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October 2010
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September 2010
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August 2010
BREAKING NEWS: Group aims to put package stores on ballot in Cookeville
Gainesboro and Spencer have had it. Baxter and Gordonsville just got it. Should Cookeville get it?
That’s the question a group of citizens are asking about possibly putting a package liquor store referendum on the November ballot for the city of Cookeville.
“We’re never going to stop people from purchasing their favorite brand of wine or alcohol beyond our city borders,” said Matt Case, spokesperson for the Citizens for Progress in Cookeville. “So... click here to read more
'Sin tax' structure raises concerns for U.C. distributors
Governments have traditionally been able to sustain their operating funds by collecting additional taxes on those items most folks will just keep on buying regardless of recessions or economic downturns. The state of Tennessee is no exception, and is in some cases setting the bar for just how much controlled substances can be taxed.Tennessee’s manufacturers and distributors of beer, wine and spirits are all subject to an excise tax levied by the state. For beer, the tax is set at 14 c... click here to read more
Financial overhaul places regulatory burden on community banks
With the House and Senate versions of a financial reform bill being combined to create the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act on June 25, community banks across the country see the resulting legislation as a mixed bag. But in order to make any certain judgments, bank officials will have to sift through the pending bill’s 5,000 or so pages of new regulations that touch community banks.Sam Warren, president of Cit... click here to read more
‘Green’ industry looks to add jobs in Overton
HEFT Industries Inc., a start-up electric power plant company out of Colorado, has given Livingston and Overton County officials a letter of intent announcing their selection of Livingston for the corporate headquarters. The company is currently negotiating the purchase of the Berkline #5 Building in the Livingston Industrial Park, but has not closed on the property as of press time.HEFT is a “new technology" power plant company, according to Greg McDonald of the click here to read more
U.C. ahead of the curve on state sales tax collections
The latest retail sales tax collection figures show an upward trend across the Upper Cumberland, albeit a slower rate than in past months. For month-over-month collections in June, the region’s rate of increasing revenues still outpaces retail tax collections from the state as a whole. The region’s collections showed a 3.7 percent increase from June 2009 to June 2010, compared to an increase of only 0.7 percent statewide over the same span.Henry Bowman, senior analyst for the
click here to read more Roane State receives $2.86 million grant for high-tech job training
Roane State Community College has received a $2.86 million federal grant that will support educating workers in advanced materials technician-level training – a field with strong job growth prospects.Roane State was one of 41 community colleges and organizations nationally, and the only one in Tennessee, to receive a Community Based Job Training Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor received 323 applications and award... click here to read more
Statewide sales tax holiday set for Aug. 6-8
Tennessee’s fifth annual Sales Tax Holiday is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 6, and continuing through Sunday, Aug. 8. The Department of Revenue is reminding Tennessee shoppers that during these three days of savings, shoppers can save almost 10 percent on tax-free clothing, school and art supplies, and computer purchases.
The holiday begins Aug. 6 at 12:01 a.m. and ends Aug. 8 at 11:59 p.m. During the designated three-day weekend, consumers will not pay state or local sales tax on ... click here to read more
Woodbury town square completes renovation project
The courthouse square in Woodbury recently received extensive renovations as part of a Tennessee Department of Transportation enhancement grant. The $800,000 project focused primarily on replacing the site’s original 1936 drainage system, and received 80 percent of funding from TDOT, with the City of Woodbury and Cannon County taking on the remaining cost.The renovations also included installing new sidewalks and paving, underground electric and telephone wiring, new landscaping and l... click here to read more
BizBuzz – August
Local gubernatorial debate plannedCOOKEVILLE – A town-hall style gubernatorial debate has been scheduled for Sept. 14 at 7 pm at Tennessee Tech University’s Wattenbarger Auditorium. The Highlands recently announced that it will partner with Tennessee Tech University, Nashville’s WTVF NewsChannel5, and the Tennessee League of Women Voters to produce the non-partisan debate.
“Our candidates for governor should hear firsthand about the ... click here to read more
Horner Family – Hooper, Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home: Providing comfort and service
At Hooper, Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home, doing business is all about keeping it in the family. Owners David and Jill Horner have established a family-oriented operation that sets a high standard of service and values for a company going into its 70th year of operation. Their commitment to these values is made obvious by the fact that their two sons, Jason and Brad, are also members of the team, both of them working as funeral directors. ... click here to read moreVan Buren Chamber receives funds for downtown location
The Greater Van Buren County-Spencer Chamber of Commerce was recently named the recipient of a federal investment for the purchase and renovation of a building on the historic courthouse square. The new facility will provide space for chamber operations, visitor information and much-needed meeting space for community organizations.
“This is an investment in Spencer and Van Buren County’s future,” said U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis. “I am proud to support vital projec... click here to read more
$750k grant moves Airport Industrial Park forward
White County and the Highlands region has just moved another step toward the creation of additional jobs with the recently approved $750,000 PILOT Program Fast Track Infrastructure Program grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. Officials hope the grant will enable the Airport Industrial Park to add new jobs in the area.
