commerce february 2013

INSIDE: Progressive Marketing Summit pg. 52 + Monthly Economic Indicators pg. 54

EDITOR LORI FULLER [email protected]

DESIGN LADDY FIELDS

WRITER LYNSEY WILSON

CONTACT THE KNOXVILLE CHAMBER(865) 637-4550 www.knoxvillechamber.com

PRESIDENT & CEO MICHAEL EDWARDS

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RHONDA RICE

ECONOMIC [email protected]

FINANCE & [email protected]

[email protected]

PUBLIC POLICY & [email protected]

CENTRAL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (865) 246-2654 [email protected]

THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (865) 546-5887

TENNESSEE SMALL BUSINESSDEVELOPMENT CENTER (865) 246-2663

LEADERSHIP KNOXVILLE(865) 523-9137

U.S. DEPT. OF COMMERCE EXPORT ASSISTANCE CENTER (865) 545-4637

NEW MEMBERS / NEW PREMIER PARTNERS

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

Top Achievers are recognized for their countless volunteer hours and dedication to the Ambassador Program’s mission of serving as an active volunteer extension of the Knoxville Chamber to cultivate, promote, and maintain positive relationships between the Knoxville Chamber, its members, and the community.

THE KNOXVILLE CHAMBER’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

KNOXVILLE CHAMBER 44

Ally Insurance Co.(865) 255-7025www.allyinsuranceco.comInsurance

Banks & Jones, Attorneys(865) 546-2141 www.banksjones.comLegal Services: Attorneys

Clarity Pointe Knoxville(865) 951-2985www.claritypointeknoxville.comSocial Services: Senior Services

Employee Screening Services, ESS(865) 388-1101Employment, Career, & Staffing Services

HapE Hippos(865) 384-8803Computer & IT Services: Mobile App Development

Jets Pizza Farragut(865) 675-0505www.jetspizza.comRestaurants - Eating & Drinking Places

Knoxville Tactical(865) 362-5134www.knoxvilletactical.comShopping: Specialty

Law Office of Jerry Givens(865) 357-0807www.attorneyinknoxvilletn.comLegal Services

Maple Sunset Apartments(865) 599-0965www.maplesunsetapts.comApartments

Mason Livesay Scientific(865) 771-8132www.masonlivesay.comBusiness & Professional Services: Technical Services

Muscular Dystrophy Association, Inc.(865) 588-1632www.mda.orgAssociations & Organizations

Rodan + Fields Dermatologists - Lynda Blankenship (865) 850-8697www.lyndablankenship.myrandf.comShopping: Specialty

Sherrill Hills Retirement(865) 693-0551www.rlcommunities.comSocial Services: Senior Services

Smart Toys and Books(865) 691-1154www.smarttoysandbooks.comShopping: Specialty

Southeast Bumpers(865) 577-6786www.southeastbumpers.comAutomotive Sales, Parts, & Service: Parts

Suzani Styles(865) 607-4066www.suzanistyles.comShopping: Shoes

Tallent Title Group, Inc.(865) 357-7717 www.tallenttg.comReal Estate: Title Companies

Tallent Title Group, Inc. - Suburban Road(865) 851-7574www.tallenttg.comReal Estate: Title Companies

The Village Marketing Group(606) 219-2492www.thevillagemg.comBusiness & Professional Services: Adver-tising Agencies

CONNECT with the

CHAMBER

Doug Lawyer @knoxoakridgeIVJennifer Evans @knoxevans

Kyle Touchstone @knoxecondevguyMark Field @field101

Michelle Kiely @mkiely1

facebook.com/KnoxvilleChamber

twitter.com/k_chamberCHAMBER STAFF

TOP ACHIEVERS

Tovah Love Photography(865) 363-3599Photography

Town House Interiors(865) 777-0517www.townhouseinteriors.comResidential Services: Interior Design

UniFirst Corporation(865) 675-5453www.unifirst.comBusiness & Professional Services: Uniforms

White Table(865) 851-7175www.whitetable.comEvent Planning, Catering, & Venues: Rentals

K N OX V I L L E C H A M B E R | 48

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

CAMERON PUCKETT BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

DANIEL MONDAY SLAMDOT, INC.

