May 8, 2008

Governor, Commissioner Kisber Launch Energy Policy Initiative

Governor Phil Bredesen and ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber attend the first Governor's Energy Policy Task Force meeting on May 5.

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen was joined by ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber for the initial meeting of the newly-formed Governor's Task Force on Energy Policy May 5. The task force met in Nashville to begin an examination of how energy is utilized in Tennessee and to develop policy recommendations aimed at driving greater efficiency, reduction of environmental impact and cost savings. Experts told the panel Tennessee is one of the largest per capita energy consuming states in the U.S. with Tennessee residents using nearly twice the electricity as the average American. Governor Bredesen told the panel he wants the state to "lead by example" by looking at ways to reduce energy consumption in the state's nearly 9 million square feet of government buildings and it's fleet of more than 5,000 motor vehicles.

"I really believe our efforts in this area will drive economic development as well," Commissioner Kisber said. "We're already collaborating with Oak Ridge National Lab and the University of Tennessee on alternative fuels research. Energy savings are enormously important for all companies and Tennessee's leadership in this area can help attract the next generation of successful companies."

Governor Bredesen's move to dedicate more than $70 million dollars in state funds in partnership with ORNL and UT were key to Tennessee landing one of three national biofuels research centers from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Nu-Energie Opens Northeast Tennessee's First Bio-Diesel Plant

Commissioner Kisber joined officials from Nu-Energie to cut the ribbon on their new bio-diesel manufacturing plant.

ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber and Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens joined officials from Nu-Energie, LLC to celebrate the company's grand opening in Surgoinsville, Tenn. on May 7. The new plant is the first bio-diesel manufacturing facility in Northeast Tennessee and will create 15 new jobs representing a $4 million capital investment.

"I'm very pleased to welcome Nu-Energie to the Northeast Tennessee business community," Governor Bredesen said. "The jobs this new business venture is creating are at the forefront of technological innovation, and they represent the kind of opportunity that makes Tennessee a great place to do business and to live."

The project is supported by a FastTrack Infrastructure Development Grant from ECD to install railroad spurs in the Phipps Bend Industrial Park, where the plant is located.

"ECD works hard to offer businesses like Nu-Energie the resources they need to locate in Tennessee," Kisber said. "Energy is the new frontier of job creation, and companies like this one will help make Tennessee the leader of this emerging industry."  

Nu-Energie is already developing a partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and they have secured Eastman Chemical as their first customer.

Commissioner Kisber Signs MOU, Presents Invest in Tennessee Seminars

ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber recently traveled to China and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Beijing Shunyi District to promote trade and investment between Tennessee and the Chinese city. Shunyi is located northeast of Beijing and is home to China's largest airport. According to Beijing's comprehensive urban planning, Shunyi is noted as one of the new key towns. With its modern manufacturing industry, airport logistics, exhibition industry and sports leisure, Shunyi is shaping itself up as an international airport hub, airport-related industry center and modern manufacturing base. Well-known companies and products, such as Panasonic, Sony, Hyundai, YanJing Beer, Huiyuan Fruit Juice, Federal Express, ZJS Express and Air China Cargo have operations in the district. Rowing and kayaking will take place in Shunyi this summer as part of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

 

Invest in Tennessee seminars were held last week in China in cooperation with CIPA, the Investment Promotion Agency that is part of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.  Representatives from Chinese businesses who are poised for international growth were invited by CIPA to attend the presentations.  The investment seminars positioned Tennessee as a premier business location for those who wish to enter the U.S. market. Seminars were held in Beijing, Guangzhou, Dalian, and Hangzhou by Commissioner Matt Kisber, Tennessee China Development Center's Li Weaver, ECD's Lori Odom and Assistant Commissioner Paul LaGrange.

 

Polk County's remote Sylco Mountains became the site of Vineland, a unique experiment in social living by Rosine Parmentier. In the 1840s, with the aid of a New York associate, Parmentier purchased 50,000 acres of land and encouraged French, German, Italian, and Austrian colonization of the area. Their grandiose plans for a profitable wine making industry apparently failed to materialize, though, and most of the colonists migrated elsewhere.