“We have been working constantly on this project since 2007 and having this grant approved is wonderful news for the people o... click here to read more
Economic downturn changes Americans' attitude toward debt
After years of amassing higher levels of unsecured debt, many Americans have decided it’s time to stop paying high interest rates and get their financial houses in order. One option recommended frequently in the financial press is to divert some or all of the dollars previously earmarked for saving and investing to now pay down debt. For these “experts,” paying off debt is equivalent to earning the interest rate charged. “When you pay off a credit card that charges 16 per... click here to read moreDr. Christine K. Pham – Obstetrics and gynecology: Making the move to the friendliest place on Earth
If you wave to Dr. Christine Pham as you’re driving around town, don’t take offense if she doesn’t respond right away. She’s just not used to it.“When I first got here, I couldn’t believe how friendly everyone was,” said Pham, a gynecology and obstetrics physician with OB/GYN Associates and Cookeville Regional Medical Center. “When I went to the grocery store and someone offered to take my bags to my car, I was taken aback. What a great place ... click here to read more
Entrepreneurial brothers tap a new market in U.C.
A love for business – and beer – is ingrained in brothers Don and Dave Sergio. The brothers have recently opened Calfkiller Brewing Company in their hometown of Sparta, and are set to begin distributing their microbrew this summer. Their enthusiasm for craft beers combined with a fierce do-it-yourself attitude has fostered their evolution from “mere homebrewers,” as Don says, to entrepreneurs on the verge of tapping a rapidly expanding industry without a precedent in the ... click here to read moreNew Business Licenses – August
MACON COUNTY
(from the office of County Clerk James Howser)
B and C Services
411 Stevens Circle
Lafayette, TN 37083
Comprehensive Cuts
351 High Street
Red Boiling Springs, TN 37150
Dan Baxley Repair and Service
2554 Trammel Creek Road
Westmoreland, TN 37186
Hobart’s Restaurant
447 Highway 52 Bypass West
Lafayette, TN 37089
KSY Inc.... click here to read more
July 2010
Annual Ovation Awards ‘proof positive’ of success
There’s nothing quite as nice as being able to deliver good news, and this edition of the Cumberland Business Journal is chock full of it. We have the distinct honor of recognizing dozens of Upper Cumberland businesses and individuals for a job well done over the past year with our annual Ovation Awards issue.
This is the third year we’ve brought these awards to you, and each year gets better and better with more nominations and compelling reasons why different awards shou... click here to read more
Ovation Awards: Excellence in Business Leadership
Honoring business owners, managers, education facilities and other key leaders for their foresight, management skills, training and overall success.
Motlow State Community College, Mechatronics Certification Program
Warren County
Business leaders with the foresight necessary to promote long-term innovation and global competitiveness oftentimes take the most important steps outside of actu... click here to read more
Ovation Awards: Spirit of Entrepreneurship
Honoring individuals who have made something from nothing, who have withstood the test of time and/or carved out a unique business model where none previously existed.
Zurich Homes
Cumberland County
As father-and-son ... click here to read more
Ovation Awards: Excellence in Governmental Leadership
Honoring elected/appointed officials and their respective offices/entities for their overall commitment and service to promoting a strong business and economic environment in the Upper Cumberland region.
Donna Arrington, Four Lake Authority
Macon, Smith and Trousdale counties
Attracting industry to rural areas can be a challenge, but Donna Arrington and the Four Lake Authority have done their best... click here to read more
Ovation Awards: Excellence in Manufacturing
Honoring innovation, environmental stewardship, quality work environments, corporate philanthropy/citizenship, and consistent or extraordinary growth.
Norcom
White County
Norcom, the nation’s leading manufacturer of institutional and residential bathing systems, has bolstered White County’s economic development by providing the area with continued expansion and job growth. Along th... click here to read more
Ovation Awards: Best Individual/Corporate Citizen (Philanthropy)
Honoring leaders who have helped pave the way through their generosity, donations or other volunteer activities.
Chuck Sparks, BB&T-Legge Insurance Agency
Putnam County
Chuck Sparks, agency manager at Cookeville’s BB&T-Legge Insurance Agency, has devoted countless hours and resources to various worthy causes in the area, and believes that he has a duty to give back to the com... click here to read more
Ovation Awards: Excellence in Professional Services
Honoring professionals who serve the Upper Cumberland well, from accountants and lawyers to plumbers and doctors.
Larry Taylor, UBS
Putnam County
As the senior vice president of investments, Larry Taylor of Cookeville’s UBS knows that satisfying clients doesn’t always come easily, but he believes that a few key practices – building trust, listening carefully, maintaining an eye for in... click here to read more
Ovation Awards: Favorite Restaurant
Honoring Upper Cumberland-area restaurants for consistent service, food quality and/or unique dining experiences.
Timberloft
Smith County
How do you make a motorcycle gang stop in its tracks? Try what Timberloft has done and install a barbeque smoker right in front of your restaurant. Along with their Memphis-style barbeque and other top-notch menu items, Gordonsville’s favorite rest... click here to read more
Ovation Awards: Favorite Retail Establishment
Honoring the various retail outlets in the Upper Cumberland for customer service, varied or unique product selection, convenience and overall value to the community.
