livingston - Overton County Chamber of Commerce

LIVINGSTON - OVERTON
COUNTY CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE
SPECIAL
POINTS OF
INTEREST:
•
Overton County
turns 200 years
old in 2006!
•
V O L U M E
1 ,
I S S U E
1
J U L Y
1 ,
2 0 0 5
Overton County Celebrates Bicentennial in 2006
Grant to place
brick stamping
from each sidewalk on Court
Square!
•
Chamber Times
LivingstonOverton County
Re-certified a 3Star Community!
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
New Chamber
Members!
2
2005 Renewing
Members!
3
Vol State Plans
Expansion!
3
Events for 2005!
4
Effective Networking!
4
Leadership Overton Alumni!
5
Leadership Overton Graduates!
5
Leadership Overton Youth Academy!
5
Sales Tax Figures
in Overton
County!
6
It Pays To Be
Involved!
6
Community
Data!
7
Overton County will celebrate
its 200th Birthday on September
11, 2006.
The Bicentennial Committee has
been meeting for the last year
making plans for the occasion.
Ronald Dishman is Chairman of
the organization.
The plans are to have a four day event with music, food
booths, and vendors. There will
be skits re-enacting events that
occurred in Overton County
during the last 200 years.
$5.00 Each
LET’S CELEBRATE OUR
BICENTENNIAL ON
SEPTEMBER 8, 9, 10, & 11,
2006!
The committee is raising funds
for the event by selling 2-year
calendars and coffee mugs. The
calendars and mugs are $5.00
each and may be purchased at
the Chamber of Commerce office.
If you would like to serve on the
committee, volunteer to help
with the skits, or help in any
other capacity, please let us
know so that we can send you
notices of each meeting.
As Overton County citizens, we
have a lot to be proud of over
the last 200 years. We have
stood together during times of
hardship, war, celebrations, and accomplishments.
We now have major
highways, industrial
parks, airport, industries, recreational parks,
schools, hospital, businesses
(retail and commercial), and the
friendliest people in the area.
At the chamber, we mail between 300—400 re-location
packages a year. All you have to
do is look around Overton
County to see why we receive so
many requests from potential
visitors and new residents. As
our birthday approaches, everyone should give their self a big
hand because it is you who has
continued making Overton
County a great place to live for
the last 200 years.
Courthouse Square Committee Receives Grant
The Courthouse Square Committee
recently received a TDOT Enhancement Grant for $50,000. The funds
are to be used for the brick stamping
of crosswalks from each sidewalk
around the Courthouse Square.
The committee has been working
diligently on improving the appearance of the Court Square. They have
added new antique lampposts,
benches, and trash receptacles. The
City, County, local businesses, and
individuals have all made this dream a
reality. There has also been new
sidewalks added, underground wiring, and individually-purchased named
bricks along the sidewalks.
Landscape architect Ben Page has
designed a comprehensive new landscape plan for the courthouse square
which may be viewed at the
Chamber of Commerce office.
The chamber wants to applaud
all the people who have made
our court square such a charming place to visit and admire.
PAGE
2
WELCOME
MEMBERS
Welcome New Chamber Members
Bows, Petals, N’ Lace
MedVance Institute
S & C’s Rocky
Florist
1025 Highway 111
Top Realty, LLC
101 South Court Square
Cookeville, TN 38501
100 Henson Street
Livingston, TN 38570
(931) 526-3660
Livingston, TN 38570
(931) 823-1736
Medical Training School for Upper Cumberland Area
(931) 823-1813
Full Service Florist
Cumberland Plateau
Real Estate Company
Recovery
Mundell Handyman
Southern Seasons Garden
& Nursery Center
550 N. Church St., Ste.10
Services
118 Rickman Road
Livingston, TN 38570
517 Allen Sells Lane
Livingston, TN 38570
(931) 403-3577
Alpine, TN 38543
(931) 823-6050
Alcohol & Drug Recovery Center
(931) 239-2340
Trees, Shrubs, Vegetables, (Onthe-Farm & Retail), Lawn Care,
Landscape Services
Handyman Services
Elder Real Estate
1018 Bradford Hicks Drive
TEAM =
Together
Livingston, TN 38570
Over-The-Sun
(931) 823-7511
& Daily Perks
Real Estate Sales
5751 Bradford Hicks Drive
Livingston, TN 38570
Everyone
Achieves
Frontier Chevrolet
(931) 823-2313
1634 Cookeville Highway
Tanning, Nails, Specialty Coffees
& Smoothies, Fruit Teas, Lattes,
etc.
