April 30, 2008 |
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Reception Honors Advertorial Sponsors
Governor Bredesen joined FORTUNE Magazine Publisher Hugh Wiley and Economic and Community Development Assistant Commissioner Mark Drury Tuesday evening to thank the sponsors of a special Tennessee section in this year's FORTUNE 500 issue.
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| Jerry Dodds, Vice President of Operations for Brother International, accepts the Chrysanthemum Award from Commissioner Kisber and Mayor McDonald. |
At its annual membership meeting in Nashville, the Japan-America Society of Tennessee (JAST) recognized the accomplishments of three outstanding industry and community leaders whose efforts have made substantial and enduring contributions to Japanese-American relations, effectively improving public life and the well being of our
mutual society.
The 2008 Chrysanthemum Awards for community involvement and support by Japanese owned companies were presented in two categories to Brother International Corporation/Brother Industries (USA), Inc. (over 500 employees) and PML, Inc. (under 200 employees).
Brother International/Brother Industries (U.S.A.), Inc. of Bartlett, TN, was nominated by the Bartlett Chamber of Commerce and presented with the Chrysanthemum Award for large companies by ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber and Mayor A. Keith McDonald of the City of Bartlett.
"Brother was the first nongovernmental 'Strategic Investor 'of the Bartlett Chamber of Commerce with a $10,000 contribution for 2007-2010," McDonald said. "This annual donation has made it possible to establish a Director of Economic Development position and to embark upon an enhanced economic development campaign."
PML, located in Paris, TN, is a privately held subsidiary of Marugo Rubber Industries of Japan that manufactures extruded, molded, and rubber-to-metal bonded products for the
automotive market.
PML employees support various local civic clubs, athletic groups and community organizations through volunteer hours as well as by financial donations. Since 2001, these dedicated workers have participated with a Relay for Life team which has raised over $41,000 to date for the American Cancer Society. Their determined efforts to help eliminate this dreaded disease have contributed to the
well being of many in their community.
Recipients were selected from nominations received prior to March 18 by a volunteer panel of judges representing statewide and regional educational, civic and community development organizations.
The Pickett County area was home to Tennessee Lead, a black and tan hound of the 1850s acquired by George W. Maupin of Madison County, Kentucky. This breeder turned Tennessee Lead into the foundation sire of all Walker, Trigg, and Goodman foxhounds.
Source:
Tennessee Encyclopedia
May 1
Nashville
Commissioner Kisber will participate in a press conference at the Ryman Auditorium at 10 a.m.
To request ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber to speak or attend an event,
please contact Jennifer Alward at (615) 2531852 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.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation's Small Business Development Program is making plans for the annual TDOT Regional DBE and Prime contractor quarterly breakfast meetings during the month of May. All TDOT departments, prime contractors and TDOT certified DBE's are invited to meet with one another during these matchmaker events to learn more about the Prime Contractor's needs and the DBE's specialty area(s).
WHEN: May 1, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WHERE: TDOT Region 4 Complex, 300 Benchmark Pl., Jackson, Tenn.
WHEN: May 20, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WHERE: TDOT Region 3 Complex, 6601 Centennial Blvd., Nashville, Tenn.
WHEN: May 21, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WHERE: TDOT Region 2 Complex, 4005 Cromwell Rd., Chattanooga, Tenn.
WHEN: May 22, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WHERE: TDOT Region 1 Complex, Smoky Mountain Resource Conservation & Developmental Council, 9737 Codgill Rd. Ste. 152B, Knoxville, Tenn.
Save the dates for the upcoming workshops in Cookeville and Chattanooga on how to do business with the government. Attendees will learn valuable tools and insights to enable them to more successfully work with federal, state and local governments and agencies.
WHAT: Doing Business with Federal, State and Local Governments
WHEN: May 6, 8 a.m. 12 p.m.
WHERE: Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, One West First Street, Cookeville, Tenn.
WHO: Small business, woman-owned, minority-owned and rural businesses interested in working with the government.
The workshop is free of charge, but reservations are required. To register contact the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce at 9315262211.
WHAT: Doing Business with Federal/State/Local Governments
WHEN: May 22, 8 a.m. 12 p.m.
WHERE: DRC (Development Resource Center) at 1250 Market Street, Chattanooga, Tenn.
WHO: Small businesses, woman-owned, minority-owned and rural businesses interested in working with the government.
Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber today recognized McMinnville, Tenn. for its work to create a three dimensional model of the community for Google Earth. Google released a case study on its Cities in 3D Web site featuring McMinnville, Tenn. The case study demonstrates how small towns can use Google's SketchUp software to create three-dimensional city models for use in Google Earth.
Main Street McMinnville, a partner with the Tennessee Main Street Program, spearheaded the effort to create the rendering of McMinnville's historic downtown district. Google Earth donated SketchUp Pro and Google Earth Pro software and provided training to volunteers as the project got underway in November. The remainder of the project was funded through a Main Street Innovation Grant awarded by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development in 2007.
"McMinnville's creative approach to economic development is innovative, exciting and we're pleased to play a role in helping make that happen," said ECD Commissioner Kisber. "Their creative use of Google Earth should be an example to all communities pursuing growth in Tennessee. Sometimes the most effective solutions aren't the most obvious."
"We're pleased to see communities like McMinnville take the initiative to model their downtown and we hope others follow their lead," said Bruce Polderman, Business Product Manager for Google. "Virtual models of cities and towns encourage economic development, promote tourism, and support urban planning efforts by enabling everyone to 'visit' these locations using Google Earth."
The newly-released case study comes as McMinnville finishes its project, and is intended to showcase Google Earth's potential uses for small communities across the country.
"Since we started building the model of our downtown I've had phone calls and emails from people interested in using it - everyone from local contractors to tourist companies. I get the sense that people have been waiting for this," said Chris Wilson, director of Main Street McMinnville. "You could find a parcel of land in McMinnville, build a 3D model, and show exactly what the customer will see walking down the street. It's a way to show that you 'did your homework' - you understand the dynamics of making a business successful in a small town. It takes you up a notch - and with a tool like SketchUp, it's something anyone can do."
Visit sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse and click on "Cities in 3D Program" on the right side of the page, then click on "Success Stories" on the left side of the page to view the McMinnville case study.
The Tennessee Leadership Center is offering the second annual Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course May 12-16, 2008 for community leaders and local, state and federal economic development professionals. Topics for this year's course will include global trends, community development and process and practice of economic development.
The course is accredited by the International Economic Development Council and can be applied toward certification as a professional economic developer. Registration is $525 through May 2. Scholarships for tuition and hotel costs will be available. For more information about scholarships, contact Michelle Williams at Michelle.Williams@state.tn.us.
To view the pdf brochure and registration form, click here. Online registration is currently available. To register click here and click on "TBEDC register online" on the upper right of the page.
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Tennessean:
"Westmoreland ready to roll out welcome mat for businesses"
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Knoxville Business Journal: "VW narrows potential new plant to 3 states"Volkswagen AG said Wednesday it has narrowed its list of states competing for a potential U.S. production facility to Alabama, Michigan and Tennessee.
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