J.J. Jax
Putnam County
As a small retailer of home accessories, jewelry and clothing, Cookeville-based J.J. Jax strives to stand out from the crowd by offering quality goods and services with a personal touch. But according to owner Jenny Jackson Spurlock, J.J. Jax r... click here to read more
Ovation Awards: Exellence in Tourism Promotion
Honoring an effective or unique promotion of tourism related to economic development in a community or the Upper Cumberland region.
Alliance for the Cumberlands
Regional
Formed in 2001 as a vehicle for ecological conservation in the region, the Alliance for the Cumberlands is a partnership of public and private organizations unified in their commitment to protect the Cum... click here to read more
Biz Buzz – July
Fox appointed to Tennessee Medical Association committee
COOKEVILLE – Dr. Eric Fox has recently been reappointed to serve on the Insurance Issues Committee of the Tennessee Medical Association for a two-year term. The Insurance Issues Committee monitors and addresses all insurance issues, both government and commercial, affecting physicians, practices and patients in Tennessee.
Fox is on staff at Cookeville Regional Me... click here to read more
Blue Coast Burrito coming to Cookeville
Mexican food lovers will be salivating about the newest restaurant on its way to Cookeville.Blue Coast Burrito, based in Brentwood, has announced plans to open a new restaurant on the former Pizza Hut property on South Jefferson Avenue in Cookeville. According to officials close to the project, the restaurant is scheduled to be open by early fall. Within 12 months, the company plans to open a second location near Ten... click here to read more
VW supplier invests in Warren County
Warren County’s Mountain View Industrial Park will soon be home to a new distribution center for a Volkswagen supplier, bringing 118 jobs and a $7.5 million investment to the county.Miniature Precision Components is a leading supplier of thermoplastic injection molded, extrusion and blow-molded products for the automotive, lawn and garden, and commercial industries, and the company’s customers include the Volksw... click here to read more
U.C. economy shows dramatic improvement in April
The economic wellbeing of counties across the Upper Cumberland are seeing signs of significant improvement, according to recently released sales tax revenue collection data. Collections for the region as a whole increased by 7.2 percent from March to April, the most significant jump in recent memory. DeKalb County posted the region’s largest increase, hoisting its revenues up by 16.7 percent, with Cannon County’s increasing by 14.8 percent, Clay County by 10.6 percent, and Putnam by ... click here to read moreMJF Media expands, adds jobs in Algood
MJF Media, a Putnam County-based media distribution company, recently relocated a second distribution facility from Ontario, Canada to Algood, immediately providing 25 jobs. The newly relocated business will distribute videos for the company.Marty Toombs, vice president of operations at MJF, believes that the distribution facility’s relocation to Algood will provide tangible benefits to the local economy. In addition to its immediate job cr... click here to read more
U.C. real estate, construction contracts show recent gains
Sales in the real estate and construction sectors across the region have grown by leaps and bounds in recent months, suggesting the beginning of an upward trend for the economy as a whole.Robbin Reagans, CEO of the Upper Cumberland Association of Realtors, reports that the region’s annual residential home sales through May 31 have increased 31.25 percent over sales recorded during the same span last year. Additionally, the average sales price for sin... click here to read more
Workers’ comp policies to undergo changes
Employers across the Upper Cumberland should be aware of several changes made to workers’ compensation policies in the state legislature. Included among these changes are modifications to existing policies on an employer’s right to medical information, at-work recreational injuries, and provisions for gradually occurring injuries.Coverage requirements have changed for certain construction companies. Under Senate Bill 3591, passed in June, qualified construction companies will be... click here to read more
Davis Draper – REI & Youth soccer coach – Outstanding in his Fields
Davis Draper is used to dealing with the idea of very important information, and depending on what time of day it is, he’s either helping people protect it or giving it out freely. That’s because of Draper’s two distinct vocations: instructing technical security techniques during the day and teaching young players the fundamentals of soccer in the evenings. But his drive and continual focus on fundamentals guides him equally through both endeavors.
After earning his ... click here to read more
New Business Licenses – July
MACON COUNTY(from the office of County Clerk James Howser)
Joey Dyer Remodeling
737 Morgan Road
Lafayette, TN 37083
Macon Signs & Designs
530 Walton Chapel Road
Lafayette, TN 37083
Midwest Materials Company
1220 W 13th Street
Joplin, MO 64802
Pro Flooring
2609 Gamaliel Road
Red Boiling Springs, TN... click here to read more
Dr. Greg Roberts – Orthopedic surgeon with CRMC and Upper Cumberland Orthopedic Surgery
Ask any mechanic or repair man, and they’ll tell you that having the right tool for the right job can mean all the difference in the world. The same can be said for knee replacement surgery.
