livingston - commerce commerce livingston --- …larry king larry’s dozer service leadership...

hardship, war, cele-

brations, and ac-

complishments.

We now have major

highways, industrial

parks, airport, in-

dustries, recreational parks,

schools, hospital, businesses

(retail and commercial), and the

friendliest people in the area.

At the chamber, we mail be-

tween 300—400 re-location

packages a year. All you have to

do is look around Overton

County to see why we receive so

many requests from potential

visitors and new residents. As

our birthday approaches, every-

one should give their self a big

hand because it is you who has

continued making Overton

County a great place to live for

the last 200 years.

Overton County will celebrate

its 200th Birthday on September

11, 2006.

The Bicentennial Committee has

been meeting for the last year

making plans for the occasion.

Ronald Dishman is Chairman of

the organization.

The plans are to have a four -

day event with music, food

booths, and vendors. There will

be skits re-enacting events that

occurred in Overton County

during the last 200 years.

The committee is raising funds

for the event by selling 2-year

calendars and coffee mugs. The

calendars and mugs are $5.00

each and may be purchased at

the Chamber of Commerce of-

fice.

If you would like to serve on the

committee, volunteer to help

with the skits, or help in any

other capacity, please let us

know so that we can send you

notices of each meeting.

As Overton County citizens, we

have a lot to be proud of over

the last 200 years. We have

stood together during times of

The Courthouse Square Committee

recently received a TDOT Enhance-

ment Grant for $50,000. The funds

are to be used for the brick stamping

of crosswalks from each sidewalk

around the Courthouse Square.

The committee has been working

diligently on improving the appear-

ance of the Court Square. They have

added new antique lampposts,

benches, and trash receptacles. The

City, County, local businesses, and

individuals have all made this dream a

reality. There has also been new

sidewalks added, underground wir-

ing, and individually-purchased named

bricks along the sidewalks.

Landscape architect Ben Page has

designed a comprehensive new land-

scape plan for the courthouse square

which may be viewed at the

Chamber of Commerce office.

The chamber wants to applaud

all the people who have made

our court square such a charm-

ing place to visit and admire.

LET’S CELEBRATE OUR

BICENTENNIAL ON

SEPTEMBER 8, 9, 10, & 11,

2006!

Overton County Celebrates Bicentennial in 2006

I N S I D E TH I S

I S S U E :

New Chamber

Members! 2

2005 Renewing

Members! 3

Vol State Plans

Expansion! 3

Events for 2005! 4

Effective Net-

working! 4

Leadership Over-

ton Alumni! 5

Leadership Over-

ton Graduates! 5

Leadership Over-

ton Youth Acad-

emy!

5

Sales Tax Figures

in Overton

County!

6

It Pays To Be

Involved! 6

Community

Data! 7

Courthouse Square Committee Receives Grant

L I V I N G S T O N L I V I N G S T O N L I V I N G S T O N L I V I N G S T O N ---- O V E R T O N O V E R T O N O V E R T O N O V E R T O N

C O U N T Y C H A M B E R O F C O U N T Y C H A M B E R O F C O U N T Y C H A M B E R O F C O U N T Y C H A M B E R O F

C O M M E R C EC O M M E R C EC O M M E R C EC O M M E R C E Chamber Times J U L Y 1 , 2 0 0 5 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1

SPEC IAL

PO INTS OF

INTEREST :

• Overton County

turns 200 years

old in 2006!

• Grant to place

brick stamping

from each side-

walk on Court

Square!

• Livingston-

Overton County

Re-certified a 3-

Star Community!