Source:
Tennessee Encyclopedia

May 8
Dyersburg
Commissioner Kisber will attend the NSK Steering Systems Grand Opening at 10 a.m.

May 9 
Humbolt
Commissioner Kisber will attend the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival at 9:30 a.m.

May 12
Memphis
Commissioner Kisber will attend the Tennessee-China Healthcare Exchange inaugural program at 9 a.m.

Johnson City
Commissioner Kisber will attend the Tennessee-China Healthcare Exchange dinner at 6 p.m.

May 13
Lawrenceburg
Commissioner Kisber will attend the Lawrenceburg Industrial Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 3 p.m.

May 14
Nashville
Commissioner Kisber will attend at TBED Leaders Discussion at 11 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.

Business Development

BERO

Upcoming BERO, Small Business Events Now Online

For the latest small business seminars and workshops, visit ECD's Upcoming Events page by clicking here. You will find information on a variety of subjects, including Community Express Loan Workshops, upcoming TDOT Breakfast Meetings, Doing Business with the Government Workshop, the 2nd Annual Mid-South Economic & Business Development Summit, Government Contracting Workshop and the Women Business Owners' Opportunities Conference.  Check back often as more events will be added on a regular basis.

ECD's Sharon Taylor McKinney to receive the 2008 TAP Long Haul Award

Sharon Taylor McKinney

The Tennessee Alliance for Progress will recognize West Tennessee BERO Enterprise Specialist Sharon Taylor McKinney on May 16 for her outstanding work in the area of economic development for minorities and women with a Long Haul Award.

TAP is a think/act tank with a mission to create healthy families and communities in Tennessee. The organization believes in true political and economic democracy, encouraging people to participate in decisions affecting their lives. 

The awards celebration will be held at St. Ann's Episcopal Church in Nashville at 6:30 p.m. and will feature a silent auction, live music and keynote speaker Jim Hightower, a humorist, author, radio commentator and publisher of the Hightower Lowdown.

Community Development

Local Planning

New Flood Maps Taking Effect

Four West Tennessee and one East Tennessee counties were notified by FEMA this week of an effective date for their new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM's). On November 5, maps will become effective for Fayette, Gibson, Obion and Weakley counties in West Tennessee and Rhea County in East Tennessee. Local Planning Office staff will prepare the proper ordinances for each of the local governments to adopt prior to November 5, in order for them to remain in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Upon their local adoption, these maps are effective for local flood plain management purposes. For insurance purposes, these maps will become effective November 5.

Additional information concerning the NFIP or the status of the FIRM mapping program in Tennessee can be obtained by contacting Stanley Harrison at (423) 434-6476 or stanley.harrison@state.tn.us.

Grants and Loans

Staff Member Completes Training

Oliver Dent in the Grants and Loans Division-Office of Program Management recently completed training at the National Development Council's ED 202 - Real Estate Finance course for financial training in Dallas, Texas. This is NDC's third course in the Economic Development Finance Professional certification program and presents a detailed look at commercial real estate development.  NDC's (EDFP) Certification Program is a rigorous series that explores the skills essential for the successful practice of economic development.

Main Street

TN Preservation Conference Planned

The Tennessee Preservation Trust will present the Statewide Preservation Conference and Main Street Summit June 5-7, 2008, in Maury County. The Columbia and Spring Hill communities will offer historic venues for educational sessions and workshops. Topics include rural conservation/preservation initiatives; tax credits for historic rehabilitation; revolving funds, easements and preservation; comprehensive economic planning; preserving natural and cultural resources; preserving historic downtown theaters and other key preservation issues specific to Tennessee. For additional information, contact the Tennessee Preservation Trust at www.tennesseepreservationtrust.org.

In addition to the conference, Tennessee Main Street Program Managers from across the state will meet in downtown Columbia for the Summer Managers' Quarterly Main Street Meeting prior to the TPT Conference on Thursday, June 5. For additional information contact Kimberly Nyberg, Program Manager at kimberly.nyberg@state.tn.us.

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