Livingston, TN 38570
More!
Upper Cumberland
Business Journal
705 North Dixie Avenue
Cookeville, TN 38501
(931) 528-8852
Business News Publisher
Webb’s Guitar, Etc.
(931) 823-1255
199 Southwood Road
Auto Sales & Service
Livingston, TN 38570
Pamie’s Unisex Hair Salon
(931) 823-0239
Huddle House
116 South Spring Street
Full-line Musical Instruments
1660 Pamida Drive/Hwy 111S
Livingston, TN 38570
Livingston, TN 38570
(931) 823-7666
(931) 403-6608
Full-Service Hair Salon
Wimberly, Lawson, Seale,
Wright, & Daves’ PLLC
1420 Neal Street
24 Hour Full - Service Restaurant
Suite 201
CHAMBER
Jambros-Dan Rossman
Roger Underhill
Cookeville, TN 38503
155 Wood River Lane
517 Ed Taft Drive
(931) 372-9123
Allons, TN 38541
Smithville, TN 37166
(931) 397-8915
(615) 597-8865
Homebuilding, CustomWoodworking
Law Firm Representing Management in All Areas of Labor and
Employment Law
Individual Member
TIMES
VOLUME
1,
ISSUE
1
PAGE
2005 Renewing Chamber Members
THE SECRET TO
OUR SUCCESS...…
OUR CHAMBER
MEMBERS!
Thanks to the following businesses and
individuals who continue to invest in the Chamber’s Program of Work. Investors listed are
those who have renewed since January,
2005 thru June, 2005.
WorkingTogether
Anything
Can Be
Achieved!
H & R Block
Quality Motors
Highways, Inc.
R & W Construction
Holland Employment
Respiratory Support Services
Holly Creek-Eagle Cove
Resorts, Inc.
Richard & Estelle Jordan
Holt’s Family Pharmacy
Hosea Winningham
James A Cunningham, MD
Jerry’s IGA
Johnnie Lee
American Financial & Insurance Services, Inc.
American Way Real Estate
(Carol Hannah)
American Way Real Estate
(Jamie Killmon Norris)
Amonett Insurance Agency
Bank of Overton County
Beverly Linder, PC CPA
Bruce Myers, Atty.
Budd & Julia Bishop
Budweiser of Cookeville
Ciphertek Systems LLC
Cumberland Mountain Realty
Curves
Eaton - Inoac, Inc.
Edward Dickson
El Rey Mexican Restaurant
Eye Centers of Tennessee
First National Bank of Tennessee
Fred’s Pharmacy
Freeman Apple Oil Co., Inc.
Kelly Williams Attorney
KFC of Livingston
Larry King
Larry’s Dozer Service
Leadership Overton
Linda’s House of Beauty
Livingston Chocolate Company, Inc.
Livingston Family Dentistry
Livingston Flower Basket
Livingston Info-Line
Livingston Ready-Mix, LLC
Livingston Regional Hospital
Richardson Appraisal Co.
Shady Rose Gift Shop
State Farm Insurance Company
Sunset Marina & Resort
Super Discount Drugs
Swallows Insurance Agency
“DESTINY is
Talk of the Town Catering
The Antique Market
not a matter
The Building Center
of chance, it is
The Honorable John Turnbull
The Livingston Clinic
a matter of
The Protocol School of Tennessee
choice; it is not
Twin Lakes Telephone Company
TY-LY Furniture Outlet
a thing to be
UT Extension
waited for, it is
Unifirst Corporation
Union Bank & Trust Company
Electric
a thing to be
Lojac Materials, Inc.
Upper Cumberland
Corporation
Membership
Lynda W. Simmons, Atty.