$5.00 Each

P A G E 2

Welcome New Chamber Members Bows, Petals, N’ Lace

Florist

101 South Court Square

Livingston, TN 38570

(931) 823-1736

Full Service Florist

Cumberland Plateau

Recovery

550 N. Church St., Ste.10


(931) 403-3577

Alcohol & Drug Recovery Center

Elder Real Estate

1018 Bradford Hicks Drive


(931) 823-7511

Real Estate Sales

Frontier Chevrolet

1634 Cookeville Highway


(931) 823-1255

Auto Sales & Service

Huddle House

1660 Pamida Drive/Hwy 111S


(931) 403-6608

24 Hour Full - Service Restaurant

Jambros-Dan Rossman

155 Wood River Lane

Allons, TN 38541

(931) 397-8915

Homebuilding, Custom-

Woodworking

MedVance Institute

1025 Highway 111

Cookeville, TN 38501

(931) 526-3660

Medical Training School for Up-

per Cumberland Area

Mundell Handyman

Services

517 Allen Sells Lane

Alpine, TN 38543

(931) 239-2340

Handyman Services

Over-The-Sun

& Daily Perks

5751 Bradford Hicks Drive


(931) 823-2313

Tanning, Nails, Specialty Coffees

& Smoothies, Fruit Teas, Lattes,

etc.

Pamie’s Unisex Hair Salon

116 South Spring Street


(931) 823-7666

Full-Service Hair Salon

Roger Underhill

517 Ed Taft Drive

Smithville, TN 37166

(615) 597-8865

Individual Member

S & C’s Rocky

Top Realty, LLC

100 Henson Street


(931) 823-1813

Real Estate Company

Southern Seasons Garden

& Nursery Center

118 Rickman Road


(931) 823-6050

Trees, Shrubs, Vegetables, (On-

the-Farm & Retail), Lawn Care,

Landscape Services

Upper Cumberland

Business Journal

705 North Dixie Avenue


(931) 528-8852

Business News Publisher

Webb’s Guitar, Etc.

199 Southwood Road


(931) 823-0239

Full-line Musical Instruments

Wimberly, Lawson, Seale,

Wright, & Daves’ PLLC

1420 Neal Street

Suite 201


(931) 372-9123

Law Firm Representing Manage-

ment in All Areas of Labor and

Employment Law

C H A M B E R T I M E S

WELCOME

MEMBERS

TEAM =

Together

Everyone

Achieves

More!

2005 Renewing Chamber Members

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1

THE SECRET TO

OUR SUCCESS...…

OUR CHAMBER

MEMBERS!

Thanks to the follow-

ing businesses and

individuals who con-

tinue to invest in the Chamber’s Pro-

gram of Work. Investors listed are

those who have renewed since January,

2005 thru June, 2005.

American Financial & Insurance Services, Inc.

American Way Real Estate

(Carol Hannah)

American Way Real Estate

(Jamie Killmon Norris)

Amonett Insurance Agency

Bank of Overton County

Beverly Linder, PC CPA

Bruce Myers, Atty.

Budd & Julia Bishop

Budweiser of Cookeville

Ciphertek Systems LLC

Cumberland Mountain Realty

Curves

Eaton - Inoac, Inc.

Edward Dickson

El Rey Mexican Restaurant

Eye Centers of Tennessee

First National Bank of Tennessee

Fred’s Pharmacy

Freeman Apple Oil Co., Inc.

H & R Block

Highways, Inc.

Holland Employment

Holly Creek-Eagle Cove

Resorts, Inc.

Holt’s Family Pharmacy

Hosea Winningham

James A Cunningham, MD

Jerry’s IGA

Johnnie Lee

Kelly Williams Attorney

KFC of Livingston

Larry King

Larry’s Dozer Service

Leadership Overton

Linda’s House of Beauty

Livingston Chocolate Company, Inc.

Livingston Family Dentistry

Livingston Flower Basket

Livingston Info-Line

Livingston Ready-Mix, LLC

Livingston Regional Hospital

Lojac Materials, Inc.

Lynda W. Simmons, Atty.

Nolen Realty

Overton County Farmer’s CO-OP

Overton County Nursing Home

Overton County Public Library

Overton Motel & Restaurant

Parker Seals

Print Mart

Puckett’s Furniture

Quality Motors

R & W Construction

Respiratory Support Services

Richard & Estelle Jordan

Richardson Appraisal Co.

Shady Rose Gift Shop

State Farm Insurance Company

Sunset Marina & Resort

Super Discount Drugs

Swallows Insurance Agency

Talk of the Town Catering

The Antique Market

The Building Center

The Honorable John Turnbull

The Livingston Clinic

The Protocol School of Tennessee

Twin Lakes Telephone Company

TY-LY Furniture Outlet

UT Extension

Unifirst Corporation

Union Bank & Trust Company

Upper Cumberland Electric Membership

Corporation

Upper Cumberland Sign Services

Volunteer State Community College

Walter’s Dairy Queen

Watkins and Langford Wrecker Service

Webb Real Estate & Auction Company

Willow Grove Resort

Winningham Hardware

WLIV Radio

about six weeks later. Volunteer

State Community College estimates

over 1000 students will be in atten-

dance within two years of comple-

tion of the First phase.