Dr. Greg Roberts, an orthopedic surgeon with Cookeville Regional Medical Center and Upper Cumberland Orthopedic Surgery, has been using new tools to perform an MRI scan of the knee, map it, and then use computer-generated models to build guides customi... click here to read more
June 2010
BizBuzz – June
Fudge promoted to president at Honest Abe
MOSS – Randy Fudge has been promoted to president of Honest Abe Log Homes. Fudge joined Honest Abe in 1987 and holds a degree in industrial technology from Western Kentucky Univers... click here to read more
Hospital officials set to tackle challenges in reform bill
Every aspect of health coverage in America has come under intense scrutiny since the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in March. In addition to its obvious effects on businesses and individuals with its insurance coverage mandates, the bill also calls for hospitals to confront widespread changes in the way they will operate in the future. And if you ask Michael Meadows, CEO of Livingston Regional Hospital, the debat... click here to read moreU.C. businesses see uptick in economy
Based on recent trends of increased business, expansion and job creation, many businesses across the Upper Cumberland appear to be indicating the region’s turn toward positive economic growth. A number of businesses in the construction sector, as well as area manufacturers, have shown improvements in each of these areas.Van De Voorde Electric, a Cookeville-based electrical services company, has seen the economy improve to the point that it rec... click here to read more
Education reform to better prepare Tennessee’s work force
The passage of two education reform bills in a special legislative session earlier this year, coupled with Tennessee’s acquisition of the federal Race to the Top Grant in March, have positioned the Upper Cumberland and the state at the forefront of nationwide educational reform efforts. Concurrently, the reform measures adopted by Gov. Phil Bredesen are designed to improve economic and work force development in the region and across the state.Bredesen’s educational reform initia... click here to read more
Cumberland Kia comes under new ownership
The auto dealership formerly known as Cookeville Kia came under new ownership in April and is now Cumberland Kia, joining Cumberland Auto Group under owner Lanny Dunn. The dealership received approval from Kia in May and has already begun increasing its new vehicle inventory.Cumberland Auto Group, which currently employs over 100 workers, will increase its work force by 25 with the addition of the Kia dealership. Dunn expects to hire an addition... click here to read more
Morrison Bridgestone plant celebrates milestone, learning pavilion
Bridgestone-Firestone’s Morrison facility, part of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, marked a milestone on May 12 as it celebrated its 20th year of operation.
As part of the ceremony, the facility officially dedicated its Bridgestone Environmental Education Classroom and Habitat (BEECH) learning pavilion. According to company officials, the BEECH wildlife habitat program has provided more than 5,000 young people ... click here to read more
Flooding dampens commerce for Upper Cumberland retailers
The recent outbreak of storms and severe flooding has brought many businesses in the Upper Cumberland to a standstill, leaving owners and employees to pick up the pieces. Flooding in Clay, DeKalb, Jackson, Macon, Smith and Trousdale counties has been met with a degree of federal aid, but many businesses remain uncertain of their own eligibility for Small Business Association loans and Disaster Unemployment Assistance.One business owner who has experienced t... click here to read more
Floods, insurance policies cover many U.C. business owners
Record-breaking floods across the state of Tennessee have put a severe economic strain on many residents and businesses of the Upper Cumberland. But for many affected by flood damage, the reality echoes Bob Dylan’s warning, that if you go down in the flood it’s going to be your own fault. Flood insurance coverage, available exclusively through the National Flood Insurance Program, is available to everyone regardless of location or risk... click here to read moreLinde RSS named regional medical gas distributor
Linde RSS, a medical gas warehouse in Livingston, was recently selected to be a regional distribution center for LifeGas locations nationwide and held a ribbon cutting to celebrate on May 6. LifeGas, owned by the Linde Group out of Munich, Germany, operates 48 locations and is the world’s second largest supplier of medi... click here to read moreDr. Timothy Powell – Focusing On Healing
Physicians and surgeons face a daunting task in today’s society. Not only are they responsible for the health care of their community, but many are also businesspeople who operate their own practice.When the opportunity came to eliminate the business side of the equation for Dr. Timothy J. Powell in the form of a position with Cookeville Regional Medical Center, he jumped at the chance.
“I had known for a while that I wanted to mov... click here to read more
Larry and Tim Funderburk – Success is Golden
McDonald’s franchisee Tim Funderburk actually works for a real estate entity. Or at least that’s how he explains it.“The best way to look at McDonald’s is that it’s just a huge real estate company,” he said. “They own a lot of land and a lot of buildings, and they lease those to the local owners to run the business. And that’s what we do.”