Upper Cumberland Sign Services
Nolen Realty
Volunteer State Community College
Overton County Farmer’s CO-OP
Walter’s Dairy Queen
Overton County Nursing Home
Watkins and Langford Wrecker Service
Overton County Public Library
Webb Real Estate & Auction Company
Overton Motel & Restaurant
Willow Grove Resort
Parker Seals
Winningham Hardware
Print Mart
WLIV Radio
achieved.”
Puckett’s Furniture
Vol State Plans Expansion
-VOL STATE–
A LIVINGSTON-OVERTON
COUNTY SUCCESS STORY
After years of work, struggle, and
disappointment, our community will
have a facility that is appropriate for
students attending college. Construction bids will be submitted by
early July, 2005, and commencement of construction will start
about six weeks later. Volunteer
State Community College estimates
over 1000 students will be in attendance within two years of completion of the First phase.
Second and Third phases will follow. Offices for faculty, library,
labs, student lounge, classrooms,
and facilities to provide a wide
range of health care studies will be
available to
area students.
The total project will be
completed
within the next
four years.
Volunteer State Community
College Campus
Architect Rendering
3
PAGE
4
What’s Happening
July
September
14, 15, 16. . . Overton County
17. .
Bluegrass Festival.
For more
information contact Mac McLeod,
498-4667.
Winningham Park!
25—30. . .67th Annual Overton
County Fair. For more information contact Cindy Robbins, 8231813.
27 . . .8th Annual Standing Stone
Car Show. For more information
contact Patrick Randall, 823-6347.
Bill Needham, President
Gene Medley, President-Elect
Larry Smith, SecretaryTreasurer
Julia Bishop
Phillip McCormick
Toni Johnson
Carolyn Oldfather
Beth Shipley
Carol Ledford
Johnnie Lee
Budd Bishop
Lynn King
Charlotte Teasley
Katherine Johnson
Eldon Leslie
Johnny Fred Coleman
Bob Shartrand
Mike Swallows
Millard V. Oakley
Bill Winningham
Tim McGill
David Howard
Marty Maynord
Wanda Krantz
Ralph Robbins
Mike Powell
Mayor Frank Martin
5. . . Ag-Industry Appreciation
December
2, 9, 16, & 23. . .Christmas in
the Country. For more information contact Darren Oliver, 8236485.
10. . .Overton County Christmas
Parade. For more information
contact Gene Medley, 823-2735.
November
25. . . Christmas in the Country.
For more information contact
Darren Oliver, 823-6485.
Tips for effective networking
The Chamber provides numerous
networking opportunities throughout the year, all geared toward
helping you make the most of your
investment and expanding your
business.
Networking to some individuals
can be intimidating or even be
considered a waste of time.
When you know the basics of
networking, however, it can truly
make all the difference. Effective
networking can build a wealth of
resources and contacts that will
help make you successful.
dees. By volunteering to
help greet people, you can
make the first contact when
they come through the door.
If you see visitors standing
alone, introduce yourself and
ask if they would like to
meet others.
4.
10 keys to success:
1.
Know the tools you need
and keep them with you. A
supply of business cards and
brochures are essential.
When attending events, wear
a name badge. Keep a business card file handy to store
your contacts.
2.
Determine in advance the
number of contacts you will
make at any given event.
Keep the goal attainable and
make it a point to meet the
goal.
3.
Interact with other atten-
County Mayor Kenneth Copeland
Honorary Members:
Hosea Winningham
Dr. W.G. Quarles
CHAMBER
October
Day. For more information contact Ron Johnson, 823-2735.
August
2005 Board of Directors
.Standing Stone Marbles
Festival & National Rolley Hole
Championships. For more information contact Shawn Hughes,
823-6347.
TIMES
A good conversation starter
is to ask what the other
person does and inquire
about their business. That is
the perfect lead-in to what
you do. Be specific but brief.
Don’t assume they know
your business.
5.
Events are not meant to be a
vehicle to hit on business
people to buy your products
or services, it’s about developing relationships.
Networking at events should be
the beginning of the process,
not the end of it.
6.
Give referrals whenever
possible. If you give someone a viable lead, they are
more inclined to return the
favor.
7.
Exchange business cards.
Ask each person you meet
for two business cards.
Keep one and pass the other
on. That’s what networking
is all about.