RENA AMERSONTILLMAN COMPANIES, LLC

Economic Devel-opment Project Manager Kyle Touchstone presents Executive Assistant Jenny Anderton with December’s Cham-ber Employee of the Month award

Executive Assistant Jenny Anderton presents Art Director Laddy Fields with January’s Chamber Employee of the Month award

K N OX V I L L E C H A M B E R | 49K N OX V I L L E C H A M B E R |

As the 108th General Assembly convenes in Nashville, recent rule changes will force lawmakers to be more selective. In an un-precedented decision, the Tennessee House of Representatives voted to cap the number of bills each member can introduce to 15 per year, a move that based on the number of representatives

will theoretically reduce the number of filings by 40 percent. Proponents of the measure hope the change will streamline the legislative process and produce higher quality legislation.

Additional changes in the House include prohibiting representatives from casting votes for absent colleagues and the reorganization of several commit-tees. In an effort to balance the workload between committees, Speaker Beth Harwell gained approval to divide the State and Local Government Committee as well as the Commerce and Judiciary Committees. She also merged the Conservation and Environment Committee with the Agriculture Committee while eliminating Children and Family Affairs and transferring the majority of its responsibilities to the new Civil Justice Committee.

As legislators attempt to navigate these changes, they are also armed with the position of state and regional chambers on bills affecting the business community. Focused heavily on education and economic development, the legislative agendas of both local and statewide groups support measures aimed at creating a skilled workforce and increasing job growth.

“We have worked with both our regional counterparts in Blount County and Oak Ridge and with the chambers in Chattanooga, Nashville, and Memphis to develop legislative agendas for both the Innovation Valley region and the state of Tennessee for the benefit of the business community,” said Jennifer Evans, vice president of public policy at the Knoxville Chamber.

EDUCATIONRecognizing the vital role a well-prepared workforce plays in both boosting

the region’s attractiveness to new and expanding businesses and in supplying skilled employees to the existing business community, initiatives supporting quality education are high priorities on this year’s chamber agenda.

“A skilled workforce is key to our regional economic success,” said Evans. “It is important that the legislature support reforms from the last few sessions and defeat any efforts to derail their success.”

Chief among these previous reforms is the teacher evaluation system, designed to assess classroom instruction and identify areas of improvement

See “Legislative Agenda” on pg. 50

REGIONAL,STATE CHAMBERSSET LEGISLATIVE AGENDA


system wide. “The evaluation system provides meaningful data indicating areas where

educators are excelling and areas where there is room for growth,” Evans said. “Timely access to this quantifiable information allows administrators and educa-tors to make staffing and instructional decisions that can significantly improve student outcomes.”

Another initiative aimed at ensuring ongoing progress for public education is continued opposition to the election of school superintendents.

“Appointed school superintendents are accountable for their performance to an elected board of education,” said Evans. “This allows their primary focus to be the implementation of strategies that improve the success rate of their gradu-ates and not on campaigning for reelection.”

The Big Four Chambers – Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, and Nash-ville – also support the incorporation of student improvement on the ACT into the state’s accountability system, and on a regional level, chambers continue to advocate for fully providing the resources necessary for schools to budget responsibly.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTWith projects such as the $6.5 billion Uranium Processing Facility creating

unprecedented opportunity for existing business expansion and new business recruitment across both the state and Innovation Valley Region, the chambers’ regional legislative agenda urges lawmakers to create significant, transparent, and consistent economic development incentives.

“The state of Tennessee and Innovation Valley are consistently ranked as one of the top locations for business in the nation,” said Doug Lawyer, vice president of economic development at the Knoxville Chamber. “Should the opportunity arise to attract key industry sectors, lawmakers must be prepared to assist in these ventures.”