Tim and his father, Larry, have been... click here to read more
Crossville downtown welcomes two new businesses
Visitors to Crossville’s downtown area will notice two new retail businesses: The Screen Door and Perks Too. Both stores opened their doors recently, giving many hope that their unique offerings will attract visitors to the downtown area and help foster the economic and community development of Crossville’s downtown.According to owner Carla French, The Screen Door offers its patrons a unique variety of one-of-a-kind items, ranging from home accessories and decor, linens, apparel... click here to read more
Fast Lane Fun Park opens first phase of recreation
The Fast Lane Fun Park has completed its first phase of construction and opened daily to the public on May 15. An additional phase of construction and development is also underway, according to park business operations manager Christy Norton.The park’s first phase of construction consists of an 18-hole mini golf course; an 827-foot go-kart track; a rock-climbing wall; four giant bounce houses; the Monkey Jump, an attraction made of four tr... click here to read more
New Business Licenses – June
New Business Licenses
MACON COUNTY
(from the office of County Clerk James Howser)
Five Star Investment Group LLC
201 Scottsville Road
Lafayette, TN 37083
Hickornuts
1979 Coleytown Road
Lafayette, TN 37083
Jambros Construction
232 Yancey Lane
Pleasant Shade, TN 37145
J.T. Shrum Auction & Realtyclick here to read more
May 2010
Health care bill raises questions for businesses
With the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in March, businesses across the Upper Cumberland have been forced to reexamine the health coverage provisions offered to their employees. Because of the size and scope of the reform bill, its effects on area businesses vary considerably, depending largely on the size and current practices of the company.One of the most significant short-term changes to the health care system involves a tax credit already available to many sm... click here to read more
Prepaid FDIC assessments challenge U.C. banks
Bank of Putnam County president David Williamson compares it to a group of tourists standing around a Las Vegas craps table. A couple of them step up to play but the rest just sit back and watch.“Some of them rolled the dice,” he said, “and when they lost, the house said, ‘Hey, stop. Hold on just a second. It’s OK, these other people still have their money because they didn’t gamble. They’re going to bail ... click here to read more
Last month for Ovation nominees
Nominations are being submitted in record numbers for the third annual Ovation Awards, to be published in July.The Ovation Awards honor businesses, organizations and individuals in the Upper Cumberland region for excellence in several categories, from manufacturing and retail to individual philanthropists and governmental officials.
Deadline for submitting nominations has been extended to Monday, May 17. Nominations may be sent by e-mail to news@... click here to read more
BizBuzz – May
Gary Maxwell Insurance merges with Richardson in Gainesboro
GAINESBORO – Gary Maxwell Insurance has recently consolidated operations with the Richardson Insurance Agency in Gainesboro, allowing the Maxwell agency to serve customers in Jackson County in addition to those near its existing offices in Cookeville and Livingston.
“In teaming up with the Richardson Agency, I feel like I'm going back to m... click here to read more
Omega Apparel contract creates 112 jobs in Smithville
A new contract recently awarded to Omega Apparel, a military uniform manufacturer in Smithville, will provide the area with 112 additional jobs and a payroll boost estimated at $1.5 million for the first year. The contract, worth $34 million over five years, was awarded by the Defense Logistics Agency for the production of U.S. Army dress pants. Production began April 15.Over the life of the new contract, awarded in late February, Omega will manufacture 336,000 medium blue Army dress pants ... click here to read more
STEM Center looks to boost area education, industry
The Millard Oakley STEM Center, housed in Tennessee Tech University’s newly completed Ray Morris Hall, will celebrate its grand opening on May 7. The center, whose focus combines science, technology, engineering and mathematics, is designed to improve student engagement with these disciplines, as well as provide teachers with a space to experiment and test out new, research-based learning methodologies. The ... click here to read moreFentress County manufacturer reopens, adds 30 jobs to area work force
Camel Manufacturing, a producer of tents for the U.S. military, reopened its Jamestown manufacturing facility in February, adding 30 new jobs to the area. The reopening came six months after the plant halted operation in July 2009, a closure that resulted in the loss of 68 jobs.A new contract with the Department of Defense enabled the plant to reopen and rehire 30 of its previous employees. Plant manager Penny Leffew believes that the reopen... click here to read more
Highlands prepares for next phase of regional strategy
As reported in last month’s CBJ, Phase I of the Highlands Initiative was deemed a “resounding” success by officials in Overton, Putnam and White counties.Now Phase II, spanning years 2010-2013, has already begun with a fundraising campaign to provide capital for implementing the four main strategies set out in the program of work adopted by Highlands leaders. The theme for the next four years of work is... click here to read more
Cookeville Baymont makes eco-friendly imprint on Upper Cumberland
Baymont Inn and Suites of Cookeville is in the process of “going green,” having introduced a number of environmentally friendly practices as part of its daily operations and long-term goals. The changes have come as a result of new brand standards under its parent corporation, Wyndham Worldwide, as well as through independent initiatives.In April, the Cookeville location participa... click here to read more
Putnam’s December restaurant revenues higher than expected
Recent revenue reports broken down by industry present more signs that the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association football championships were a boon for Putnam County.According to one estimate, Putnam County’s December 2009 revenues for eating and drinking establishments exceeded typical revenues for the same month by $1.3 million. The figure has led to speculation that the boost came as a result of the city hosting the TSSAA games, which l... click here to read more
U.C. Airport Industrial Park moves forward in White
With an eye toward the future, White County Commissioners vote to continue their investment into the Upper Cumberland Airport Industrial Park at their April meeting of the county legislative body and will begin construction on a road into the Industrial Park.
