individuals and families of anyone who worked, worshipped, resided or attended school in Putnam County. Y CM MY CY CMY K Stonehaus Winery’s New Sparkling Seyval Blanc www.stonehauswinery.com • Crossville, TN Contact us today! (931) 484 -9463 10 December 2009 www.ucbjournal.com m e d i c a l p r o f i l e Radiology team changing the face of diagnostic imaging at The Outpatient Imaging Center BEVERLEY NASH Staff Writer A team of board certified radiology professionals, along with dedicated management and staff, is changing the face of diagnostic imaging at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. The Outpatient Imaging Center opened in 2007, and is the region’s first all-digital, full-service imaging facility. It is located at 251 W. Third St., just one block from the hospital. The OIC provides both diagnostic testing in The Women’s Center and other imaging services on an outpatient basis. “We have a very warm, open environment. There is a fireplace and comfortable sofas and chairs,” said Hugh Bennett, manager of the OIC. “We want to provide more timely services in comfortable surroundings. Receiving diagnostic testing can be a little frightening. We want to make it less so. One of our staff is with the patient every step of the way.” “In The Women’s Center, a nurse navigator is there to answer any questions women may have about biopsies, mammograms or any testing they are receiving,” said Dr. Josue Montanez, radiologist. “The nurse navigator is very knowledgeable and helps guide women through the process.” “Our goal is to balance clinical expertise with comfort,” said Michelle Zellner, director of the hospital’s Imaging Center, which includes all imaging services for Cookeville Regional. “There are really three goals,” said Dr. Spencer Madell, radiologist. “Timeliness of service, clinical expertise and personal attention.” Cookeville Regional has four board certified radiologists with a combined 80plus years of experience, which is somewhat unique for a community hospital of its size. T H I S M E D I C A L In addition to Drs. Madell and Montanez, Drs. Ginny Charnock and Clifford Game are members of the imaging services team comprising Cumberland Imaging Associates. “Before I came to Cookeville, I worked for an 800-bed hospital with a 30-person group of radiologists that provided services for several hospital divisions. The equipment that we have here at Cookeville Regional is comparable to what was available there,” said Montanez. “And the number of medical specialties available on staff here is also Photo: Amy Blaylock-New CBJ Photo: Amy Blaylock-New CBJ comparable. It is really very remarkable for a community-based hospital. “Also, the fact that the hospital is cityowned and all of the money is reinvested in the community is a plus and means that the people making decisions have the best interests of the community in mind.” “The hospital’s administration really understands what we need to provide quality care for patients,” said Madell. “We have the only high-field, high-resolution open MRI in the region, and one of the few P R O F I L E B R O U G H T CRMC is Changing the Experience of Prostate Surgery crmchealth.org | (931) 646-2629 64-slice CT scanners, which means a shorter testing time for patients and more detailed results. We are also able to offer coronary artery CT. Dr. Ginny Charnock is one of only 100 physicians in the United States certified in coronary artery CT.” For the past two years, The Women’s Center at Cookeville Regional has received a Komen Foundation grant that has allowed it to provide free mammography services every six weeks for area residents who could not otherwise afford mammograms. More than 500 patients across the Upper Cumberland have benefited from this program. Madell earned his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, N.Y., and completed his residency training in diagnostic radiology at New England Medical Center in Boston, Mass., where he was chief resident. He is board certified in radiology. Charnock earned a medical degree and completed a residency program at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, N.C. She also completed a fellowship in MR/CT at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. She is board certified in radiology and in cardiovascular computed tomography. Montanez received his medical training at the University of Texas School of Medicine in San Antonio, and completed a residency program in diagnostic radiology at the University Hospitals of Cleveland in Ohio, where he also served as chief resident. He is board certified in radiology. Game earned his medical degree from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine in Mobile, Ala., and completed his residency in diagnostic radiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is board certified in radiology. T O Y O U B Y C R M C With the daVinci robotic surgical system, patients will benefit from: • Shorter hospital stays • Smaller, barely noticeable scars • The most advanced technology available, right here in the Upper Cumberland December 2009 11 www.ucbjournal.com Overton Chamber committed to enhancing business growth Rita Reagan Director, Marketing & Tourism Livingston-Overton County Chamber Overton County is more than just a beautiful place – it is business, tourism, education and fun-filled events. Despite a troubled economy nationwide, we are in greater demand than ever before. The Livingston-Overton County Chamber of Commerce is made up of committed leaders who are ready to face the challenges ahead. This year the Chamber has helped bring many diverse businesses to our area. We understand the need to attract businesses that are going “green.” Tanimura and Antle, a hydroponic lettuce plant, recently located to our area. Cooper Recycling LLC is another green business that expanded this year on Highway 111. They are Overton County’s two largest green industries, with hopefully more to follow. The Chamber has also attracted numerous restaurants, medical facilities and retail establishments this year. Our downtown square is a vibrant oasis of businesses with shopping, dining and entertainment. The sales tax collections around the square increased 25 percent this past year. This is attributed not only to new businesses and maintaining a high occupancy rate, but also to people shopping more at home. The Chamber’s Downtown Revitalization Committee is dedicated to developing a Main Street approach for our town square. This approach emphasizes the balanced use of four critical elements: 1) organization of downtown businesses and interests; 2) design that enhances visual qualities and historic architecture; 3) promotion and marketing; and 4) economic restructuring and business recruitment. We have seen that the entire