8.
Don’t linger with friends or
associates. The goal is to
make new business contacts.
9.
Write notes on the back of
business cards that you collect to help you remember
each person more clearly.
This will come in handy
when you follow up.
10.
The most important part of
networking is to Follow Up!
If you don’t, you’ve wasted
your time. Drop a note or
call each person you’ve met
and be sure to fulfill any
promises you made.
VOLUME
1,
ISSUE
1
PAGE
5
Leadership Overton Alumni Report
Welcome
Sign Greeting Visitors
to Overton
stepped forward and
created a positive
difference in both
programs.
The Alumni meet at
the Chamber on a
monthly basis, and
lunch is sponsored by
a local business. This year’s program
was a great success due to the generosity of our local businesses; they are
the backbone of our community’s
achievements.
County.
The Leadership Overton Alumni have
been meeting on a monthly basis
throughout the following year working
on the Adult and Youth Leadership
Overton programs. Under the guidance of Jim Evans, Alumni President
for 2004—2005, the Alumni have
Also, the Alumni are continuing to
work on the Welcome Sign Project
started by Leadership Overton. They
now have Welcome Signs on Highway
111 coming from Putnam County and
from Pickett County. Their next
project is a Welcome Sign on Highway
52 coming from Clay County. The
Welcome Signs are such a positive
addition to our community. They
make a dramatic entrance to visitors
as well as residents to our community.
The Leadership Overton Alumni are
in the process of soliciting donations
for the cost of erecting a sign. If anyone is interested in donating to the
Welcome Sign project, please contact
Rita at the Chamber of Commerce at
823-6421.
Leadership Overton Graduation Held
“Leadership
is action,
not
position.”
2005 Leadership Overton Class Graduates
Leadership Overton celebrated the conclusion of
the Class of 2005 with a graduation ceremony on
June 3, 2005. The event was held at Mitchell
Creek Lodge. Carolyn Oldfather and Toni Johnson, proprietors and LO graduates hosted the
event. Members of the Class of 2005 (and their
place of work or sponsor) are Sheryl Beatty
(Union Bank & Trust Company), Debra Ferrell
(Overton/Pickett County FSA ), Michael Johnson
(Livingston Jaycees), Colene Ledbetter (Eaton
Inoac), Greg McDonald (Livingston Rotary
Club), Erin Montgomery (First National Bank of
Tennessee), Cindy Robbins (S & C’s Rocky Top
Realty), Joe Ross (Livingston Regional Hospital),
Cynthia Sells (State Farm Insurance), Tonia Sells
(Physical Medicine Center), Renea Stover
(Livingston Ready Mix), Larry Thomas (Allons
Baptist Church), and Mark White (Mark White
Tire & Service Center).
The year consisted of eight sessions that ran from
October 2004 thru May 2005. It covered local
and state current issues in government affairs and
economic development, challenges in education
and health care, and an exploration of resources
and opportunities for Overton County and its
citizens. Discussions with current local leaders
and leadership skill-building topics such as teambuilding, leadership styles, group dynamics,
problem solving, and community service were
also fundamental training elements for the class.
Plaques of completion were awarded to each
graduate by another graduate. They did an
exercise in recognition to award the diplomas. A
tour of the facility and a dinner reception followed the ceremony. Anyone who lives or works
in Overton County is eligible to participate in
Leadership Overton, which will begin a new class
in October, 2005. Please contact Rita Reagan at
931-823-6421
for
more
information.
Thanks to all the
businesses
that
sponsor the Leadership Overton Program each year, for
without the community’s support this
program would not
be possible.
Leadership Overton Youth Students Excel
The fifth class of the Leadership Overton Youth
Academy has proven to be the best yet for the
organization. Starting back in October, even before
the applications came in, our advisors felt like this
was going to be a good year. Now that the year is
completed, it has proven to be the best year ever.
From the beginning, the 18 Sophomores became
quickly involved in the classes and community
service projects. Our first meeting was held on
November 17, 2004. The topic was leadership
styles, and Ms. Manners (Linda Riser) talked to the
group about etiquette.
You know that you have
made progress when weeks later the class members call to your attention someone is eating
wrongly or has poor seating habits.