“Essentially this vote moves White County job growth forward in a very positive way,” said Herd Sullivan, White County Executive. “With our central location and access to Interstate 40 and Highway 111, we look f... click here to read more
Dave Riddell, VP of Support Services, Cookeville Regional Medical Center – Facilitating excellence
Dave Riddell, vice president of support services at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, has made a career out of helping others improve the quality of every patient’s experience, as well as providing support to hospital staff members. Riddell, a native of Charleston, W. Va., has done this by continually looking to make the most out of every opportunity, not the least of which involved his moving south to Tennessee.In 1971, Riddell graduated from... click here to read more
Regional resort project proceeds after $25 million bond authorization
CELINA – The Celina/Clay County Joint Industrial Development Board was authorized by the State of Tennessee through Commissioner Matthew Kisber, Department of Economic and Community Development, to issue $25 million in Recovery Zone Facility Bonds to assist in the financing of the La Gardena Resort development. Since Clay, Fentress, Overton and Pickett Counties will benefit from the construction and eventual employment of many of their residents, this will be a four-county regional project... click here to read moreDr. Mark Wathen – Sparking an interest in the electrophysiology of the heart
If you want to receive medical care from a physician who is considered one of the leaders in his profession, you’d have to go to a big metro hospital or a world-renown facility like the Mayo Clinic, right?Not when it comes to Cookeville Regional Medical Center and the specialized practice of cardiac electrophysiology. Dr. Mark Wathen is known as one of the leading experts in the field, with half of the cardiac electrophysiologists in the state f... click here to read more
Sparta chamber building receives high-resolution facelift
By Kevin Burmeister
CBJ Staff
As part of a remodeling project begun in February, officials at the Sparta-White County Chamber of Commerce recently enhanced the building’s visual appeal by installing a large, floor-to-ceiling mural on an interior office wall. Designed and created by EGRX Graphics, the mural was custom-made for the chamber building using the company’s speci... click here to read more
Suit accuses Monterey Perdue plant of illegal hiring
A class action lawsuit named the Monterey Perdue Farms Inc. processing facility in its allegation that 16 Perdue plants across the nation have knowingly hired more than 500 illegal immigrants since 2006. The lawsuit, filed in a U.S. District Court in Alabama, alleges that Perdue’s corporate office implemented the hiring scheme in an effort to save millions of dollars in labor costs. Perdue officials deny the accusations and argue that the company’... click here to read moreNoble and Tracy Cody – A family tradition of supplying quality
Many businesses across the Upper Cumberland have, in one way or other, depended on a single family for their supply of office necessities for over half a century. Whether from Noble Cody and his former business, Cody Office Supply, or from his son Tracy Cody at A-Z Office Resource, business owners continue to recognize quality products and services as synonymous with the Cody name.This tradition of quality sprouted from humble beginnings. Noble began hi... click here to read more
New Business Licenses – May
MACON COUNTY
(from the office of County Clerk James Howser)
Expressions by Melinda
2605 Celina Road
Red Boiling Springs, TN 37150
Langford Sons Restoration
4510 Oakdale Road
Westmoreland, TN 37186
Alternative Laser Service
616 Gaulden Hollow Road
Lafayette, TN 37083
PUTNAM COUNTY<... click here to read more
April 2010
Stimulus-funded projects change the face of U.C. transportation
Stimulus funds have already made their mark on the Upper Cumberland region, mostly in the form of education- and transportation-related projects.Funds were dispersed to agencies in the region beginning in July 2009, and according to Phyllis Bennett, executive director of the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency (UCHRA), projects using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds have created or directly preserved 3,000 to 4,000 jobs across the re... click here to read more
U.C. tourism benefits from ‘down’ economy
With rising gas prices and a sluggish economy, will travelers be visiting the Upper Cumberland this summer? According to Ruth Dyal, president of the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association (UCTA), the answer is a resounding yes. The regional tourism industry is on the rise and, from what Dyal can tell, people still want to travel.Several area tourism destinations reported record attendance in 2009, including Cumberland Caverns in Warren County and Granville’s Heritage Day in Jackson Coun... click here to read more
Baxter referendum shakes up several city economies
Since the passage of a referendum to allow the sale of liquor in the city limits of Baxter, local tax revenues have flourished, while the city of Gainesboro’s coffers have begun to dry up. The city of Spencer, also home to a package liquor store, has experienced a much smaller decrease in sales revenues. Since the referendum’s passage in November 2008, two package stores have opened their doors in Baxter, creating something of a sea change for city economies across the Upper Cumberla... click here to read moreNorcom expansion creates jobs in Sparta
SPARTA – Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber, Sparta Mayor Tommy Pedigo and White County Executive Herd Sullivan, along with leadership from the Sparta-White County Chamber of Commerce, took part in ribbon-cutting ceremonies celebrating the grand opening of Norcom of Tennessee’s expanded production facility in Sparta. The expansion represents an investment of $2 million over three years and is expected to create 30 to 50 new jobs.Cummins, UAW reach five-year agreement
Cummins Filtration, a division of Cummins Inc., recently announced that it has reached a five-year contract agreement with United Autoworkers Local 1407, which represents employees at the company’s manufacturing facility in Cookeville.Cookeville UAW members ratified the agreement by a 3-to-1 margin on March 14. The new contract provides wage increases across the life of the contract, and brings the health care coverage for employees at the plant in line with that offered to most U.S. ... click here to read more
BizBuzz – April
Cumberland Medical Center to open clinic in Monterey
CROSSVILLE – Cumberland Medical Center recently announced plans to open a clinic in Monterey in the next few weeks. The Monterey Health Clinic will be located at 305 S. Holly St., Suite A.