community, not just the downtown, benefits from a healthy downtown area. Our educational system in Overton County is another contributing factor to our successful economic growth. While Overton County is not immune to the high unemployment rates throughout the Upper Cumberland, it offers two great opportunities for advancement. Volunteer State Community College and the Tennessee Technology Center at Livingston both have experienced tremendous growth in the past year, especially from an influx of unemployed workers who are taking advantage of this opportunity to further their education. This is why the Chamber feels that even during bad economic times, you must take advantage of what is before you, and be ready when the economy turns around. Leadership skills are also very important to us, as evident by the Adult and Youth Leadership programs both filling to capacity each year. Tourism has also been widely utilized as an economic development tool because of its potential to generate income from outside the community. As director of marketing and tourism, I am committed to attracting tourists to our area through marketing our county, promoting our events, and capitalizing on our scenic attractions. According to the latest figures, tourists generated $6.55 million in direct tourist spending in Overton County. Dale Hollow Lake and Standing Stone State Park offer many activities for tourists and locals alike. Many other events transpire during the year throughout the county, including the annual Hog-Eye Fest in June, the Bluegrass Festival in July, our Overton County Fair in July, and the National Rolley Hole Festival in September. December is always a special time of year with all the Christmas and holiday events. Christmas in the Country, Elves’ Holiday Workshop, and the annual Christmas Parade are just some of the events that make Overton County a great place to call home for the holidays. The Livingston-Overton County Chamber of Commerce is committed to getting the message out there of who we are, what we are, and where we are to the people around the world. Our slogan is “Overton County, where you can spend a day... or a lifetime.” For more information about our area or events, please contact me at the Chamber at 1-800-876-7393, chamber@twlakes.net or visit our Web site at www.overtonco.com For over 30 years... Gernt Insurance has been helping families and businesses safeguard their success in the Upper Cumberland by providing protection for their lives and property. Let our professional agents come up with a solution for your family or business. Our representation of quality companies, such as State Auto Insurance (A+ AMBest rated since 1954), allows our clients to have enhanced protection while achieving premium Labor, Employment & Commercial Law 1420 Neal Street | Suite 201 | PO Box 655 Cookeville, TN 38503 | 931-372-9123 tel 931-372-9181 fax www.wimberlylawson.com Cookeville Knoxville Nashville Morristown savings. Home • Auto • Business • Health • Life 171 Lantana Rd. • Crossville, TN (931) 484-3448 800-810-0994 www.gerntinsurance.com Art E. Gernt, II - Broker/Agent 12 December 2009 www.ucbjournal.com Cookeville’s Freedom Plaza takes the environmental gold for J&S Construction BEVERLEY NASH CBJ Staff Photo:Jesse Kaufman CBJ Freedom Plaza has earned the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Gold Certification for builder and owner J&S Construction Company. The company’s 28,000-square-foot headquarters at 1843 Foreman Drive just off South Willow Avenue features environmentally friendly features that reduced average energy costs last winter to less than $95 per month. This amount is significantly less than the cost to operate buildings of comparable size and structure. “We are proud to have earned LEED Gold Certification for the first privately owned building in the region,” said Johnny Stites, vice chairman and CEO of J&S Construction. “By building our headquarters using green building standards, we are confirming to our clients that environmentally friendly construction is a good value. When you compare the cost, businesses spend 71 percent to operate and maintain their building and only 11 percent in construction costs. It makes good sense to build green.” The LEED Gold designation certifies that a building has met a number of criteria based on a scale that rates energy efficient design and build components in five categories: sustainable site; water quality and conservation; energy and atmosphere; materials and resources; and indoor environmental quality. Priority credits are awarded to projects that implement green building strategies for important environmental issues facing the region where they are built. Freedom Plaza’s green features include spray foam insulation, a water-source heat pump, energyefficient lighting and many other state-of-the-art design/build components. The USGBC developing the LEED For over 33 years, APPi has committed to producing the highest quality products and services possible. We do this by continuously investing in our equipment, our professional staff and you, our customers. With cutting-edge technology, equipment, traditional printing values, and the demonstrated ability to develop new and customized solutions and ideas, we strive to meet and exceed your expectations. We believe we look good when you look good. 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J&S Construction Company is a locally owned, full-service construction company with more than 50 years’ experience building projects, relationships and trust. It has successfully completed more than 5,000 unique projects for a variety of clients, more than 70 percent for repeat customers. J&S employs 115 craftsmen and trade professionals, including a number of nationally recognized and awardwinning architects and engineers, including LEED AP project managers. Tenn. October unemployment rate unchanged NASHVILLE – Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley announced that Tennessee’s unemployment rate for October was unchanged from the September rate. “While the national unemployment rate increased to 10.2 percent, the state’s rate held steady at 10.5 percent for the second consecutive month,” said Neeley. “This continues a pattern of stabilization in most sectors of Tennessee’s economy.” The October rate a year ago was 6.9 percent. The national rate for October 2009 was 10.2 percent, up from the September rate of 9.8 percent. According to the state’s Business Survey, 5,300 job gains occurred primarily in state/local government educational services; 5,000 in administrative, support and waste services; and 1,800 in private educational services. Major employment decreases occurred in leisure and hospitality, which was down by 6,900; mining and construction, declined by 