MESSAGE froM thE chAirFrom the ChairFrank Shipley

eConomiC Development

Brad Fox

retail Development

Art Gernt

membership Development Dorine Hatler

toUrism DevelopmentGlenn McDonald Charlie Strayer

CommUnity Development Janice Hamby

retiree reCrUitment Don Alexander

bUsiness barometer

For Crossville & CUmberlanD

CoUnty

34 South Main Street • Crossville, TN 38555 • 931-484-8444 • Fax 931-484-7511

Official Quarterly Publication of the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce • January 2012 • Vol 30 • No. 1

Action / briefs

Progress is a Moving Target... I want to talk to each of you as a Chamber member about “progress”.George Bernard Shaw once wrote that “progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything” That willingness to embrace change is a good thing because it is all around us. And it is necessary……..because it represents the first step toward a future that will no doubt involve many steps toward the progress we seek. Consider this: when most of us were entering the workforce ……..there were no I-pods, no You Tube, and no text messaging on our phones. It was a time when Bill Gates, who had dropped out of Harvard, was building a little company called Microsoft but not many people were paying attention to it. Another guy named Steve Jobs was making headlines selling the very first

computer for the home. Just a few years ago cell phones wouldn’t fit in your pocket because they were the size and weight of a masonry brick… and our cars had 8-track tape players, the latest technology. Henry Steel Commanger (A history professor at Amhurst) once wrote “change does not necessarily assure progress, but progress implacably requires change. Education is essential to change, for education creates both new wants and the ability to satisfy them” Obviously, you have already seen a great many changes in your lifetime - changes in the way we communicate with each other, changes in the way we transact our business, and general changes in the way we live our respective lives. The reason why our nation is so technologically advanced and why our nation continues to set the pace globally in business and cultural development is because as a society we are the agents of progress because we embrace change and reject the status quo. It is true that Progress sometimes defines the person….but I think that it is also true that sometimes the person defines what Progress will be…….and what it will mean in their particular age and time much like it has for today’s community leaders. The key to being successful in business and living a fulfilled life is to never stop scaling mountains – to always be moving upward – to “progress” forward, and never be satisfied with the last single vantage point. There is always something farther. Will Rodgers may have said it best, “Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there!”“Change” the vantage point.“Progress” to the next highest mountain.“Discover” a higher vantage point, one where the view is unobstructed and the vision is life altering. In doing so, you will be defining progress for your business, for your future, and for your community. The Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce is undergoing change – in the facility as well as the staff and volunteer structure. You will be hearing details as plans are finalized. I would like to say Merry Christmas (or Season Greetings) and Best Wishes for a prosperous 2012.

EconoMic DEVELoPMEnt DiViSionBrad fox, chair

PAGE 2

chAMBEr hAS AccESS to BUXton

The Labor Study is completed with eleven existing firms participating in the study. The purpose of this study is to provide a labor market profile of Cumberland County. The study is primarily statistical and developed by analyzing information obtained in questionnaires from Cumberland County manufacturing firms. Additional information for the report was secured from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the U. S. Department of Labor, and the U. S. Census Bureau. Data from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development suggest that since 1990, population growth has exceeded labor force growth. This is related to the rapid increase in the retirement age population. Annual average data for 2010 showed a labor force estimated at 22,900. The average number unemployed was estimated to 1,140 in 1990. In 2000 some 1,390 were unemployed, and by 2010 an estimated 2,450 were unemployed. Especially significant have been the rapid rise in the labor force (albeit less than the population growth rate) and the related, large increase in female participation rates. These factors continue to contribute to excess labor supply in the area.

Since its founding in 1994, Buxton has been a leading force in customer analytics. Buxton began as a service to help retailers make informed location decisions by understanding their customers and precisely determining their markets. Buxton leaders soon realized that the company’s expertise in location and market analysis could also be leveraged to benefit communities desiring retail expansion. Buxton’s presence in the public sector was established in 2001 with a simple but powerful mission to provide communities with information and marketing tools to expand their retail base. Tennessee Valley Authority has contracted with Buxton to make the program available to communities served by TVA. The Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce took advantage of the opportunity and is very excited about this marketing tool to better serve the area.

EXiStinG inDUStrY coMMittEEJames Perry, chair

LABor StUDY

StonEPEAK cErAMicS PLAnS to EXPAnD StonePeak Ceramics located their operation in Crossville 10 years ago. Currently, StonePeak Ceramics employs approximately 150 individuals. Company officials have worked with the City, County and Chamber of Commerce to expand their Crossville operations. StonePeak is planning a $15 million expansion and adding an additional 50 employees.