Out of the 18 students, 12 had perfect attendance
to all classes and work sessions. From the start,
each class meeting was empowered with these
sophomores impressing us on how well they listen
and participated in the programs. Health care,
education, city and county government, justice
system, and the graduation trip to Knoxville highlighted the year. Jacob Brown was elected as
president - elect, and Megan Harris, Secretary to
the Leadership Overton Youth Alumni Association.
Alison West was project coordinator and did an
excellent job.
The group voted last January to participate in the
“Relay for Life” activity for the American Heart
Association. This group did everything from selling
fried apple pies to car washes, as well as selling
bracelets. The final dollar amount raised by the
group was $1,500.00, which was excellent for the
first year. The group’s outing in Knoxville was very
special this year, because we not only toured the
new in-door football facility, but had a game of
football on the field in Neyland Stadium. We also
toured the new locker room and had a press
conference in Phil Fulmer’s press room. We had a
great day in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. It
makes you proud of the youth from Livingston
Academy when you have a group like this year’s
class. These 18 sophomores have the ground work
now to become tomorrow’s leaders. I expect that
you will see them in the future in leadership roles.
This upcoming year’s class structure will have a
few changes due to the 3-Star program requirements. We will be adding agriculture, state government, and history to the program. This program
like others could not be operated without funding. A
special thanks goes to the Livingston Rotary Club
and the Livingston Jaycees for helping sponsor this
class of youth. The return on their money will be
three-fold. Applications for this year’s class can be
picked up at the Guidance Office at Livingston
Academy in August.
By: Gene Medley, Advisor
Youth Leadership Graduation
Trip to Knoxville, Pigeon Forge,
& Gatlinburg.
PAGE
6
Sales Tax Figures in Overton County
What can we as business owners and individuals do to help
the sales tax figures in Overton County?
Keep your information up-todate. Let us know your address,
phone numbers, e-mail, and
web site address so we can keep
you informed!
GOT A NEWS
ITEM, EVENT,
INTERESTING
STORY, OR
REPORT FOR THE
CHAMBER TIMES?
LET US KNOW ,
AND WE WILL TRY
dollars at home? Enrich Overton County. . . Spend Locally!
Purchases made in Overton
County benefit Overton
SHOP AT HOME
County. Here are some ways
According to Henry Bowman, your sales tax dollars make a
economic analyst with the difference. . .
Upper Cumberland Develop- • Help fund local school
ment District, Overton
projects, salaries, and
County’s Sales Tax Collections
equipment purchases.
dropped from April, 2005
• Strengthen our commucompared to April, 2004,
nity’s law enforcement by
(which reflects activity in
providing more money
March - the latest monthly
for more officers.
figures available from the TN
Department of Revenue). • Equip our firefighters with
Overton County collected
the resources they need
$679,756, down by 7.7 percent
to improve our fire profrom $736,461 from 2004.
tection.
These amounts only include
• Create jobs for more
the state sales tax, not the
county residents by palocal option sales tax.
tronizing local businesses
So, what can we do to help
ensuring their success and
these figures and keep our tax
ability to hire more work-
ers.
•
Increase funds available to
improve county roads by
purchasing gasoline locally.
•
Promote tourism and
commercial growth by
increasing awareness and
a p p ea l of O ver t on
County.
If just half of county residents
who routinely shop elsewhere
would spend at home instead,
county sales tax collected
would be substantially increased.
Your Local Spending =
A Better Overton County!
TO INCLUDE IT IN
OUR NEWSLETTER!
It Pays To Be Involved
Please remember to
frequent
fellow
chamber
members’
businesses
in 2005!
One of the features
available for Chamber
Members is a spotlight
article in the newsletter featuring your
business.
To be selected as the
spotlight feature business of the quarter,
send us a story about your
CHAMBER
TIMES
business. Each quarter a business will be selected from the
businesses who submitted a
story. The article needs to be
between 250—300 words
telling us about your business.
Be sure to tell us a little bit
about the history of your business, your products or the
services you provide. De-
scribe your market (retail or
wholesale), and something
about your plans for the future.
This is a great way to share
information with your fellow
chamber members. The more
your fellow members know
about your business, the more
business they will refer.