2,600; and manufacturing, which decreased by 1,400 jobs. Year-over-year increases occurred in health care and social assistance, up by 6,400; local government, increased 3,300; and federal government, which gained 2,000. Manufacturing was down 37,100; mining and construction lost 29,500; and trade, transportation and utilities declined by 28,700. December 2009 13 www.ucbjournal.com Accountants help U.C. businesses stay afloat in tough economy BEVERLEY NASH CBJ Staff Accounting firms in the Upper Cumberland are on the front lines of the economic changes, helping their clients stay afloat in a business environment of weakening manufacturing production and the scarcity of bank lending. “Our area has been hit hard because many companies are automotive supply chain manufacturers that have experienced a trickle-down effect due to decline in auto sales and bankruptcies at General Motors and Chrysler,” said Gentry Underhill, senior partner at Totherow, Haile and Welch in McMinnville. A tightening in bank lending activity has caused a fear factor that businesses have not experienced during the past boom years, according to area accountants. “Everybody is afraid of the banking environment,” said Gary McNabb, CPA with Hugh Bailey & Associates. “Companies used to be able to borrow 90 percent of the cost to build a manufacturing facility. Now, business has declined such that they need banks that will look past the numbers and have confidence in the owners.” The tighter lending environment has dramatically affected both the commercial and residential construction sectors. “The construction industry has been killed, everything from site preparation to developers,” said Tom Janney, owner of Janney & Associates in Livingston and Smithville. “Some companies are getting out of the business entirely, although Middle Tennessee hasn’t been hurt as much by the downturn as some other areas of the country. Businesses are watching every penny and cutting back on payroll.” “The downturn in the housing market has also dried up the nursery industry,” said Underhill. “There is no need for landscaping and people aren’t spending money for beautification projects. We have seen a 50 to 60 percent reduction in payrolls over the past two years.” Even those companies that have not been hardest hit are somewhat reluctant to be as aggressive with business decisions as they once might have been. “Companies aren’t expanding like they were previously,” said Underhill. “They are holding on to their money, even if they could expand. They are concerned with the huge amounts of money the government is spending and what it is going to take to shrink the government deficit. “We’ve provided a lot of consolidation work for companies that are divesting of non-core products and business to become leaner,” Underhill added. “Also, during the past 12 months we have seen companies turn to cost accounting. Price quotes are much tighter. When people felt they were prosperous, they didn’t look so much at pricing profitability. Now instead of looking at how they can reduce taxes, companies are looking for ways to cut costs.” As 2009 comes to a close, there are some things businesses will want to do to help ease the burden and go into the New Year with a better outlook. “Anybody in business today needs to take a good, hard look at what profits can be accelerated if they have losses,” continued Janney. “And, if they had a decent year, look at what income can be deferred. Maybe buy equipment or postpone buying depending on your situation. “Many contractors are changing their business to a corporate structure to lessen the effect of changes in the Worker’s Compensation Law that are due to go into effect Dec. 29. Corporations are exempt under the new law. Accountants have been on the front end of the wave to spread the word about the changes.” “It is legitimizing insurance for the construction industry, but it is raising costs, especially for small contractors,” said McNabb. “Also, the high government spending is expected to increase taxes for small businesses. Everybody agrees we need changes in health care, but not a government-run system. We haven’t seen a lot of bankruptcies among our clients yet, but I am afraid we will. The trend is for businesses to cut costs and hang on.” “I believe the economy may have bottomed out,” said Underhill. “But I also believe we will walk on the bottom longer than we want to be there.” 14 December 2009 www.ucbjournal.com Changes in technology and federal laws affect the business of accounting BEVERLEY NASH CBJ Staff The economy may be heavy on the minds of accountants as they navigate difficult waters for clients, but it is not the only factor affecting their business. “The economy is causing people to get better at what they do,” said Gary McNabb, CPA with Hugh Bailey & Associates. “Whether they are a manufacturer or salesman, they are having to become more efficient.” Along with their clients, accounting firms have had to improve the way they do business. “If you are not up on technology, you will fall behind, because more and more customers want to do business at their convenience, especially those 40 years of age and younger,” said Tom Janney, owner of Janney & Associates in Livingston and Smithville. “You need T-1 lines for faster Internet speed and greater security. My entire office has gone paperless. “We have an integrated platform for contract and practice management, and for research. And we are going to a secure client portal for release of information to clients via the Internet.” “Advances in technology have really been an asset for what we do,” said Gentry Underhill, senior partner with Totherow, Haile and Welch of McMinnville. “Every part of our work is linked. We can research the tax code online and update spreadsheets in a couple of hours where it used to take us weeks to update manually with 11column ledger pads.” While technology upgrades have helped accountants improve business efficiencies, other factors have reduced the type of services some companies are able to offer clients. “After Enron, our company stopped doing audits because of the changes in federal regulations that prohibited accounting firms from providing both audit and consulting work for the same client,” said Janney. “It affected the viability of our business, since often auditing services can be a loss leader. So it required us to raise fees to cover the cost of our consulting services.” “Because of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act changes that came after Enron and MCI, we have also seen a movement more toward risk-based audits rather than straight financial statement reviews,” said Underhill. “Audits are more customized to the specific work and assets of individual companies. And there will likely be more