Two regional legislative objectives also aimed at ensuring Innovation Valley continues to gain ground among site selection consultants and economic devel-opment professionals are the expansion of regional general aviation capacity and

“Legislative Agenda” continued from pg. 49 the completion of Pellissippi Parkway.“The Knoxville Chamber is supportive of efforts to promote regional eco-

nomic development, and in concept supports the construction of a general aviation airport in Oak Ridge,” said Rhonda Rice, executive vice president at the Chamber. “However, the Chamber’s support is contingent upon confir-mation that the Oak Ridge airport will have no negative impact on service at McGhee Tyson Airport.”

The proposed 5,000-foot general aviation airport will be located on a brownfield site at the East Tennessee Technology Park in Oak Ridge and will not be used for commercial air service.

These efforts to connect the Innovation Valley Region also include contin-ued support for the completion of the remaining 4.4 miles of the Pellissippi Parkway, making the area easily accessible to Department of Energy proper-ties in Oak Ridge, McGhee Tyson Airport, and the University of Tennessee.

“The Pellissippi Parkway extension provides some of the best access to transportation infrastructure and innovative technology in the region,” said Lawyer. “Completion of the project is crucial for economic development, providing critical access to property identified for technology, research, development, and manufacturing.”

A Tennessee Department of Transportation study found completion of the extension, which would cost the state just under $97 million, could generate as many as 19,000 jobs for Innovation Valley counties.

ADDITIONAL AREAS OF FOCUSAlong with continuing to advocate for advancements in education and

furthering business growth, the chambers’ joint state legislative agenda also supports the right of business and property owners to prohibit fire arms on their property as well as the establishment of a consistent state policy regarding local minimum wage for private businesses. The agenda also rec-ommends that proposed bills be subject to an analysis of the financial impact on business and jobs within Tennessee.

“These agendas only serve as a guideline for those bills impacting busi-ness that we expect to be introduced during this legislative session,” said Evans. “The individual chambers will continue to meet and address any relevant bills that appear on the docket.”


In April 2012 Holly Warlick was named the new Lady Vols head basketball coach, stepping into a role vacated by longtime mentor and legendary coach Pat Summitt. At a December 13 breakfast, she provided the Chamber’s Pre-mier Partners with insight into the impact of her new role and discussed her plans to continue the program’s winning tradition. The exclusive event attracted over 75 attendees and was sponsored by Bell & Associates Construction, a full service general contracting firm whose portfolio includes the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and Nashville’s new Music City Convention Center.

New Lady Vols Head Basketball Coach Addresses Premier Partners

Coach Warlick flanked by Allan Cox and Keith Pyle of Bell & Associates Construction, sponsor of the event.

Coach Holly Warlick was the featured speaker at a December Premier Partner event.

SPONSORED BY:


PROGRESSIVE MARKETING SUMMIT

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2013 • 11:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. The Square Room & The Knoxville Chamber$75 (Lunch will be provided) • Visit “Events & Programs” on knoxvillechamber.com to register!

The Knoxville Chamber and Knoxville Chapter of the American Marketing Association have partnered for the third annual Progressive Mar-keting Summit. It will be held Thursday, February 7, from 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and kicks-off at The Square Room at 4 Market Square. Regis-

tration for the half-day summit is $75 and includes lunch. Visit knoxvillechamber.com to register.

The supercharged, half-day marketing conference will leave attendees with concrete takeaways to implement courtesy of an impressive lineup of innovators, experts and front-line marketers. Covering trends, topics, and case studies, the Progressive Marketing Summit prom-

ises to be a dynamic educational event attendees won’t soon forget.

