July 2, 2008

Export Award Applications Being Accepted

 

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Matt Kisber this week announced the state will begin accepting applications for the 2008 Governor's Award for Trade Excellence (GATE). The awards will be given at the 55th Annual Governor's Conference on Economic and Community Development at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville on September 15 and 16.

"As Tennessee companies take a greater role in the global economy, we're fortunate to be able to recognize those businesses extending our state's reach into markets around the world," Governor Bredesen said. "Tennessee produces many high quality, industry leading products and growing the customer base for those products can create jobs here in Tennessee."

The awards are given to Tennessee companies that have shown strong growth in exporting in three categories: large companies (250 or more employees), medium sized companies (fewer than 250 employees) and small companies (25 employees or fewer). Companies may nominate themselves or be nominated by a trade association, customer or a person familiar with the company's achievements. Nominations can be submitted online at the ECD web site at www.tnecd.gov or an application can be downloaded and mailed to ECD. The department, along with international trade experts from the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Nashville, will review applications and make recommendations to the Governor and ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber for final approval. Application criteria and nominating details are available on the ECD web site.

The deadline for applications is August 22, 2008.

"We've seen lots of Tennessee companies generate strong growth by developing overseas customers," said ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber. "Companies, especially in strong growth regions like Asia and Europe, tell us they know and respect products made in Tennessee and with a weak dollar, those products are more affordable than ever."

Questions related to the application process can be directed to Nicole Gagliano at the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development by emailing Nicole.Gagliano@state.tn.us or by calling (615) 253-1390.


Carothers Parkway Now Open to Traffic

 
Commissioner Matt Kisber at the ceremony to open Carothers Parkway in Franklin. The road provides access to the new Nissan building.

ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber attended a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday to officially open Carothers Parkway in Franklin. The road provides access to the new Nissan facilities and is part of an ongoing effort to put necessary infrastructure in place before the facility's grand opening later this month.

"The opening of Carothers Parkway represents an important step in Franklin's growth as a destination for corporate headquarters," Kisber said. "What we're celebrating today is an example of the strong partnership between ECD and TDOT at the state level and the local leaders here in Franklin and Williamson County."

ECD contributed to the project by providing FastTrack Infrastructure Development funding.


Tenn. Recognized as Biotech Research Leader

Genome Technology, a highly regarded national publication, has listed Tennessee among nine emerging clusters for biotech research. The article mentions Oak Ridge National Laboratory. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Vanderbilt University and the Cool Springs Life Sciences Center.

The magazine chose the emerging clusters based on regions that have recently put significant effort into luring the biotech industry or encouraging biomedical research. Other clusters honored include China, Texas and Denver/Boulder, Colo.

Grant Writing and Management Training

The State of Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Research and Planning Division and Grant Writing USA will assist in hosting a two-day Grant Writing workshop in Nashville, July 24-25, 2008.  Beginning and experienced grant writers from city, county and state agencies as well as nonprofits, K-12, colleges and universities are encouraged to attend. Tuition is $425 and includes all materials: workbook and accompanying 220MB resource CD that's packed full of tools and more than 200 sample grant proposals. 

Then, August 7-8, 2008, we will present a two day Grant Management workshop. If your agency receives or plans to receive government grants, this class is for you.  Federal pass-through grant managers and staff are also encouraged to attend. This is also the perfect follow-up training to our writing workshop. Tuition is $595 and includes Grant Writing USA's 450-page grant management workbook and reference guide.

Attend both the grant writing and the grant management training sessions and get $100 off the combined cost of tuition. Purchase orders, checks and credit cards are welcome. Multi-enrollment discounts are available. Tuition payment is not required at the time of enrollment. Seating is limited, online reservations are necessary and walk-ins are not allowed.

For more information including venue location and maps, graduate testimonials and instant, online enrollment, please visit: http://grantwritingusa.com/events.html.

ECD's Address Correction

ECD's address has changed to 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave., 11th Floor, Nashville, Tenn. 37243-1102, not 312 Rosa L. Parks Blvd. Please note the correction and update your contact information.

Tennessee Quick Facts

The Carroll County Courthouse in Huntingdon is modeled after the Lincoln Memorial.

Source:
See Tennessee

Schedule Alert

There are no public events scheduled.

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

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News Briefs

Business Development

BERO

BERO Presents Business Plan Award

Thirty-four Nashville entrepreneurs set out 18 months ago to complete the Nashville Business Incubation Center's Business Plan University, hoping to emerge with both a viable business model and a prize in NBIC's business plan competition. BERO presented the third place prize at the awards ceremony this week.

Hendersonville-based Higher Ground Training Inc. won the top prizes, valued at $30,000, including $12,500 in cash, incubator office space for a year and professional services. HGT provides career workplace development services and is a state-certified minority business enterprise. HGT owners Elaine and Clint Boyd won both first prize and the annual Jennie W. Lemons Award.