changes when the dust settles.” n Highlands industrial park work to begin soon; awaiting road plans BEVERLEY NASH CBJ Staff Infrastructure work will soon be underway on the proposed Highlands Regional Business Park, according to Cookeville City Manager Jim Shipley. The 290-acre development is located off Interstate 40 between mile markers The park previously received approval from the state of Tennessee as a “dual-purpose” park, which certified it for business and industry use. It is the first such approval in Tennessee history. “Every site selector consultant tells us that having land alone is not enough in this day and age. The 280 and 286 in Cookeville. “We are ready to start on the infrastructure and road work and are just waiting for the final road plans from Barge Waggoner,” said Shipley. “As soon as we receive the plans, work will begin.” Nashville-based engineering firm Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon Inc. is developing the plans. Shipley stated that there are still right-of-way issues to resolve on Lee Seminary Road, but nothing is holding up start of development inside the park. land must be ‘shovel-ready’ with the infrastructure in place, or at the bare minimum, a timeline of when the infrastructure will be available,” said George Halford, president/CEO of the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce. “We are excited about the next phase in the infrastructure development of the Highlands Regional Business Park. It is key to effective marketing of the park and of our community. Without it we will be passed over for new industry opportunities.” n Cookeville Regional Medical Center Tower Addition The Electrical Contractor of Choice for Companies of the Upper Cumberland since 1967 • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL • THERMAL GRAPHIC IMAGING • STATE LICENSED 1560 Brown Ave. • Cookeville (931) 526-7216 www.lakelande.com COME JOIN US AT OUR NEW LOCATION at 112 North Oak (2 blocks south of CRMC) WE HAVE “FREE” CHECKING, DEBIT CARD, INTERNET BANKING, ATMs, to name just a few. ALSO GREAT RATES ON SAVINGS AND LOANS! CHECK US OUT AT: www.midtenfcu.com OR CALL US AT: 931.528.9400 Savings are federally insured to at least $250,000 by NCUA Jackson Plaza 377-7C West Jackson Cookeville, TN 38501 • 931-526-6576 December 2009 15 www.ucbjournal.com BIZBUZZ From page 1 Each year, the magazine solicits input from thousands of shippers across North America, asking them to evaluate their core transportation providers’ performance in key areas vital to logistics excellence. The Quest for Quality awards stem from the industry’s largest customer satisfaction study; this year’s awards are based on 6,485 survey responses. According to survey results, shippers gave Averitt’s performance high marks, positioning the carrier to receive the 2009 Quest for Quality award in three different categories: South/South Central Regional Less-than-Truckload, Expedited and 3PL. In fact, no other privately held company earned more awards than Averitt in 2009. And only FedEx and UPS earned recognition in more categories than Averitt. Each Quest for Quality award category is based on certain criteria that are critical to the industry. For example, less-thantruckload or time-critical service providers are rated in on-time pick up and delivery reliability, capability to provide instant shipment updates, value, customer service and equipment and operations. Meanwhile, 3PL customers – those shippers who outsource the management of their transportation needs to a thirdparty logistics service – rank providers on criteria that are unique to that market segment: carrier selection/negotiation, order fulfillment, transportation/distribution, inventory management and logistics information systems. “It is a great honor to be recognized by our customers as a champion of quality within the industry,” said Gary Sasser, president/CEO of Averitt “This marks the 25th year the Averitt team has earned the Quest for Quality distinction, and we believe it demonstrates our desire to continuously provide the best service available anywhere.” Logistics Management has presented its Quest for Quality awards for 26 years. No other less-than-truckload carrier in the South has earned more Quest for Quality awards than Averitt. Established in 1971, Averitt Express is a leading provider of freight transportation and supply chain management with international reach to more than 100 countries. The company specializes in delivering customized solutions with a single source of accountability for service offerings that include less-than-truckload, truckload, expedited, importing/exporting and supply chain management. Backed by successful execution for hundreds of customers, Averitt’s supply chain management capabilities include dedicated fleet operations, warehousing services and transportation management. For more information, call 1-800-AVERITT (283-7488) or visit www.averittexpress.com. Tennessee receives $12 million to retrain and assist workers affected by foreign trade NASHVILLE – Tennessee Labor Commissioner Jim Neeley has announced receipt of $12 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Labor to enhance the state’s Trade Adjustment Assistance program. “These federal funds will provide career retraining and other services and assistance to Tennessee workers to help ensure they have the skills they need to compete for jobs demanding higher skills,” said Gov. Phil Bredesen. “This is a big boost for the program and Tennesseans that it serves.” TAA is a federally funded program that provides assistance to workers that have been affected by job loss or had their hours and wages cut due to increased imports or a shift in production to a foreign country. Workers covered under the petition may access a variety of services that include Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! F R O M Y O U R F R I E N D S AT O N E H O U R M A R T I N I Z I N G • Drycleaning • Alterations • Shirt Laundry • Formal Wear • Draperies • Household Items • Leather/Suede • Fur • Tuxedo Rentals M-F 6:30 - 6 pm Sat. 8-4 377 Foutch Dr. (931) 526-4687 55 N. Walnut (931) 526-5227 re-employment, retraining, job search allowances, relocation allowances and a health care tax credit. “I’m very pleased with the increased level of funding we’ve received for this program, which will help level the playing field for those workers affected by increased imports or a shift in production to a foreign country,” said Neeley. “The goal of the Trade Act program is to help workers return to suitable employment as quickly as possible and I applaud the U.S. Department of Labor for providing more resources to help Tennesseans reach that goal.” Tennessee’s program ranks third in the nation in the amount of trade petitions