January 23, 2008

Retire TN, BERO Join to Exhibit at Agritourism Conference

From left, Ramay Winchester of Retire Tennessee and Wisty Pender and Michelle Proctor of BERO talk with participants at their shared booth at the 2008 "Agritourism: Cultivating Farm Revenue" conference in West Tennessee.

ECD's Retire Tennessee program and the Business Enterprise Resource Office linked arms last week to man a booth at the 2008 "Agritourism: Cultivating Farm Revenue" conference.

The conference, which ECD co-sponsored, brought more than 250 farmers together at Paris Landing State Park in West Tennessee to explore the sector of the agriculture industry that invites the public onto the farm for activities or products.

Participants met with equipment dealers and service providers, as well as representatives from related businesses.

There were also educational sessions, covering topics such as increasing agritourism revenue through retail by setting up a shop on the farm. Many farmers shared their success stories, explaining how they have turned natural resources such as equine trails, gardens and hunting into profitable agritourism ventures. For more information about the Agritourism Conference, call BERO at 1-800-872-7201 or Retire Tennessee at (615) 741-2373.

 

VIFAN Breaks Ground on Major Expansion of Morristown Facility

VIFAN USA Inc. broke ground this week on an addition to its current manufacturing facility in Morristown, Tenn.  The total investment for the project will reach $72 million in new building space and new production line equipment, resulting in the creation of 55 additional jobs.

"We have done a great job improving the business climate in Tennessee to be more business-friendly and competitive," said Governor Phil Bredesen.  "Announcements like this one show that our efforts are paying off and that our economic development efforts are on the right track.  I'm grateful to VIFAN for their continued investment in Tennessee."

VIFAN, a producer of biaxially oriented polypropylene sheet film, began operations in Morristown in 1998, and currently operates a 350,000 square foot manufacturing plant.  The expansion will create an additional 120,000 square feet of space and add a second line of production.  The existing site can produce as much as 75 million pounds of product per year.

"VIFAN's expansion is a great example of successful collaboration between the state and local communities," said Matt Kisber, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.  "The jobs created by this announcement represent the type of highly skilled, well-paying positions Governor Bredesen and I believe are essential to Tennessee's continued economic progress.  We're grateful to VIFAN for the company's investment in the people of Tennessee."

The privately-held, Italian-owned company employs 124 people at its facility in the Morristown Airport Industrial District.  The expansion will add another 55 jobs to the Hamblen County site.

"We have been considering plans to expand our Morristown facility and feel the time is now right.  It is our most efficient plant, and we look forward to drawing from the local work force to add jobs and increase our output," commented Vittoriano DiLuzio, North America Executive Vice President and General Manager of VIFAN USA.

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development works routinely with existing businesses to improve and expand their presence in the state.  For more information, visit www.tnecd.gov.

 

Certainly one of the more interesting migrations into Lawrence County was that of the Amish in 1944. Bringing with them their strong religious and cultural beliefs, these immigrants established their community in the area around Ethridge. Their rejection of war and worldly pleasure and their reluctance to incorporate the conveniences of industrial society have made them a source of interest to local residents and visitors to the area.

Source:
Tennessee Encyclopedia

 

Jan. 28
Nashville, Tenn.
Commissioner Kisber will attend the governor's State of the State Address from 6 to 8 p.m.

To request ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber to speak or attend an event, please contact Jennifer Alward at (615) 253-1852 or jennifer.alward@state.tn.us

We invite your thoughts on the ECD Hot Sheet. Please click here to contact ECD Communications with any questions, concerns or suggestions you may have.

Business Development

Business Enterprise Resource Office (BERO)

BERO to Co-Sponsor SBA Loan Workshops in Nashville

BERO is co-sponsoring a loan workshop in Nashville to teach business owners the step-by-step process of applying for an SBA Community Express Loan between $5,000 and $25,000.

WHEN: January 24, 10 a.m. or 2 p.m.
WHERE: Middle Tennessee Career Center at Metro Center
2200 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. (formerly Metro Center Blvd; off Athens Way), Nashville
WHO: Full- and part-time businesses are eligible for the loan.  Reservations are not required. For more information, click here or contact SCORE at (615) 736-7621.

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Community Development

Energy Division and Three-Star

Energy and Three-Star Partner for School Energy Grants

The Energy Policy Division is coordinating with the Three-Star Program in offering a grant for schools to conduct energy education activities within their schools and communities.  Fifteen Three-Star communities have submitted applications to participate in the program. 

A $500 grant will be used to promote energy education initiatives in a community school, and points will be awarded for each activity undertaken and completed. When a school reaches 10 points, they will become eligible for $1500 toward the purchase of Energy Star-approved products for the school. 

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Local Planning

Staff Continues to Work with Communities on Map Modernization

Local Planning staff in Nashville and Jackson are working with officials in six Tennessee counties to adopt new flood insurance rate maps. Communities must adopt and sign new ordinances that meet minimum FEMA requirements by the new map's effective date in order to remain in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Wilson County's new map becomes effective Feb. 20, Carroll and Montgomery Counties have until March 18 and new maps become effective April 16 in Haywood, Henderson and Robertson Counties.

For additional information concerning the Map Modernization Program or the minimal NFIP participation requirements contact, Stanley Harrison at (423) 434-6476 or by e-mail: stanley.harrison@state.tn.us.

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Main Street

National Main Street Conference Announced

Representatives from the Tennessee Main Street Program will travel to Philadelphia this spring for the 2008 National Main Street Conference: "Enriching Main Street Through Entrepreneurship and Diversity."  The national conference will encourage community leaders and business people from across the country to explore how these qualities add to the local flavor, create a true reflection of a community, contribute to an authentic identity and exciting business mix - all essential motivations that bring customers, tourists, new residents and interesting businesses to downtown commercial districts.

The 2008 conference will focus on creating new opportunities, enhancing technology, and building stronger Main Street programs and districts while encouraging strong entrepreneurship and diversity. For additional information, visit www.mainstreet.org.