“Cumberland Medical Center has a long-standing relationship with the Monterey community going back to the days of Dr. Lawson and Dr. Cravens. We were approached about this opportunity and it was discussed with our Board of Di... click here to read more
Crossville, Cumberland Co. selected for economic development program
The University of Tennessee Extension, the UT Institute for Public Service and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development have included Crossville and Cumberland County among the eight test communities selected for a statewide pilot program – Creating a Rural Entrepreneurial System in Tennessee (CREST). The CREST program will assist rural communities in Tennessee in transforming their local economies through the development of key components required for entrepreneur... click here to read more
Labor market study points to growth opportunities for Highlands
A recent study concluded that the Highlands area work force currently meets the needs of its employers and also holds potential for attracting new businesses to the area. The results of the assessment highlighted the region’s particular assets and challenges, made conclusions based on its findings, and provided specific recommendations for action.The Highlands Workforce Development and Education Committee presented the labor market assessment results as a part of the Highlands Economi... click here to read more
Garry and Diane DeRossitt, owners, Garry’s Upholstery – Surfaces run deep
Garry and Diane DeRossitt, owners of Garry’s Upholstery in Cookeville, have built their business’s reputation by breathing new life into time-worn furnishings, improving pieces as much as possible and, above all, satisfying customers beyond their expectations. And they’ve done it as they do just about everything: as a team.Garry goes about his work with the spirit of a craftsman, still taking the time, energy and expertise to do all the reupholstery tasks himself, includin... click here to read more
Employers increasingly being sued over inflexible leave policies
A number of cases are being brought across the country challenging employers’ inflexible leave policies, sometimes known as administrative separation policies, when an employee is terminated for failure to return to work following a maximum period allowed for a leave of absence. Many, if not most, employers have policies that if an employee is absent for leave for more than a set period of time, e.g., three months, six months, 12 months, or 24 months, they are administratively terminated f... click here to read moreDr. Kevin Purgiel, D.O. – finds big city life with small town charm in Cookeville
It may seem cliché, but Dr. Kevin Purgiel summed up his reason for moving from Michigan to Cookeville like this: it’s the best of both worlds.“I grew up in a small town in Michigan, and we lived about two hours away from the major entertainment centers and college towns,” said Purgiel, an osteopathic doctor and general surgeon. “Cookeville is similar to that set-up. This is a great place with its own benefits, while Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga are sho... click here to read more
Highlands completes ‘successful’ first four years
HIGHLANDS — It's official – the first four years of the Highlands Initiative have been a resounding success, setting the stage for the launch of the next four-year cycle.
The Highlands Initiative was begun in 2006 as a collaborative, public/private sector program designed to boost economic and community development in the Upper Cumberland region. Federal, state, city and county governments and agencies, along with chambers of commerce, key officials a... click here to read more
New Business Licenses – April
MACON COUNTY(from the office of County Clerk James Howser)
Avila Drywall
1615 W. Stinson Road
Westmoreland, TN 37186
Dallas Motorsports
1102 Handy Alley
Lafayette, TN 37083
Finishing Touch Drywall
2451 Hartsville Road
Lafayette, TN 37083
Linville Lawn Care
42 Buck Lane
Lafayette... click here to read more
WCTE programming brings tourism to Upper Cumberland
Covering the Upper Cumberland and presenting its cultural assets to local, regional and national audiences has been the goal of WCTE-TV, the PBS affiliate station of the Upper Cumberland, from its conception in 1978. And through its high-quality broadcasts of two locally produced programs – Jammin’ at Hippie Jack’s and Bluegrass Underground – the level of exposure the station has provided the area is hard to overstate. Becky Magura, CEO of WCTE, believes... click here to read moreTrails projects poised to spur U.C. tourism industry
Tourism in the Upper Cumberland may be set to receive an economic boost from the implementation of several trail and corridor initiatives across the region. In addition to awaiting state designation for cultural and natural wealth, the region is in the process of implementing several trail initiatives that are intended to organize and showcase the area’s many tourism destinations. These include the Cumberland Plateau Nature Trail, the state’s official designation for the region, and ... click here to read moreLong Branch Lakes - country living at its best
Tucked away on nearly 5,000 acres of magnificent tamed wilderness, Long Branch Lakes, a property development and tourism destination in Van Buren County, provides visitors with a chance to experience all that’s expressed by the community tagline: Lakes, Lariats and Wonderful Living! With on-site amenities that include a 200-acre equestrian center, extensive recreational facilities, and two private Bill Dance Signature Lakes, Long Branch Lakes provides visitors not only secluded country liv... click here to read moreARC Grants help facilitate tourism in Fentress, Pickett counties
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) recently awarded the Sergeant York Patriotic Foundation, in conjunction with the Friends of Cordell Hull Birthplace, a $40,000 grant, to be matched by $10,000 of local or in-kind funding, to execute an ambitious and much-needed project creating a tourism trail linking two Tennessee State Parks: Cordell Hull Birthplace and Museum in Byrdstown and the Sergeant York Historic Site near Jamestown.Hull and York both hailed from the Tennessee hills, in Pic... click here to read more
March 2010
The same priorities today as two decades past – Britt Akers, owner, Martinizing Cookeville
For some of us, looking back 20 years to see if our priorities are the same today as they were when we were 24 years old might be a little frightening. But for Britt Akers, it confirms his solid priorities were rightly placed.In a 1991 article in Cookeville's Finest, Akers was quoted as saying that his interests were in "the Lord, Susannah (his wife) and my family, my business and my church."