EconoMic DEVELoPErS forUM – SAVE thE DAtE Tennessee Valley Authority will host the 7th Annual Economic Developers Forum on February 16th & 17th in Nashville. This forum is by invitation only. A representative from the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce will attend.

EXEcUtiVE MAnAGErS GroUP The Executive Managers Group of the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce met on Tuesday, December 6th, at the First National Bank of Tennessee. James Perry, Chairman of the Chamber's Existing Industry communicated his appreciation for the attendance to all present and welcomed local officials and area business representatives. The featured speakers were Mike Corley, general counsel for the Middle Tennessee Natural Gas Utility District, and Bobby Randolph, general manager of the Volunteer Energy Cooperative for the Crossville service area. According to Mr. Corley, natural gas prices have decreased and industrial usage has increased over the last twelve months. He offered a comprehensive description of several natural gas consumers served by the MTNG Utility, and stated that the MTNG coverage area is the second largest in the Tennessee. Mr. Corley explained the efficiently of the use of natural gas, and expressed the utilities desire to serve its customers. Mr. Corley stated the Crossville area is the largest user of natural gas in the MTNG system. Mr. Randolph explained Volunteer Energy's commitment to assisting customers achieve energy conservation, and how the long term savings will safeguard the area's future supply of electricity. He outlined VEC's partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority, and discussed the construction of a new substation that will be located in Cumberland County. Both speakers

stressed their company's commitment to the current and future energy needs of their customers. After the presentations, Committee Chair Perry expressed his appreciation to all present, and spoke of his gratitude to the executive managers present for their commitment to the Chamber of Commerce, the City of Crossville and Cumberland County.

Frank Shipley, Chamber Board Chair; Michael Corley, MTNG; Beth Alexander, President & CEO-Chamber of Commerce; Bobby Randolph, VEC and James Perry, Existing Industry Committee Chair.

ShoP croSSViLLE firSt 2011 WAS A SUccESS

PAGE 3rEtAiL DEVELoPMEnt DiViSionArt Gernt, chair

The “Shop Crossville First” campaign has had another successful year even with the challenge of this economic downturn. A special Thank You goes to the corporate sponsors who made the program possible this year: Cumberland County Bank, Crossville Housing Authority, First National Bank of Tennessee, Highland Federal Savings & Loan, Progressive Savings Bank, The Bank of Crossville, Upper Cumberland Federal Credit Union, Volunteer Energy Cooperative, Walgreens and Wal-Mart Supercenter. “Shop Crossville First”, a project of the Chamber’s Retail Development Division, is in its 15th year and seeks to encourage shoppers to buy locally. We are hopeful that this program helped our local businesses during the current economic downturn. As shoppers save time and money by shopping Crossville first, they assist in making a brighter future for the community year round.

“Keeping tax dollars in Crossville, Fairfield Glade and Cumberland County also supports local businesses that employ our friends and neighbors,” explained Art Gernt who chairs the Chamber’s Retail Development Division.

Funds from the program were used to award a total of 20 individuals each a $100 gift certificate to a “Shop Crossville First” participating merchant. We would like to thank our media sponsors who helped make this year’s program a success: The Crossville Chronicle, Flynn Sign Company, PEG Broadcasting & Roland Advertising, Inc. Your generosity is appreciated!

The winners and businesses where they registered were: Erica Martin, First National Bank of Tennessee – certificate to Gigi’s Boutique; Jamie Smith, Hill’s; Margaret Potter, Century 21 Realty Group – certificate to The Screen Door; Eleanore Dotson, 3 Stones Crafts & Consignments; James Nixon, Cumberland Auto Parts; Anita Jones, Crossville Depot Gift Shop; Tora Whitson, Shoe Sensation; Carolyn Brock, Best One Tire & Service – Certificate to Food City of Crossville; Helen Davis, Mikki’s Frame Shop; Laura Stephens, Farm Bureau Insurance of Cumberland County – Certificate to Make It Personal! Embroidery & Gift Shop; Joe Profitt, Shoney’s; Linda Willman, Dave Kirk Automotive; Angela Barringer, Wal-Mart Supercenter; Carla Zimmerman, Little Blessings Quilt Shop and Andy Phipps, The Place LLC.