Mountain Jim's Ice Cream won NBIC's second prize of $10,000 in cash and services for proprietor Jeff Stewart, who produces and sells "all natural, super-premium ice cream." 

The online marketing firm of Brad Cowart won the $5,000 third place package. His business provides web design, e-commerce development, online marketing, social media and support services.

NBIC was founded in 1986 with support from Tennessee Valley Authority. The Center is associated with the Tennessee State University College of Business and located opposite the TSU downtown campus at 10th Avenue and Charlotte.

Community Development

Grants and Loans

Bredesen Recommends ARC Grants

Governor Phil Bredesen this week announced the recommendation of 17 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grants to assist state and local agencies, governmental entities, local governing boards or nonprofit organizations with infrastructure improvements. 

"These grants are crucial components of economic growth in Tennessee's 50 Appalachian counties, and we appreciate the ARC's investment in our communities," Bredesen said.

The following is a list of the recommended grants:

Byrdstown Water Storage $500,000
Celina Sewer System $500,000
Clay County Water Lines Extension $273,600
Clearfork Community Institute $75,000
Dandridge Water Line Extension $500,000
Ducktown Downtown Improvements $125,857
Chanute/Pall Mall Utility District $268,000
Grundy County Water System $500,000
Hawkins County Water System $500,000
Huntsville Sewer System $251,080
North Anderson County Boys and Girls Club $15,625
Pickett County Water Line Extension $136,000
Polk County Old Line Railroad Restoration $55,198
Rhea County Medical Center $256,500
Sullivan County $500,000
White County Museum $31,912

The Appalachian Regional Commission is a federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life.

Local Planning

Cumberland Communities Strategize

On June 18, the Alliance for the Cumberlands held its summer meeting at beautiful Falcon Rest near McMinnville, Tenn. The Alliance is a partnership of public and private organizations committed to protecting the Cumberland Mountains and Cumberland Plateau Region. Their focus is to inform and encourage communities of the Cumberlands to address challenges in protecting and conserving resources while simultaneously pursuing their economic goals.

At this meeting, Alliance members heard from Paul Sloan, Deputy Commissioner of the TN Department of Environment and Conservation, and UT Professor Dave Ostermeier. Tim Roach, director of ECD's Local Planning Assistance Office, also spoke to the members about engaging local planning processes and planning commissions in order to promote their preservation and economic goals.

Striking a balance that preserves physical and cultural resources while successfully achieving a sustainable level of economic activity is a challenge for any community, specifically those in the Cumberlands, where economic development has been limited in the past, but the area is now seeing an explosion of development as new homes are built. Formerly isolated communities are seeing an influx of new residents seeking services and economic opportunities, but who are drawn by the natural beauty of the area.

Local Planning works with cities and counties to strengthen local planning processes that allow for community-wide input and seek to inform decisions with quality information.  Members of the Alliance, and all citizens interested in seeing Tennessee achieve economic prosperity while protecting those places and resources that are unique to our area, are encouraged to visit the Alliance Web site and look for ways to become involved with development and preservation policies in their local communities.

For more information on ECD's Local Planning Assistance Office, call Tim Roach at (615) 741-2211, or email tim.roach@state.tn.us.

Recent News

Times Free Press: "Tenn ranked best for business in tort liability study"

Tennessee is the most business-friendly state when it comes to litigation, according to a new study.

In its annual boardroom guide to state litigation climates, the American Justice Partnership Foundation listed Tennessee as the state with the lowest risks of lawsuits against business. The foundation, a group that advocates litigation reform to limit liability risks and costs for businesses, said Tennessee had a relatively low rate of litigation against corporate interests last year.

State courts were judged to be more favorable for business than in many other states, according to the foundation, which uses court filings and judicial decisions to compile its list.

"We're moving in the right direction," said state Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, who pushed a measure through the Tennessee Legislature this year to limit medical malpractice filings.

The state's trial lawyers, however, said Tennessee's favorable ranking in the business litigation climate proves that the state's existing laws don't need to change.



Business TN: "Destinations of Choice"

People looking at Tennessee as a place to live after retirement list reasons ranging from affordable housing to a four-season climate not found in traditional retirement havens such as Florida. The state's tax structure doesn't hurt, either.

"Many people choose to retire to Tennessee because there's no state income tax," says Karin Miller with AARP of Tennessee.

As the program manager for a new state initiative to recruit retirees, Ramay Winchester relies on the unique qualities of communities throughout the state to appeal to a new generation of retirees looking to do anything but settle down. She says the state's lack of income tax is certainly an incentive, but judging from the inquiries into the Retire Tennessee program, the state is moving up as a destination thanks to its thriving neighborhoods.

"Many retirees seek out vibrant main street communities with viable downtowns," Winchester says.

And once retirees move to an area, they provide a significant economic benefit.

"Statistics say retirees who move to the community spend a majority of their money there," Winchester says. "About 80 to 90 percent of expendable income is spent locally."
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