Presented by: Co-hosted by:

11:30 a.m. – Noon Registration & Networking The Square Room at Café 4 – 4 Market Square

12:00 – 12:10 p.m. Welcome & Icebreaker The Square Room at Café 4 – 4 Market Square

12:10 – 1:10 p.m. Keynote: Tom Webster, Edison Research Trends, Insights & Lessons: What Marketers Can Learn from the 2012 Elections The Square Room at Café 4 – 4 Market Square

1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Panel Discussion: How to Market to Generation “M” (Mobile) The Square Room at Café 4 – 4 Market Square Moderator: Laura Bower, The Tombras Group Panelists: • Tamsen Webster, Allen & Gerritsen • David Jacobs, The Tombras Group • Shane Rhyne, Ackermann PR

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Keynote: Brian Winter, Carpathia Hosting & Pyxl Measuring Digital: How to Track Marketing Activities & Quantify ROI Knoxville Chamber – 17 Market Square

3:35 – 4:35 p.m. Panel Discussion: The ROI of Mobile Apps: 3 Case Studies Knoxville Chamber – 17 Market Square Moderator: Jeremy Floyd, Bluegill Creative Panelists: • Lynsay Caylor Russell, Pilot Flying J • Margie Nichols, University of Tennessee • Renee Monhollon, Knoxville News Sentinel

4:45 p.m. Happy Hour Downstairs at Latitude 35 – 16 Market Square


Italian tile manufacturer, Ceramica Del Conca, an-nounced its plans to build the company’s first North American facility in Loudon County’s Sugar Limb In-dustrial Park. The 320,000-square-foot manufacturing plant and U.S. headquarters operation represents a

$70 million investment and the creation of 178 jobs in the Innovation Valley region.“This is a significant victory for Innovation Valley,” said Doug Lawyer, Vice Presi-

dent of Economic Development at the Knoxville Chamber. “Del Conca will not only

Italian Tile Manufacturer Relocates to Innovation Valleyhave a positive economic impact, but this expansion also promotes our region as a viable choice for other international companies looking to increase their global presence.”

Founded in 1979, Del Conca uses high-tech manufacturing processes to meet growing market demand and is internationally recognized for its quality products and innovative design. The company’s new North American headquarters will service its major U.S. customers including Lowe’s, Arizona Tile, and Mannington Tile Shop.

Tomcat USA, a leading concert lighting manufacturer, is expected to invest $2 million and create 50 new jobs with their plans to open a manufacturing facility in Knox County’s Forks of the River Industrial Park.

The company, which specializes in engineering aluminum trussing and other structural components for the entertainment industry, plans to consolidate opera-tions from their facilities in Mexico and Texas to the 60,000 square foot Knox County location.

Tomcat USA Reshores Jobs from Mexico to Knox County“I am looking forward to having the Tomcat facility located in Knoxville and to

continue growing the business with the exceptional workforce we have in this area,” said Mike Garl, president of Tomcat USA.

A member of the Milos Group, the world’s largest aluminum trussing and staging manufacturers, the company’s client list ranges from rock and roll legends Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones to Broadway productions of Wicked and The Lion King.


MONTHLY ECONOMIC INDICATORS (Nov. 2012)

WORKFORCE

INFLATION RATES - CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI) - ALL ITEMS

HOUSING MARKET

RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS

AIR SERVICE (MCGHEE-TYSON AIRPORT)SALES TAX REVENUE - STATE & LOCAL ($)

RETAIL SALES - NATIONAL (IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)

NOTE - Knoxville MSA includes: Anderson, Blount, Knox, Loudon & Union Counties

Resident Labor ForceKnox Co.Knoxville MSA TennesseeU.S.

Non-Ag EmploymentKnoxville MSATennessee

Available LaborKnox Co.Knoxville MSATennessee

Unemployment RatesKnox Co.Knoxville MSATennesseeU.S.