MEMBErShiP DEVELoPMEnt DiViSionDorine hatler, chair

PAGE 4

nEW chAMBEr MEMBErS

ANDERSON PRINTING SOLUTIONS Mike Rodgers

599 Vickers Place, Suite FCookeville, TN 38501

931-528-1561www.andersonps.com

APS is an established, respected, full-service, commercial printer and service bureau. Established in 1976.

CHOICE REALTY OF TENNESSEE, LLCCeleste Chism

126 Stonehenge Drive (New Branch Location)

Fairfield Glade, TN 38558931-456-4484

www.choicerealtyoftennessee.comThe first “$500 Flat Fee” MLS real estate firm in our area

giving consumers the opportunity to save money when buying or selling a home.

CROSSVILLE CIGARS & PIPESJerry Byrne

3980 Peavine RoadCrossville, TN 38571

931-456-5950Offers Cigars, Pipes & Fine Tobacco.

CROSSVILLE FAMILY CHIROPRACTICR.J. Crawford, D.C.

2625 North Main Street, Suite 202Crossville, TN 38555

931-456-8880www.crossvillefamilychiropractic.com

Chiropractic, wellness, active rehab & nutritional counseling.

CROSSVILLE MEMORIAL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY INC.

Jaime Grimsley2653 North Main Street

Crossville, TN 38555931-456-0047

www.crossvillememorial.com Burial Insurance, Pre Need Funeral Planning, Bronze Markers

& Monuments, On-site Cremations and Pet Services.

CUMBERLAND EYE CAREDan Richardson57 Fairfield Blvd.

Fairfield Glade, TN 38558931-484-3344

Dr. Galloway is one of the leading ophthalmologists on the Cumberland Plateau in refractive cataract surgery.

ENVIRONMENTAL & CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES

Pamela Harris702 Old Jamestown Highway

Crossville, TN 38555931-484-9321

A full-service multi-disciplined engineering firm for both the public and private sectors. ECE Services is your total project

solution providing civil, environmental and geotechnical engineering services!

PAPA JOHN’S PIZZABeth Gaynor

20 The CrossingsCrossville, TN 38555

931-707-1234www.papajohns.com

Papa John's is committed to quality. Enjoy their superior menu consisting of pizza, cheese sticks, breadsticks, chicken

strips & roasted wings. They offer carryout or delivery.

WITT FINANCIAL GROUP, LLCJordan Witt

93 Hwy 70 East, Suite 201Crossville, TN 38555

931-484-4911Tax management, investment management, retirement strategies, estate conservation, insurance and annuity products & third party money management services.

MEMBErShiP DEVELoPMEnt DiViSionDorine hatler, chair

PAGE 5

riBBon cUttinGS & GrAnD oPEninGS

hoLiDAY BUSinESS AftEr hoUrS

To welcome in the holiday season the Chamber’s Membership Development Division organized a Business After Hours gathering on December 1, 2011, at the Fairfield Glade Conference Center. This year’s holiday event was sponsored by Action Heating & Cooling; Art E. Gernt Insurance Agency, Inc.; First Realty Company; Flowers Bakery of Crossville, Inc.; Fairfield Glade Community Club; Progressive Savings Bank; Regions Bank; The Screen Door and Judge Larry M. Warner; and assistance provided by Budweiser of Cookeville and Chestnut Hill Winery. “December’s Holiday Business After Hours” was very successful and enjoyed by approximately 155 Chamber member representatives. The next Business After Hours will be in March 2012 (date to be announced later). If you haven’t made it a habit of attending, you are missing out on one of the best uses of your membership investment. Please take time to plan to attend and take advantage of the great opportunity of networking and display your business cards or business/organization brochures on our display table. Learn how and what made other businesses successful and meet with business leaders or potential customers. If you would like to be a sponsor for the March Business After Hours or if you are interested in donating a door prize please contact the Chamber at 931-484-8444.

Choice Realty of Tennessee, LLCCeleste Chism

126 Stonehenge Drive (New Branch Location)Fairfield Glade, TN 38558

(931) 456-4484

Crossville Heating & CoolingTessi Gilmer

1853 Peavine Road, Suite 101Crossville, TN 38571

(931) 484-0004

Cumberland County Habitat for HumanityMelinda Weigle

329 McLarty LaneCrossville, TN 38557

(931) 484-4565Dorine Hatler, Chair of the Membership Development Division with one of many door prize winners – Richard P. Bringenberg, CPA

2012 trAVEL DirEctorY

PAGE 6 toUriSM DEVELoPMEnt DiViSionGlenn McDonald & charlie Strayer, co-chairs

The Crossville-Cumberland Chamber of Commerce partnered with Let’s Golf Travel Network to participate in 10 golf shows. A travel directory is given out to attendees at each show. A new advertisement for Crossville-Cumberland County has been designed for the directory.

The Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce approval of funds from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development for the 2011-2012 Partnership Marketing Program. This grant will assist in promoting tourism in Crossville and Cumberland County. The program provides tourism organizations the opportunity to expand the impact of their marketing message, increase visitation to their community and increase travel generated revenues. The impact on the Crossville and Cumberland County area was $94.37 million in 2010.

chAMBEr rEcEiVES MAtchinG GrAnt for

toUriSM EffortS

2011 cArEEr fAir = SUccESS! The 2011 Career Exploration Fair was held on November 4th 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM at the Tennessee Technology Center in Crossville. Glenn McDonald, Co-Chair of Tourism Development Division for the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce assisted with the booth which displayed information about hospitality and tourism.

WALton roAD ScEnic BYWAY ProJEct

The Walton Road Scenic Byway project is a part of a regional, ongoing effort to promote, preserve and protect the cultural and natural resources of the Upper Cumberland and Cumberland Plateau region, and to develop the area as an eco and heritage tourism destination. The counties included in the project are Cumberland, Putnam, Roane, and Smith. The City of Crossville, Cumberland County and the Crossville-Cumberland Chamber of Commerce have each committed $2,500.00 to the project as required by each county.

2012 tAcVB confErEncE Chamber representatives will be present at the 6th Annual Tennessee Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus Blizzard VI- Charting the Course on February 2nd and 3rd in Murfreesboro. This annual conference is for Tourism Professionals. Several known speakers will present valued information for the industry.

croSSViLLE KoA nAMED Woodall’s Publications, publisher of the comprehensive Woodall’s Campground Directory, has released its list of North America’s top 100 favorite campgrounds based on the nationwide voting. Crossville KOA has been named in the Top 100 RV Parks. Congratulations!

LEADErShiP cUMBErLAnD 2011 AnD StonEPEAK contriBUtE to hoME AWAY froM hoME

PAGE 7

Christmas 2011 was a bit brighter for children who attend the Home Away From Home (HAFH) Head Start and daycare programs due to donations from the Leadership Cumberland Class of 2011 and StonePeak Ceramics. The HAFH program will provide Christmas Assistance to some 83 preschool children who qualify from low and very low income families. The program got a big boost from a $2200 donation through the combined efforts of the Leadership Cumberland 2011 and local manufacturer StonePeak. Leadership Cumberland is a community development program of the Crossville/Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce that gives up and coming community leaders a chance to meet and interact with current community leaders and learn more about what makes the local area special. StonePeak Ceramics has been a part of Crossville for 10 years and manufactures quality ceramic tile. “Each year’s class selects a worthy project, but I believe the class of 2011 has raised the bar considerably in generating this substantial amount of money to put toward such an immediate need in our community,” said Crossville attorney Margaret Jane Powers, a Leadership Cumberland facilitator. She added, “The class of 2011 is leaving a legacy of leadership in Cumberland County for all who come behind them.”

coMMUnitY DEVELoPMEnt DiViSionJanice hamby, chair

Front, Left to Right: Ashley Kesterson, Leadership Cumberland 2011; Lori Hedgecoth & Kathy Wilson, HAFH; Priscilla Cox, StonePeak Ceramics and Jane Powers, Leadership Cumberland. Back, Left to Right: Glenn McDonald and Matt Dukes, Leadership Cumberland 2011 and Don Alexander, Crossville Housing Authority.

rEtirEE rEcrUitMEnt tASK forcEDon Alexander, chair

iDEAL LiVinG rEtirEMEnt AnD rESort EXPo in nEW JErSEY

Winter months are ideal to recruit individuals to Tennessee! The Retire Tennessee program participates in several Ideal Living Retirement and Resort shows across the United States. On January 21st

and 22nd, Whippany, NJ will welcome thousands of attendees as well as exhibitors to promote areas represented. As a Retire Tennessee community, one requirement for the program is show participation. So, representatives from the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce will head north to do just that; promote Crossville and Cumberland County as a place with a mild climate, low taxes and excellent quality of life to affluent individuals. In addition, to promoting Crossville and Cumberland County face-to-face with individuals; the Chamber will be able to contact individuals to provide more information.