filed. According to a business survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Labor, employment in manufacturing has declined more than 39,000 since September 2008. Prior to this announcement, Tennessee had received $16.5 million in TAA assistance. In the past year, more than 1,500 Tennesseans have participated in TAA job training with an 88 percent completion rate. TAA is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor but is administered by state governments and state agencies. A petition for TAA funds may be filed by a group of three or more workers, their union or their designated representative. For more information, contact the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, or visit www.tn.gov/labor-wfd. Tennessee ranked among top five states for best business climate seven of last 10 years NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The editors of Site Selection magazine, one of the nation’s premier economic development publications, have ranked Tennessee among the five best states in the U.S. for best business climate. The announcement marks the seventh time in the past decade Tennessee has been listed among the top 10 states. The closely watched annual rankings appear in the November 2009 Site Selection magazine’s print and online editions at www. siteselection.com. “I am pleased Tennessee is once again listed among the top five business climates in the country. This is a very competitive ranking by a very well-respected publication,” said Matt Kisber, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. “We’ve worked hard to maintain our reputation as a state that is business-friendly by viewing job creation as a partnership between the state and local communities and designing projects according to a prospective company’s individual needs.” The rankings are determined by the number of new and expanded business facility projects, as well as results from a survey of corporate site selectors who are asked to rank factors most important to them when determining a location. Some of those factors included transportation infrastructure, existing work force skills, and state and local taxes. Tennessee also ranked fifth in the site selector executive survey. “It is gratifying that publications like Site Selection are recognizing Gov. Bredesen’s Jobs Cabinet approach to economic development and the more than 170,000 new jobs and $27 billion in new capital that have resulted from it,” said Kisber. The Site Selection accolade is one of many the state has collected this year. Southern Business & Development magazine named Tennessee a co-state of the year. Bredesen, Kisber and Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr were also named to the publication’s 2009 list of 10 People Who Made a Difference. Tennessee also won Area Development magazine’s prestigious annual Gold Shovel Award, which is presented to the state that achieves the most success in terms of job creation and economic impact. See BIZBUZZ pg.16 16 December 2009 www.ucbjournal.com BIZBUZZ From page 15 Guarantee your copy delivered to your Home or Business for only $25 a year! CALL AND PAY BY CONVENIENCE OF YOUR CREDIT CARD OVER THE PHONE... (931) 528-8852 or Toll Free: 800-499-2332 The CBJ is launching a series of articles celebrating the entrepreneurial spirit of the Upper Cumberland. If your business or industry is an example, please Email jay@ucbjournal.com for a questionnaire and details. Reminder: The CBJ is always seeking news. You are urged to share your company’s news with the U.C. Call (931) 528-8852 The TDECD mission is to create higher-skilled, better-paying jobs for all Tennesseans. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. TDECD also works with rural and urban Tennessee communities to achieve excellence in community development by emphasizing foundational steps and targeting community strengths to improve quality of life and grow jobs. To find out more, go to www.tn.gov/ ecd. Tennessee Tech receives $125,000 Department of Energy technical support grant COOKEVILLE –Tennessee Tech University has been awarded $125,000 by the U.S. Department of Energy to provide technical support and help local industries reduce overhead costs. Tennessee Tech’s 3-Star Industrial Assessment Center conducts studies for industries that identify methods to increase energy efficiency and reduce waste production. The grant will help Tech continue to provide the studies at no cost to companies and reduce internal costs. Tech will use the grant to provide enhanced industrial facility energy assessments for both the Kellogg’s and SFI of Tennessee facilities in Memphis. Engineering and technology students under the direction of faculty from Tech, East Tennessee State University, and the University of Memphis will perform the study. The energy grant will also enable the IAC at Tech to build on existing relationships with its regional distributors to identify small to medium plants that can benefit from industrial energy assessments. “This grant is significant because it will allow us to work on implementing a plan to reduce energy costs,” said Ken Currie, director of the Center for Manufacturing Research at Tennessee Tech. “It will give the students a chance to gain engineering experience, and provide an opportunity for them to evaluate how a plant’s energy and waste issues are managed and how they can lower energy cost and waste production.” Tradebank expanding into Cookeville Representatives of Tradebank of Knoxville attended November’s Business After Hours event at the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce to announce their expansion into the Cookeville market. The company also operates in the Crossville area. According to Upper Cumberland General Manager Jeff Jones, the Cookeville market was previously owned by Tradebank of Nashville, however the division has been restructured to combine Cookeville with the Crossville market region. Both the Knoxville and the Nashville franchise are part of Tradebank International, one of the world’s largest barter exchanges with offices in more than 70 countries across the U.S., Canada and East Central Europe. Transactions between trading partners are converted into “trade dollars” with balances maintained by the company on each partner’s trade account. Tradebank International began operations in 1987 and has completed more than $2 million in barter transactions worldwide between trading partners that exchange goods and services. The company has approximately 70 trading partners across the Upper Cumberland that barter a broad spectrum of goods and services, including flooring, plumbing, medical services, jewelry, Web design, advertising, lodging and cosmetics. Tradebank of Knoxville opened in 1995 and has completed more than $7 million in