Nov. 2012239,480377,410

3,104,000154,953,000

341,0002,735,600

13,97022,910

242,910

5.25.46.97.4

Oct. 2012240,810379,840

3,126,800155,779,000

340,2002,718,100

15,74026,010

270,990

5.96.27.87.5

Nov. 2011238,430374,040

3,118,800153,683,000

336,9002,704,800

16,79027,760

295,060

6.36.68.48.2

% ChangeOct. ’12-Nov ‘12

-0.6-0.6-0.7-0.5

0.20.6

-11.2-11.9-10.4

-0.7-0.8-0.9-0.1

% ChangeNov. ’11-Nov. ‘12

0.40.9

-0.50.8

1.21.1

-16.8-17.5-17.7

-1.1-1.2-1.5-0.8

Sources: Tennessee Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Source: Knoxville Area Association of Realtors

Source: Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority

*Southeast Region Avg.U.S. Avg.

Nov. ’11-‘121.41.8

Oct. ’11-‘121.92.2

Nov. ’10-‘113.93.4

% ChangeOct. ’11-Nov. ‘12

-0.5-0.4


-2.5-1.6

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics *South – City Size Class B/C

Source: Tennessee Dept. of Revenue

Source: U.S. Census Bureau – Advance Monthly Retail Trade Report

State Sales TaxKnox Co.Knoxville MSATennessee

Local Sales TaxKnox Co.Knoxville MSA

Nov. 201244,363,18661,692,276

557,322,909

12,331,07217,278,043

Oct. 201245,323,37163,356,009

575,340,846

12,763,31217,744,272

Nov. 201145,728,36863,982,687

542,131,051

12,797,79217,858,864


-2.1-2.6-3.1

-3.4-2.6


-3.0-3.62.8

-3.6-3.3

CategoryTotal Retail SalesBuilding MaterialsClothing StoresElectronics & AppliancesFood & Beverage StoresFood Svcs & Drinking PlacesFurniture & Home FurnishingsGasoline StationsGeneral Merchandise StoresHealth & Personal Care StoresMiscellaneous StoresMotor Vehicle & Parts SalesNon-store RetailersSporting Goods/Books/ Hobby/Music

Dec. 2012468,69321,85031,65012,80457,68345,671

9,54542,23972,08625,22211,76674,94251,166

12,069

Nov. 2012415,890

24,47922,0729,901

53,53142,9648,622

43,86257,21922,38010,25569,87042,812

7,923

Dec. 2011457,46822,06530,89312,85056,46643,010

9,26742,05874,63425,38710,97471,67446,666

11,524

% ChangeNov. ’12-Dec. ‘12

12.7-10.743.429.3

7.86.3

10.7-3.726.012.714.77.3

19.5

52.3

% ChangeDec. ’11-Dec. ‘12

2.5-1.02.5

-0.42.26.23.00.4

-3.4-0.67.24.69.6

4.7

Residential ClosingsResidential InventoryMedian Residential Price

Nov. 2012918

13,760$145,975

Oct. 20121,025

14,380$148,650

Nov. 2011737

13,825139,075


-10.4-4.3-1.8


24.6-0.55.0

Knoxville (City)

Knox Co.

Knoxville MSA

Tennessee

TotalSingle-FamilyMulti-Family




Nov. 2012*17170

77752

99972

1,379964415

Nov. 201111110

43412

59572

1,334781553


54.554.5

0.0

79.182.9

0.0

67.870.2

0.0

3.423.4

-24.9

*All 2012 building permit data is preliminary and therefore subject to revision throughout the year.

Sources: U.S. Housing & Urban Development – SOCDS – State of the Cities Data Systems; U.S. Census Bureau – Building Permits Survey

PassengersCargo

Oct. 2012153,547

7,042,648

Sept. 2012140,696

7,955,911

Oct. 2011167,328

7,486,322

% ChangeSept. ’12-

Oct. ‘129.1

-11.5

% ChangeOct. ’11-Oct. ‘12

-8.2-5.9

EST. 1869


Representing the largest single capital investment project in Tennessee since World War II, the new $6.5

billion Uranium Processing Facility at Y-12 National Security Complex will not only allow for safer, more centralized operations, but the construction phase could prove beneficial for local businesses.

On January 17, over 175 members of the region’s business community gath-ered at The Square Room to gain an understanding of the project’s scope and potential economic impact from John Eschenberg, Federal Project Director for the Uranium Processing Facility.

