September E-Newsletter Over a Century of Service! Leadership Morristown Class EXPLODES the Myth There s Nothing to do in Morristown! M embers of the Chamber s Leadership Morristown class participated in the Arts, Culture & Recreation Day on September 7. It didn t take long for them to realize the variety of activities available right here in Morristown and Hamblen County. According to Chamber General Manager Debra Williams, one of her goals for this segment of the Leadership program is to assure that anyone participating in this day will never again make the statement, There s nothing to do in Morristown. The segments of the day took place all over Hamblen County. The day began at the Rose Center with a tour of the historic building, including the sales gallery, Senator Herbert S. Walters Historic Gallery, Edith Davis Gallery (where the Quilt Guild exhibit was on display), music and dance studios, and Prater Hall which had been turned into a theatre for Encore s current production of Middletown. The Rose Center also partners with and provides rehearsal and meeting space for other groups such as The Theatre Guild, Morristown Art Association, Rose Service Guild and others. Following the tour, the class spent an hour with local artist Dan Gibson creating an art project. Then they hit the road for some physical activity.bowling at the recently renovated West End Bowling Lanes and Arcade, shooting at the East Tennessee Gun Club, a disc golf demonstration and playing human foosball at Frank Lorino Park. To finish a busy day, the class members heard presentations on diversity from HOLA representative K.C. Alvarado, public speaking from Justin Cook with First Tennessee Bank and were treated to a beautiful musical performance by Kelli Sexton, one of the Rose Center s many Java Jive entertainers. Based on early evaluations..a good time was had by all! 1
W ith the positive retail and industrial growth in our community, it is an encouraging time to live in Hamblen County. I just wish we had about 20,000 outsiders that knew what we knew and felt the same way. With growth comes growing pains and a major pain is the labor force. This year over last, we do have about 1,000 more participants in the labor force locally, but wouldn t it be encouraging if we had 2,000 which is very possible. Do you still have acquaintances complaining about not being able to find a job? Have you had the heart to tell them how many jobs are available today in our community.1,369 this month alone. I think it is pretty safe to say that there is a stark difference between a person and a worker. Our community has plenty of people but our goal is to attract more workers. We are fortunate to be in an 8 county region that provides a labor force for our market, but if we are not leaders in recruiting workers and business, we will be like other struggling communities. This shift of tide also provides a positive for our workforce rising wage rates. Now I understand not all will say this is a positive, as labor cost increases means that it raises the overall cost of doing business, but I am a firm believer that a hard working individual working in a manufacturing environment with some decision making capabilities deserves a living wage and our goal should always be to allow the lowest paid workers an opportunity to be higher paid if they have worked hard and learned their trade. If these individuals aren t treated well personally or financially, they will be the leaders at the company next door. TN Chamber Business Tax Workshop September 20, 2017 In 2017, Tennessee ushered in some of the most significant tax changes for business in well over a decade. The Tennessee Chamber was front and center on influencing these changes impacting business and manufacturers in the Volunteer state. The State Chamber is hosting their annual business tax seminar on September 20, 2017 providing important updates from the Tennessee Department of Revenue as well as important updates for business and industry. In addition to covering legislation that recently passed, they also will provide crucial updates on new or emerging tax issues impacting business. As Tennessee s leading voice for business and manufacturing, please plan to join them for important updates and weigh in on tax policy that impacts your bottom line. With Tennessee tax revenue growing they expect that 2018 will be an active year for tax policy as well. The annual business tax seminar is designed to help tax and legal professionals, government affairs and operational managers understand and be prepared for tax policy. Additional Topics : Federal business tax changes / what is the prospect of something happening and what will it include? What is on the horizon for Tennessee business taxes? Performance of Tennessee Tax collections/ What is growing, what is not. Register today at www.tnchamber.org click on Events and September 20 th 2