trades this year. The Knoxville franchise is owned by Marc Davis, and has four fulltime and three part-time brokers. For more information, visit www.tradebank.com or phone 865-531-1822. Averitt wins Clean Diesel Leadership Award COOKEVILLE – Averitt Express was recently received a Clean Diesel Leadership Award from the Tennessee Trucking Association (TTA) at an awards ceremony held in Destin, Fla. According to the TTA, the award, which was presented this year for the first time, is designed to recognize organizations within the transportation industry that have made significant, measurable improvements in air quality through the development and/or implementation of clean diesel actions. These actions range from educating drivers on fuel efficiency to equipping tractors with auxiliary power units to using alternative fuels. To be eligible for the award, a transportation provider must demonstrate environmental leadership and meet such criteria as directly or indirectly reducing air pollution; developing a replicable model with measurable, sustainable outcomes that other companies can follow; and employ technology aimed at reducing diesel engine emissions. Award entries are judged by members of the Southeast Diesel Collaborative Leadership Group, the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation and the Tennessee Department of Transportation. “We’re honored to be recognized for our environmental initiatives, particularly our commitment to improving the quality of the air,” said Gary Sasser, president/CEO of Averitt. “The Averitt team understands the importance of finding better, more environmentally friendly ways to go about our business every day.” ellieodomphoto.com • ellieodom@hotmail.com 931-544-5996 848 North Jefferson Ave. • Cookeville, TN 38501 Receive a FREE reusuable market tote with any $50 vera bradley purchase with this ad! Southern Traditions 412 east spring street - cookeville (across from justice center) 526-5751 December 2009 17 www.ucbjournal.com #1 Leader in the Employee Assessment Industry Seeks Talented Executives and Professionals to Become Strategic Business Partners An economic recession has always meant two things: the competition for jobs becomes fierce and the need for businesses to actively manage their own survival becomes imperative. While survival can translate into slower, smarter growth, it can also mean cost cutting and downsizing, or at the very least, rightsizing. Companies that develop products and provide services designed to assist employers as they navigate such trying times, and especially those that do it very well, often will thrive...companies like Integrated Management Resources Inc., an affiliate of Profiles International Inc., owned by Cookeville Chamber member Greg Maciolek. I live wherever I want. My job is completely flexible. Ninety percent of all my business is done online. There is a quality to my life that I never thought possible, and I feel really good about the fact that I’m providing businesses with something they really want and need to be successful. I’d like to make sure other people just like me get the same shot that I did. GREG MACIOLEK Integrated Management Building a Business Greg Maciolek is founder and CEO of Integrated Management Resources Inc. After 26 years of distinguished service as a commander and fighter pilot, Greg retired from the Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force. Having served in one of the greatest bureaucracies, holding senior-level positions for the last 14 years of his career, Maciolek was looking for something to call his own. He became affiliated with Profiles International Inc. more than a decade ago. A Growing Industry The success of Profiles International Inc. and Integrated Management Resources Inc. is due in large part to its unrivaled, comprehensive portfolio of computer-based employee assessment, retention and management tools. Developed in close consult with occupational psychologists, human resource executives and a myriad of other invaluable professionals, the company’s products are customized to meet the needs of any employer, big or small and of any kind. In addition, programs can be individually tailored and updated as needed to achieve any organization’s most pressing objectives and realize its ultimate, long-terms goals. Today, Maciolek sees demand for the company’s products and services growing in a number of key industries, including small banks Y E A R E N D Ends 1/04/2010 and credit unions, government agencies, health care and even small non-profits. Employers must be very methodical and strategic when it comes to hiring, managing and retaining their work force. “Our products are designed to help them make the smartest decisions they can under the circumstances, all of which adds up to incredible savings in terms of both time and money,” says Maciolek. The Right Candidate According to Maciolek, the best candidate to become one of the company’s strategic business partners doesn’t need any past sales experience. “I had no sales background whatsoever. Truly, it’s not necessary,” he says. “This is relationship selling. The products are so well designed that there is no ‘hard sell’ here.” According to Maciolek, annual sales into six figures is not at all unlikely after the initial start-up phase of 18 months or so. That’s a pretty solid return on an initial investment of just $12,000. Start-up fees include the necessary operating systems, everything needed to set up 25 new clients right away, inventory worth upwards of $35,000, and unlimited and ongoing training, support and marketing assistance. The only additional cost a partner incurs is an annual Internet site hosting fee of $1,200. But perhaps the most rewarding aspect of being a Profiles International strategic business partner can’t really be quantified at all – it’s priceless. “I live wherever I want. My job is completely flexible. Ninety percent of all my business is done online,” Maciolek says. “There is a quality to my life that I never thought possible, and I feel really good about the fact that I’m providing businesses with something they really want and need to be successful. I’d like to make sure other people just like me get the same shot that I did.” If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, contact Greg Maciolek at 865-675-5901 or by email at greg.maciolek@imrtn.com. n Paid advertisement E V E N T 0%FOR72MONTHS ON EVERY NEW 2009 CHEVROLET! Plus! TRAVERSE TAHOE SUBURBAN EQUINOX MALIBU IMPALA CORVETTE COBALT HHR SILVERADO AVALANCHE FREE INTEREST FOR 6 YEARS! 2009 Chevy Silverado FREE LIFETIME OIL CHANGE! #1 Customer Satisfaction Award Winner 4 Years in a Row! #1 Dealer! 