“It’s vital that our local businesses are not only aware of the project but also understand how they can help their business,” said Rhonda Rice, execu-tive vice president of the Knoxville Chamber. “Though it is still in the design phase, companies must begin the process now in order to be prepared when construction begins.”

With the potential for 60 percent of investment dollars to stay within the region, Eschenberg stressed that number was contingent on local suppliers preparing themselves now to conduct business with the government.

“This facility not only provides a catalyst for attracting new business to the region, but it gives a variety of local suppliers the opportunity to work with the government,” he said. “Our goal now is to inform and educate these compa-nies on effectively doing business with the government and communicate that these nuclear standards are not unachievable.”

Local business owners in attendance found the event not only informative, but timely for those hoping to be involved in the project.

“I appreciate the Chamber being proactive,” said Jennifer Moore, director of marketing and business development at Mesa Technologies. “After hearing the presentation, I not only have a better grasp of what the project will mean for our region but also realize there are steps our company should be taking now to ensure we have the opportunity to participate.”

Companies interested in becoming a vendor for the project can register online at http://supplier.bechtel.com.

$6.5 Billion Uranium Processing Facility Could Benefit Local Business

Leaders on the Uranium Processing Facility project Mark Seely, John Eschen-berg, and Richard Brown were in attendance to discuss how local businesses could benefit from the state’s largest capital project since World War II.

Members of the local business community gathered at the Square Room to learn how the new $6.5 billion dollar Uranium Processing Facility could impact the Innovation Valley region.

NEW RECRUITS:

50 jobs, $2 Million 178 jobs, $70 MillionCapital Investment Capital Investment

EXPANSIONS: 100 jobs 100 jobs, $4.2 Million Capital Investment

80 jobs, $1.8 Million 75 jobs Capital Investment

YEAR-TO-YEAR OVERALL JOB GROWTH FOR OCTOBER:

Knox County October 2011 – 224,454 employed October 2012 – 226,633 employed = 2,179 new jobs

Knox MSA October 2011 – 353,005 employed October 2012 – 356,432 employed = 3,427 new jobsSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; LAUS/Local Area Unemployment Statistics


BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION VISITS: Helping to nurture businesses already located in the region is a significant portion of our economic development efforts. Innovation Valley staff visited with the fol-lowing companies during the quarter: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Gulf & Ohio Railways Johnson & Galyon Knoxville Utilities Board Republic Plastics University of Tennessee Cherokee Farm Visionary Solutions

SITE VISITS BY PROSPECTIVE BUSINESSES: 9 Manufacturing companies visited the Innovation Valley during the quarter to explore doing business here.

MARKETING & RECRUITMENT EFFORTS: Innovation Valley had representatives at the following conferences: • International Economic Development Council Annual Conference, Houston, TX, Oct. 1-4, 2012 • CoreNet Global Summit, Orlando, FL, Oct. 8-10, 2012 • Manufacturing prospect presentation, Tellico, TN, Oct. 12, 2012 • Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic Development, Nashville, TN, Oct. 18-19, 2012 • Site Selection Consultant Event, Columbia, SC, Oct. 27, 2012 • Uranium Processing Facility briefing, Knoxville, TN, Nov. 8, 2012 • Composites World Carbon Fiber Conference, La Jolla, CA, Dec. 4-6, 2012

OTHER EFFORTS: • Propel Small Business Counseling Program – 34 small-, woman-, minority-, and veteran-owned companies took part in business counseling sessions. • Doug Minter, business development manager, served on a panel with the Federal Reserve Board Microenterprise Roundtable • Jennifer Evans, vice president of public policy and education, participated in meetings with Pellissippi State and Knox County Schools to plan for the possibility of opening a Career & Technical Education Magnet High School. • Through a grant provided by Messer Construction, a library of business and education presentations filmed in house is being created. During this quarter, 16 videos equaling 22 hours were recorded and made available in the library.