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The Chamber is so thankful for our supportive membership base. We recognize that our organization and our community benefit from the investment made by the 600+ businesses who see the value of a membership in the Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce. When you are seeking products or services, we encourage you to shop with those businesses who are members of the Chamber. For you convenience, we are starting a series in the Morristimes that present our members in specific business categories. We are presenting the categories in random order and eventually will feature categories that will include all our members. Please refer to this list as you shop. You may find our full membership listing at our website, www.morristownchamber.com. Appraisals David Britton Appraisals Attractions Adventure Ranch Amis Mill Eatery Dollywood Frightmare Manor Ober Gatlinburg Rafting in the Smokies Ripley s Aquarium of the Smokies Rose Center The Meeting Place Main Street Country Store Department Stores Belk Goodwill Industries Sears Hometown Stores Wal-Mart (both locations in Morristown) Heating & Air-conditioning Systems East Coast Metal Distributors Ricker Electric Inc. Plumbing Services and/or Supplies Hardwood Specialties The Home Depot Lowes Roto Rooter Political Organizations Hamblen County Democratic Party Republican Party of Hamblen County Indicates Gold Star Member 7
Crye-Leike *Lakeway Real Estate 2423 East Andrew Johnson Hwy Morristown, TN 37814 Phone: 423-586-3100 Fax: 423-586-3102 Email: cryeleikelakeway@gmail.com Ms. Lisa Brown, Partner Dr. Jaime Greene, Partner Mr. Tommy Pedigo, Partner Real Estate Leo N Jack s Subs 1310 W. Andrew Johnson Hwy. Morristown, TN 37814 Phone: 423-839-2115 www.leoandjacks.com Mr. Jim Asaro, Manager Ms. Sherri Asaro Subs Ice Cream Catering Looking for a product or service?? Support the businesses who support our community through their Chamber investment. Don t forget to use our on line Membership Directory at www.morristownchamber.com Dewitt Place Senior Living 2131 Walters Dr. Morristown, TN 37814 Phone: 423-585-0544 Fax: 423-585-0549 www.enlivant.com/communities/ tennessee/dewitt-place-morristown Ms. Donna Richardson, Executive Director Ms. Miriam Higgins, Community Relations Manager Retirement Center Assisted Living JET S Pizza Morristown 1983 West Morris Blvd. P. O. Box 14218 Morristown, TN 37814 Phone: 423-616-0616 Fax: 423-289-5680 www.jetspizza.com Mr. Todd Winstead, Partner Pizza Wings Salad Sandwiches Desserts Morristown Iron & Metals 2540 Old Hwy. 25E P. O. Box 3158 Morristown, TN 37815 Phone: 423-581-6880 Fax: 423-581-8080 www.morristownscrap.com Scrap Metal Recycling Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Center 609 McFarland Street, Suite A Morristown, TN 37814 Phone: 423-587-4449 Fax: 423-587-4799 www.questdiagnostics.com Ms. Dea Bevins, Physicians Acc. Exec. Ms. Joelle Fucini Regional Sales Director Medical Diagnostic Laboratory Medical Patient Collection Center Blue Print for Wellness COC Drug Screening YOUR CLIENT/CUSTOMER/SUPPLIER S NAME HERE If you know someone whose name should appear in this listing next month, please let us know. Call Pat Seaver Director of Sales and Marketing (423) 586-6382 membership@morristownchamber.com Like Us On Facebook! 8
Congratulations September Ambassador of the Month! Congratulations 2nd Qtr. Ambassador of the Quarter! Cindy Lawson Onin Staffing Julia Quick Fountain Plaza Pharmacy Featured Gold Star Members The Chamber boasts over 55 member businesses designated as Gold Star Members. Each month we are proud to feature, on a rotating basis, three of these special investors in our Chamber! www.elevationoutdoorboards.com www.lebelcommercial.com www.palsweb.com Welcome our newest Gold Star Upgrade: www.fountainplazapharmacy.com The Gold Star designation is for members who support the Mission and Program of Work of the Chamber through increased financial investment. Gold Star Members receive special recognitions and benefits throughout the year in return for their increased investment. If your company would like more information on becoming a Gold Star Member, please contact Pat Seaver, 423.586.6382 or membership@morristownchamber.com 9
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Thursday, September 14 BUSINESS SHOWCASE First Presbyterian Church Monday, September 18 Lunch & Learn Carson Newman University On-Line Learning Chamber Board Room Tuesday, September 26 Ribbon Cutting Crye-Leike*Lakeway Real Estate 2423 E. Andrew Johnson Hwy Thursday, September 28 Membership Breakfast AccuForce HR Solutions Chamber Board Room Friday, September 29 New Member Orientation Chamber Board Room Thursday, October 5 50th Anniversary Celebration Acme Printing, Inc. 1100 E. Main St. 3:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 12:00 noon 11:00 a.m. 7:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. www.morristownchamber.com Aundrea Wilcox, MBA KOSBE Executive Director Times Available for Counseling Sessions at the Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce For appointment times call (423) 392-8825 10