2 0 0 9 H H R LT Only! 13,888 83 YEARS STRONG! $ 3 3 0 W . S P R I N G S T. • C O O K E V I L L E (931) 526-2163 www.carlenchevrolet.com 18 December 2009 www.ucbjournal.com Making commercial buildings green by conserving water With the above-average amount of precipitation the Upper Cumberland has received in the past few months, the subject of water usage and shortages is not something that concerns many residents. However, recent studies have shown that virtually every region in the U.S. will experience water shortages in the next 10 years. All we have to do is look back a few years when water shortages were a significant problem here in the Upper Cumberland. GOING GREEN with Joe Bontrager LEED Accredited Professional systems. The plants used in this process are appropriate to the local climate and are drought-resistant. Another great way to cut down on drainage line for gray water, a filtration system and storage cisterns. Cisterns can also be used to capture rainwater runoff from buildings and parking areas that can be used for irrigation needs. Water use in the interior areas of buildings accounts for less than half of a building’s total water consumption. By making a few So what can we do to help with water shortages and save ourselves money in our new and existing buildings? Water usage for the exterior of your building is a major expense many commercial property owners do not consider in the early stages of design. From the irrigation system to heating and cooling units, more water is consumed for a commercial or residential building’s exterior than is used for toilets, faucets and showers combined. In office buildings, approximately 20 percent of water is consumed by landscaping. Last year, approximately 53 percent of commercial property owners were over-irrigating. One example of how to reduce over-watering is by using xeriscaping techniques. Xeriscaping is a process of landscaping and gardening that can reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation MEGA DEALS From page 1 Clarksville, and seven months after Chattanooga reported it had sealed a $1 billion deal with German automaker Volkswagen. Four factors that were very much under the control of Cleveland/Bradley County leaders were instrumental in securing the Wacker facility. First was a significant incentives package offered by Cleveland/Bradley County that was matched by state and federal assistance. “It is a very, very corporate world. These are big deals,” said Farlow, “and the search is worldwide. They absolutely expect incentives that are in line with the benefits these companies are expected to generate for the region.” Bradley County is providing $5 million in infrastructure cost in the form of a grant and 25 years in tax abatements. The state of Tennessee brought an incentives package to the table worth $75 million in infrastructure and training funding and $100 million in new job tax credits. Second, Cleveland officials kept the door open and maintained cordial relations with Wacker even after initially being turned down. Wacker first considered Cleveland for expansion into North America in 2005, then chose to locate a new facility near its corporate headquarters in Germany. Three years later, company executives called again when they were ready to build another plant, in part because the first experience was a good one. “We parted on good terms, even though they didn’t choose us the first time,” said Farlow. “In the four years between the two meetings, the techniques. In many office buildings, the implementation of these technologies can cut water consumption by 30 percent or more, with a potential three-year return on investment. Another way to cut water consumption is the reuse of gray water inside the building. The use of gray water to flush toilets and urinals could cut water consumption by 40 percent to 50 percent in a new office construction. This trend is catching on. As municipalities look at ways to cut water usage, these trends will be much-needed tools for reducing water usage. Water consumption will be a major factor in the next few years as aging utility infrastructures are updated and replaced. The cost of water will continue to rise, and water saved will contribute directly to the bottom line for companies. irrigation expenses is to use your building’s gray water – wastewater from hand-washing sinks and showers – for outside irrigation. The requirements for gray water irrigation are a separate wastewater company built four other plants. This is a company that is expanding rapidly, and we wanted to be included in any future plans they might have.” Third, when the project was initially being considered, the city already had ownership of a suitable mega site that was listed on the TVA online site inventory. This was also true of the Hemlock plant in Clarksville. “Community preparedness was key,” said Farlow. “We already had ownership of 550 acres that was part of a planned expansion of the Hiwassee Industrial Park. We had the site work completed, utility information and topography data.” Wacker will develop 100 acres in phase one, but wanted to purchase the additional acreage for anticipated future expansion. At one point, two separate companies were bidding to option the property – Wacker and another group with a proposed $8 million to $9 million project. Fourth, nobody talked about the project outside of closed meetings during the four years that negotiations were taking place. “If the client says don’t talk, then you don’t talk,” said Farlow. “We were able to keep the deal under wraps until the night before the announcement even though hundreds of people worked thousands of hours to make it happen.” Farlow offered several other factors that he believed were significant in Wacker’s decision to choose Cleveland. “Another key factor was nearby access to Olin Chlor Alkali, with its availability of the large amounts of chlorine that Wacker will need,” said Farlow. “And, the presence of a large capacity of quality electricity at reasonable rates through Tennessee simple changes, the amount of water usage can be reduced even further. High-efficiency lavatory faucets, sensor-activated faucets and sensoractivated flush valves are all considered the most common Valley Authority.” Polysilicon manufacturing uses 20 to 25 percent the amount used by a nuclear power plant. According to Wacker officials, TVA rates are about half the cost of electrical rates in Germany. Accessibility to educational resources was key. Many of the 500-plus initial workers that will be hired by Wacker will need education and training in the highly skilled and highly technical field of polysilicon production. The direct jobs are expected to result in a $20 million payoff in the form of annual payroll for workers. In addition, an estimated 475 indirect jobs are anticipated at an annual payroll of $14 million. Also, accessibility