2012 BESt PLAcES to rEtirE During the AARC Conference, a silent auction was held to benefit the American Association of Retirement Communities. The Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce placed a bid on an advertisement in the 2012 Best Place to Retire and received the advertisement, which was valued at $2,500.00. The guide is distributed through RPI Media requestors, Amazon.com and bookstores.

ohio MAGAzinE to fEAtUrE croSSViLLE The Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce has provided information on retiring in Tennessee and more specifically Crossville and Cumberland County to Ohio Magazine. In the February 2012 issue, an article regarding retiring in Tennessee along with various communities will be featured. The article states, In Crossville, many locals joke that you never really retire because everyone has a passion. The extensive volunteer opportunities in the other ensure that all passions can be pursued.

AArc confErEncE hELD in BiLoXi Chartered as a non-profit in 1994, the American Association of Retirement Communities mission is to help rural destinations use retiree attraction as an economic development tool. The American Association of Retirement Communities’ (AARC) 2011 annual conference was held November 9-11 in Biloxi, MS. The 2011 conference theme was Back from the Brink: Building Bridges to New Horizons. Ashley Kesterson of the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce attended the conference. Tommy Lee, Director of Operations at Fairfield Glade Community Club also attended the conference. Attendees at the conference were welcomed by Gerald Blessey, former Biloxi Mayor and Diana O'Toole, Hometown MS Retirement Director. Along with general sessions, tracks were available for Developers and Communities/Cities/Counties. Dave Robertson, President, RPI Media, presented “What 50+ Buyers Want”. He said that 10,000 baby boomers are turning 60 daily. Retirees are the largest growing segment of home buyers and their looking for better weather and a lower cost of living. For more information about the conference or AARC go to www.the-aarc.org.

Left to Right – Tennessee attendees: Ramay Winchester, Retire Tennessee program director; Jeff Fleming, Lea Ann Rasar and Miles Burdine of Kingsport; Beth Pippin and Rachel Baker of Hardin County; Ashley Kesterson of Cumberland County and Laura Canada of Putnam County.

Other IndIcatOrs 2009 2010 2011 aUG 2011 sePElectric Meters 32,012 32,215 32,361 32,349 Employment 18,610 20,454 21,090 21,060 Unemployment 2,710 2,510 2,470 2,460 Unemployment Rate 12.7% 11.0% 10.5% 10.5%

BUIldInG PermIts 2008 2009 2010 2011 YtdCity of Crossville - New Homes 63 38 47 156 (NOV)Lake Tansi - New Homes 54 42 34 7 (NOV) Fairfield Glade - New Homes 88 63 64 48 (NOV)

POPUlatIOn censUs 2000 2010Cumberland County 46,801 56,053 City of Crossville 8,964 10,795 Crab Orchard 838 752Pleasant Hill 544 563Fairfield Glade 4,885 6,989Lake Tansi 2,621 3,803

Board of directorsaNd officers:amanda elmoreBrad fox art Gernt Janice Hamby dorine Hatler

Larry Hensonroy Howardtommy Lee Glenn Mcdonald raj PatelJames Perry frank H. shipleycharlie strayer

cHaMBer staff:Beth alexanderashley Kesterson Lindsey BrownLinda daugherty staff Volunteer

r.t. steely david sutton

eX-officio:Jane Powers

ad Hoc:don alexander Pepe Perron

PaGe 9croSSViLLE-cUMBErLAnD coUntYchamber of commerce

One half of sales tax collected inside the city limits of Crossville, Crab Orchard, and Pleasant Hill is designated by State of Tennessee law to be allocated to the local school systems(s). In Cumberland County, with only one school system, it gets all of the allocation. Outside of the three cities, Cumberland County has designated about 90% of the sales tax to the school district and one half (the sales tax increase of 1999) to debt retirement on new school classroom construction. The remaining portion of the county share of asles tax is about 10%. It goes to the county general fund.

lOcal OPtIOn sales tax 2009 annUal 2010 annUal 2011 seP 2011 Octcounty/city name net collections net collections net collections net collectionsCumberland County $2,634,088.21 $ 2,751,126.60 $ 275,753.94 $ 264,253.35Crossville $ 12,869,796.58 $ 13,231,831.80 $ 1,148,358.76 $ 1,089,941.28Pleasant Hill $ 56,973.67 $ 56,117.93 $ 7,928.79 $ 5,540.09Crab Orchard $ 128,407.78 $ 166,461.71 $ 11,462.81 $ 21,625.10

A rEfLEction of 2011

BUSinESS BAroMEtEr croSSViLLE & cUMBErLAnD coUntY