July 30, 2008

Medtronic Expansion To Create 600 Jobs

Left to right: Mark Herbison, senior VP, Economic Development, Memphis Regional Chamber; Memphis Councilman Joe Brown; Memphis Councilwoman Janis Fullilove; Commissioner Kisber; Stephen La Neve, senior VP and president of Spinal and Biologics for Medtronic; and W.W. Herenton, mayor of Memphis.

ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber joined officials from the Memphis-based spinal division of Medtronic, along with Memphis and Shelby County officials, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the company's newest building last week. The new 180,000 square-foot facility, which is expected to create roughly 600 jobs, is part of a multiyear expansion project.

The average salary for employees in the new building will be $76,000. The expansion project represents a capital investment of more than $110 million since 1994.

Another significant expansion is currently underway in Memphis.

Tennessee Business Climate Ranks Among Best

Tennessee is fourth in the nation for best business climate, according to a new survey by Development Counsellors, International. The comprehensive assessment polled corporate executives with site selection responsibilities to determine the states they perceived as having the most effective strategies and techniques in economic development marketing.

"This study confirms that our efforts to create a better business climate in Tennessee are being recognized by key decision makers," Governor Phil Bredesen said. "We know one size does not fit all and each company has distinct business needs, and that's driving continued investment by new companies in Tennessee."

The report, "A View From Corporate America: Winning Strategies in Economic Development Marketing," has been conducted every three years since 1996, and Tennessee's fourth place ranking is its highest-ever finish.

"This latest ranking is a testament to the strategic vision and business sense of Governor Bredesen.  His knowledge of business strategy led to the creation of the Jobs Cabinet and significant changes in our incentive offerings. He knows what businesses need to be successful," ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber said.

The survey audience was a random selection of corporate executives and site consultants representing U.S. companies with annual revenues of $25 million or more. Texas ranked first, followed by North Carolina, Georgia and Florida, which tied for fourth with Tennessee. Survey respondents also chose China, India and Mexico as the three most favorable countries for investment. 

To view the complete report, visit www.theleaderinmarketingplaces.com.  For more information on the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, visit www.tnecd.gov. 

Governor's Conference Fast Approaching

The 55th Annual Governor's Conference will be September 15 and 16, and the deadline to receive the conference hotel rate at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center is less than three weeks away. August 15 is the last day to reserve a room for the discounted rate of $107 per night (plus tax, parking and a daily $15 resort fee). The room rate will be honored three days before and three days after the conference, subject to availability. To reserve a room, call 1-888-777-6779 and provide the code N-TDEC8. Or register online here.

The deadline to apply for the Governor's Award for Trade Excellence is August 22. Honors will be given to small-, medium- and large-sized Tennessee companies that demonstrate excellence in globalizing their business. Apply for the award or nominate a company here.

For general information about the Governor's Conference, visit the conference Web site.

The Cumberland County Playhouse is now the only major non-profit professional performing arts resource in rural Tennessee, and one of the 10 largest professional theaters in rural America.

Source:
Cumberland County Playhouse

Thursday, July 31
Nashville, Tenn. Commissioner Kisber will appear on the News Channel 5+ MorningLine Show at 8 a.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.

Community Development

Main Street

McMinnville Biz Owners Go To Colo.

Jon Schallert's Destination Bootcamp class of July 2008.

Main Street McMinnville is using their Main Street Innovation Grant for a special learning opportunity for downtown businesses. Downtown McMinnville business owners Pam Wilson of All-O-K'sion, Brad Kaplan of Capalano's Cafe and Roxie St John of Roxie and Darla's Shopping Bag, returned this week from a Colorado-based business improvement "Destination Bootcamp", where they learned hundreds of new methods to bring more customers and tourists to their rural community. 

The Bootcamp was created to teach independent business owners how to reposition their businesses as consumer destinations. The group, upon their return to their downtown, will teach fellow businesses what they have learned and implement the strategies together as a team, collaborating as a single unit. Main Street McMinnville Executive Director, Chris Wilson joined the group on their trip and hopes by using the "Destination Business" strategies, downtown McMinnville businesses can identify their unique position in the marketplace, emphasize their strongest points and successfully coexist and with superstores, chains and their own competition, while significantly impacting the local economy. 

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Local Planning

Communities Receive FIRM Maps

Local community officials in Grundy County received preliminary copies of their new Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) last week.  The community will have 30 to 45 days to review the maps prior to meeting with FEMA, study contractors and Local Planning Office staff. This meeting will allow them an opportunity to ask questions and discuss any mapping problems with FEMA. 

After the meeting, FEMA will place two public notices in local newspapers to advise property owners of the new maps and locations where they can view the maps.  The public will then have 30 days to contact FEMA regarding any concerns they might identify. If no concerns are identified, the mayor will be sent a Letter of Final Determination that will establish an effective map date six months after the date of that letter. This will give the community time to adopt the new maps in order to remain in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Questions regarding the FIRM mapping process or the NFIP may be directed to Stanley Harrison at (423) 434-6476 or stanley.harrison@state.tn.us.

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Program Management

Tenn. Housing Authorities Are Honored

The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) held their summer conference in Nashville last week. Their theme was Building Communities Together: Not Just the Same Ole Song. The agency Awards of Merits were announced at the conference, and Tennessee claimed the following honorees:

Johnson City Housing Authority for their Tree Planting Partnership: The partnership subsequently improved community appearance, decreased energy(electricity) dependence, stimulated resident interest and involvement in the beautification of natural resources and improved the overall quality of life.

Murfreesboro Housing Authority for the Project Go! Gardening Class: The class was created to get the children and teens to take ownership of their neighborhood while learning the benefits of proper nutrition by preparing, planting and harvesting vegetables. Also the housing authority, through collaboration with Primary Care & Hope Clinic, created a clinic on site at the Franklin Heights development which provided the public housing residents with access to convenient and free medical care.

Paula Lovett, a director of Grants and Loans at ECD, was a presenter at the conference on Community Development.