OCTOBER 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2012Innovation Valley is the regional economic development initiative managed by the Knoxville Chamber.


Answer Financial celebrated the groundbreaking of their new facility in West Knox-ville with (from left to right): Mayor Tim Burchett, City Councilman Duane Greive, Mayor Madeline Rogero, Answer Financial CEO Rob Slinglander, Answer Financial SVP Peter Foley, Jimmy Rodefer of BWA Properties, Josh Bishop of BWA Properties, Chamber CEO Mike Edwards, City Councilman Mark Campen, City Councilman Fin-barr Saunders, John Captain of BWA Properties, and John-David Roddy of Providence Commercial Real Estate.

Answer Financial Breaks Ground on Knoxville Facility

Knoxville and Knox County elected officials and business leaders recently celebrated the groundbreaking of Answer Financial’s new 32,775 square-foot facility located off of Bridgewater Road in West Knoxville. The state-of-the-art facility, which will serve as the company’s primary sales center, is anticipated to open for business by early Fall 2013 and will have the capacity for more than 400 employees. The company currently has a presence in Oak Ridge.

“Once Answer Financial determined they needed a new location, we wanted to make sure they stayed in the Innovation Valley,” said Rhonda Rice, execu-tive vice president of the Knoxville Chamber. “It was important to work with our economic development partners in Oak Ridge to ensure that we retain the 300 existing jobs the company currently represents as well as make it possible for them to grow.”

The developer on the project is Providence Commercial Real Estate, led by John-David Roddy. The new facility will boast a modern design including an open floor plan with large exterior windows for natural light and outdoor views. The land is adjacent to the Ten Mile Creek Greenway, a pedestrian trail connecting the city and county boundaries, providing a convenient route for employees who prefer cycling to work. Associates will enjoy over 75 restaurants, 15 baking loca-tions, and prime retail shopping all within a five minute drive of the facility.

Breaking ground on this new building demonstrates our commitment to the Knoxville area,” stated Rob Slingerland, CEO for Answer Financial. “Knoxville is an important part of our growth plans. We are planning on hiring over 100 people at this location in the next 12-24 months.”

Answer Financial is one of the largest independent personal lines agencies in the nation, providing auto and home insurance policies directly to consumers and through a broad network of marketing partners. Answer Financial serves the growing segment of self-directed consumers searching for the best way to save money on insurance by providing one easy place to Shop, Compare, and Buy Insurance.

UPCOMING EVENTS


FEBRUARY 5Power 30 Speed Networking4 – 7 p.m. • Knoxville Chamber, 17 Market Square

FEBRUARY 7Progressive Marketing SummitCo-presented with Knoxville American Marketing Association11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. • The Square Room, 4 Market Square$75.00 for members and non-members

FEBRUARY 11Rise & Shine: “Increasing Employee En-gagement” A Breakfast with Peter Handal, Chair-man of the Board & CEO of Dale Carnegie 7:30 – 9 a.m.• Foundry on the Fair Site, 747 World’s Fair Park Drive - $25 for members and non-members

Presented by:

FEBRUARY 15Legislative Briefing 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. • • Knoxville Chamber, 17 Market Square

Sponsored by:

FEBRUARY 20Bright IdeasThe Business Case for DiversityPresented by Mae Killebrew-Mosley, Markets Demand More11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Knoxville Chamber, 17 Market Square$25 for members/$35 for non-members (boxed lunch included)

Presented by:

FEBRUARY 22Governor’s Breakfast with Governor Bill Haslam7:30 – 9 a.m. • Knoxville Convention CenterCost: $35 for members/$40 for non-members

Presented by: Supported by:

FEBRUARY 26Fantasy Casino Night5 – 7:30 p.m. • The Lighthouse, 6800 Baum DriveCost: $5 for members in advance/$10 for non-members and walk-ups

FEBRUARY 27Government Contracting Utilizing Vendor Registry8 – 9 a.m. • Knoxville Chamber, 17 Market Square

commerce february 2013

Documents

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