VOLUME
1,
ISSUE
1
PAGE
Overton County Community Data
Updated 01/31/05
Data Provided by: UCDD
OVERTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE
Population
Percent
Personal Income
Total-2000 Census
20,118
100.0
2000 Census (1999 Income)
White
19,834
98.6
Median Family
$32,156
Black
56
0.3
Median Household
$26,915
Other
228
1.1
Per Capita
$13,910
Hispanic
138
0.7
Individual Poverty Rate (%)
16.0
Age 0-4
1,240
6.2
Family Poverty Rate (%)
12.3
5-17
3,390
16.9
18-64
12,469
62.0
2002 Bureau of Economic Analysis
3,019
15.0
Total (000's)
$408,076
38.8
-----
Per Capita
$21,262
2003 Estimated Total
20,151
-----
1990 Census Total
17,636
-----
Miscellaneous
433.4
-----
2004 Bank Deposits (000's)
1997 Wholesale Trade (000's)
NA
2003 Avg
12/04
2002 Farm Sales (000's)
$16,388
Labor Force-Total
9,500
9,460
2000 Adult (Age 25+) Education
Employment
8,870
9,000
Percent College Graduates
8.3
630
460
Percent H.S. Graduates
59.0
65+
Median Age
Land Area (sq. miles)
Employment, Labor Force
Unemployment
$269,121
Rate (%)
6.6
4.9
Available Labor
750
530
Property Tax Rate-2004
Work Force-Total
4,700
NA
Per $100 Assessment
$1.94
Manufacturing
1,380
NA
Effective
$1.94
Nonmanufacturing
3,320
NA
2003 Wages
Total
Mfg
State Sales Tax Rate (%)
7.00
Average Weekly
$466
$541
Local Sales Tax Rate (%)
2.50
Retail Sales
(000's)
2003
2002
$118,409
$109,026
2004
Municipal Data
Population
Property Tax Rate
2000 Census
--------------------------------
Per Capita
1990
Nominal Effective
Income
3,498 3,809
$1.40 $1.40
$15,558
-----------------------2000
Livingston
7
The Livingston-Overton County Chamber of
Commerce is a non-profit organization that
was formed on May 1, 1967. It’s mission is for
Livingston - Overton County
Chamber of Commerce
the purpose of advancing the commercial, industrial,
civic,
and
general
interest
of
Livingston-Overton County and its trade area.
222 East Main Street
P.O. Box 354
For more information, you may contact either:
Livingston, TN 38570
John M. Roberts, Executive Director
Phone: 931-823-6421
Rita Reagan, Assistant Director
Fax: 931-823-6422
E-mail: [email protected]
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Chamber Times is organized and edited by Roger Underhill
and Rita Reagan.
Newsletter printed by Gene Medley (UT Extension)
We’re on the Web!
www.overtonco.com
Livingston-Overton County Re-certified 3-Star
Livingston-Overton County has been
officially recertified a Three - Star
Community. The Chamber was reviewed by representatives from the
Department of Economic & Community Development on May 26. We
received a total of 1,010 points which
placed us in a Level 2 category.
The goal of the program is to develop
something that will be more comprehensive and beneficial for our community and help us close the gap between economic stagnancy and competitiveness. The program’s focus on
education, community leadership, and
infrastructure helps local communities
identify key marketing strengths to
grow and retain jobs, improve quality
of life, and better prepare for sustainable growth.
The state’s redesigned Three-Star
Program has set high standards and
incentives like no other state-run
program in the nation. The Three Star Program assists communities in
preserving existing employment, creating new employment opportunities,
improving family income, and creating
a strong leadership base for economic
development.
Governor’s 3-Star Ceremony in
Nashville, Tennessee
In order to receive the certification,
we are required to meet a number of
criteria in organizational, community,
business, education, and work force
development categories. Incentives
for receiving the certification include
identification on all Fast Track infrastructure and job training applications, eligibility for matching grants,
and the advantage of earning points in
the Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) process.
The key to successful community
development is the implementation of
programs like Three-Star which set
practical and manageable steps, that if
followed, will better prepare us for
growth. This program helps steer us
in the right direction to reach the
destination of successful economic
development.