"Hopefully, I'll have the same attitude 10 or 20 years from now," he continued.
Tod... click here to read more
Medical Profile: Dr. Bernadette Hee, pulmonologist, fulfilling her childhood dream at CRMC
"I always wanted to be a doctor," said Dr. Bernadette Hee, pulmonologist and one of Cookeville Regional Medical Center's newest additions to its staff of physicians. "I chose pulmonary medicine because often there are immediate results from the treatment. Even if it's not immediate, I feel I am actually helping my patients, like the 21-year-old kid I treated who collapsed at the gym while lifting weights."This kid was 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 220 pounds; he was basically all muscles... click here to read more
Motlow's Mechatronics prepares skilled workers
What do you get when combining the teachings of mechanics and electronics?According to Motlow State Community College (MSCC), the result is mechatronics, a relatively new discipline that combines aspects of mechanical, computer and electronic engineering.
On Jan. 14, the MSCC campus in McMinnville began offering a certificate of credit in mechatronics. Intended as a way of providing industries with a more technologically integrated and multidisciplinary work force, the program offer... click here to read more
Playhouse continues to add value to the plateau
Paul Crabtree had no idea when he temporarily moved his family of nine to the Plateau more than 45 years ago that he would live out his days there creating a legacy in rural community theater and contributing both entertainment and economic growth to the region.By 1963, Crabtree had already amassed a significant résumé of Broadway and regional theater acting, directing and writing credits. He and wife Mary moved to Crossville when Paul was between jobs and deciding whether he ... click here to read more
U.C. region posts substantial growth for last quarter
The Upper Cumberland's economy has turned a corner, according to recently released state sales tax collection data. Showing steady improvements over the year's final quarter, the region's tax earnings outperformed the state as a whole to post substantial gains in the year's final month. State figures also reveal that several counties within the Upper Cumberland Development District showed gains over 2008 revenues both in December and for the last quarter.Henry Bowman, senior analyst for Upp... click here to read more
Cookeville’s fifth interchange project forges ahead
Officials have apparently overcome an obstacle to Cookeville’s fifth interchange project by adopting resolutions committing to funding a northern connector road, if it is deemed necessary.
The Cookeville City Council and the Putnam County Commission both passed resolutions in mid-February that agree in principle to partnering with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and funding their respective portions of the project, recently estimated to cost around $11 million.... click here to read moreJackson evolves from ‘kayak bum’ to successful entrepreneur
Training, preparation, mental toughness and endurance have sustained Eric Jackson in his countless outings as a professional kayaker. But as owner and co-founder of Jackson Kayak and its subsidiary Sparta Plastics, this thirst for competition has also propelled him through a very different set of challenges."I've really enjoyed that whole process as an athlete," he said. "In business, I treat it the same way."
A kayaker of 40 years, Jackson dropped out of engineering school to becom... click here to read more
New Business Licenses
MACON COUNTY
(from the office of County Clerk James Howser)
J&T Cutlery Co.
104 Church St.
Lafayette, TN 37083Turn Structural Interior Inc.
171 Factory St.
Gallatin, TN 37066
PUTNAM COUNTY
(from the office of County Clerk Wayne Nabors)A Tax Solution
440 N. Washington Ave., Suite 7
Cookeville, TN 38501Affordable Outbuildings
255 Derby Laneclick here to read more BizBuzz
Bob Luna assumes leadership of Cookeville Chamber board
COOKEVILLE – Outgoing Chairman Tom Lawrence will officially pass the ceremonial Chamber gavel to Bob Luna at the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce Annual Membership Meeting in April at the Leslie Town Centre.Luna, who was selected as chair-elect in November of 2008, assumed his new role at the beginning of this year. Lawrence will succeed Allen Ray as immediate past... click here to read more
February 2010
There are no articles in this issue.

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MOSS – Randy Fudge has been promoted to president of 