to a good transportation network provided by Interstate 75 was a requirement. The company has a four-hour turnaround time for orders sent to Olin, which is the first tier-one supplier to be announced. That is why most tier-one manufacturers are expected to be located on or near the Wacker complex. However, tier-two suppliers will be able to operate from greater distances, opening up many counties in the Upper Cumberland areas for possible business. Farlow commented that Cleveland and Cookeville are very similar in population size and other features. Both communities are located near good transportation resources – Cleveland is near I-75 while Cookeville is near I-40 and state Highway 111. The membership size and structure of both chambers of commerce is similar, and each has a strong focus on business development. Also, the local economy in both areas has not suffered as much as other parts of the country. “Tennessee was just named by Site Joe Bontrager is a LEED Certified Project Manager for J&S Construction Company Inc. in Cookeville, TN. J&S is a locally owned, full-service construction company with more than 52 years’ experience building projects, relationships and trust. It has completed more than 90,000 square feet of LEED certified buildings and over 5,000 unique projects with more than a 75 percent repeat customer rate. J&S employs 100 of the finest craftsmen and trade professionals, including a number of nationally recognized and award winning architects and engineers. Paid advertisement Selection magazine as one of the top five states in the nation for best business climates,” said George Halford, president/CEO of the Cookeville Chamber. “The location of Wacker Chemie and Volkswagen within a short distance of our area offers tremendous potential for our community. We want to be ready to capture our share of those benefits.” SPIRITS From page 1 estimated 2009 population of 1,368. The referendum passed with 53 percent of the votes. “We hope to receive about $200,000 in tax revenue annually, if you go by the number that was reported in the newspaper for Jackson County,” said Baxter Mayor Jeff Wilhite. “We have pretty much the same market, and will probably pull customers from some parts of the region that they don’t draw, except for the north side Jackson County store.” Danny Joe West and Millie Lee opened Crossroads Wine & Spirits earlier this year. “Any time you have a business that comes to town, you have improvements in buildings and facilities,” said Wilhite. “Mabey’s building is nice, and so is the Crossroads facility.” The city also hopes both stores will create added revenue from indirect sales attracted for the region. “Anything you bring into the community that is different from what has been here before will attract indirect business,” continued Wilhite. “I think we will also see an indirect benefit from these stores. For example, people may come from I-40 and stop for gas or a sandwich at Luv’s [Travel Stop], and that will create added revenue.” December 2009 19 www.ucbjournal.com NSCC From page 1 color. “This type of application is used in manufacturing every day, and workers are needed who understand how it functions and how to build and program the equipment and technology to make the applications work,” Tennant continued. The Cookeville Campus of NSCC began offering technical courses in 1993 in the Chamber of Commerce offices in Cookeville. It is now part of the Tennessee Board of Regents network of community colleges. Current enrollment is 457 students. From 2008 to 2009, enrollment increased by more than 25 percent, and by almost 50 percent over the past three years. In addition to degree and certificate programs, the college also offers training for existing employees of manufacturing companies on a contract basis. “We’re riding a good (enrollment) wave right now,” said Tennant, “That’s because we have tried to stay focused on our original technical training format. We also offer transfer classes that can be taken toward credit to a four-year college degree, like other traditional community colleges, but our niche is in the technology classes that we offer.” NSCC offers degree programs in business management, computer technology, electrical engineering technology, general technology, office administration, police science and social services. Certificate programs are available that provide training in administrative assistant skills, computer-aided drafting, medical coding, medical transcription services and Web page authoring. Specialty courses are taught in Cisco Systems technology and English as a second language. One of the newest initiatives at NSCC is a program that is being developed in conjunction with the Putnam County Schools Director Dr. Kathleen Airhart. “Mr. Tennant and I have been working on a concept that will allow Putnam County high school students to receive dual credit [high school and college credit] for attending classes at the community college,” said Airhart. “We have a few students who have already started, and we have developed a more formal process that will begin in spring 2010. We are very excited about it.” Chase Merola is a recent high school graduate who is taking classes at NSCC and is enrolled in a robotic circuitry digital interface course. “I love it so far,” said Merola. “I don’t really know what I want to study yet, but I am interested in robotics, whether in factory work or some other area. I want to look into taking a Cisco class next.” “The things Chase is learning in this class are very much in demand right now,” said Tennant. “If he completes all of the Cisco courses, he will have very marketable skills. “We are working hard to develop programs that ensure students like Chase can acquire the very specialized skills that will help them succeed.” If your company is one of the oldest businesses in the U.C., email jay@ucbjournal.com or call 1-800-499-2332 The Upper Cumberland’s Best Place To Buy Tools This Christmas! Jamestown (931) 879-8161 Fairfield Glade (931) 484-1625 Livingston (931) 823-6471 Woodbury (615) 563-4414 Cookeville (931) 528-8413 Lake Tansi (931) 788-1807 Sparta (931) 836-2271 Algood (931) 537-3312 Crossville (931) 484-9191 Baxter (931) 858-1122 Monterey (931) 839-8922 www.pottershc.com CLASSIFIEDS EMPLOYMENT Sales Representative: MMA Creative, Inc. is seeking aggressive, results oriented sales representative(s) to sell a broad range of advertising products, services and/or sponsorships. We are accepting entry level as well as experienced applicants. Full-time positions with base plus commissions and benefits. Travel may be required. If you have the qualifications below, please contact DD McCloud via email (no phone calls, please): dd@mmacreative.com. 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