Second and Third phases will fol-

low. Offices for faculty, library,

labs, student lounge, classrooms,

and facilities to provide a wide

range of health care studies will be

-VOL STATE–

A LIVINGSTON-OVERTON

COUNTY SUCCESS STORY

After years of work, struggle, and

disappointment, our community will

have a facility that is appropriate for

students attending college. Con-

struction bids will be submitted by

early July, 2005, and commence-

ment of construction will start

available to

area students.

The total pro-

ject will be

completed

within the next

four years.

Working-

Together

Anything

Can Be

Achieved!

Vol State Plans Expansion

Volunteer State Community

College Campus

Architect Rendering

“DESTINY is

not a matter

of chance, it is

a matter of

choice; it is not

a thing to be

waited for, it is

a thing to be

achieved.”

P A G E 4

Tips for effective networking

What’s Happening July

14, 15, 16. . . Overton County

Bluegrass Festival. For more

information contact Mac McLeod,

498-4667.

25—30. . .67th Annual Overton

County Fair. For more informa-

tion contact Cindy Robbins, 823-

1813.

August

27 . . .8th Annual Standing Stone

Car Show. For more information

contact Patrick Randall, 823-6347.

September

17. . .Standing Stone Marbles

Festival & National Rolley Hole

Championships. For more infor-

mation contact Shawn Hughes,

823-6347.

October

5. . . Ag-Industry Appreciation

Day. For more information con-

tact Ron Johnson, 823-2735.

November

25. . . Christmas in the Country.

For more information contact

Darren Oliver, 823-6485.

December

2, 9, 16, & 23. . .Christmas in

the Country. For more informa-

tion contact Darren Oliver, 823-

6485.

10. . .Overton County Christmas

Parade. For more information

contact Gene Medley, 823-2735.

dees. By volunteering to

help greet people, you can

make the first contact when

they come through the door.

If you see visitors standing

alone, introduce yourself and

ask if they would like to

meet others.

4. A good conversation starter

is to ask what the other

person does and inquire

about their business. That is

the perfect lead-in to what

you do. Be specific but brief.

Don’t assume they know

your business.

5. Events are not meant to be a

vehicle to hit on business

people to buy your products

or services, it’s about devel-

oping relationships. Net-

working at events should be

the beginning of the process,

not the end of it.

6. Give referrals whenever

possible. If you give some-

one a viable lead, they are

more inclined to return the

favor.

7. Exchange business cards.

Ask each person you meet

for two business cards.

Keep one and pass the other

on. That’s what networking

is all about.

8. Don’t linger with friends or

associates. The goal is to

make new business contacts.

9. Write notes on the back of

business cards that you col-

lect to help you remember

each person more clearly.

This will come in handy

when you follow up.

10. The most important part of

networking is to Follow Up!

If you don’t, you’ve wasted

your time. Drop a note or

call each person you’ve met

and be sure to fulfill any

promises you made.

The Chamber provides numerous

networking opportunities through-

out the year, all geared toward

helping you make the most of your

investment and expanding your

business.

Networking to some individuals

can be intimidating or even be

considered a waste of time.

When you know the basics of

networking, however, it can truly

make all the difference. Effective

networking can build a wealth of

resources and contacts that will

help make you successful.

10 keys to success:

1. Know the tools you need

and keep them with you. A

supply of business cards and

brochures are essential.

When attending events, wear

a name badge. Keep a busi-

ness card file handy to store

your contacts.

2. Determine in advance the

number of contacts you will

make at any given event.

Keep the goal attainable and

make it a point to meet the

goal.

3. Interact with other atten-


2005 Board of Directors

Bill Needham, President Gene Medley, President-Elect Larry Smith, Secretary-Treasurer Julia Bishop Phillip McCormick Toni Johnson Carolyn Oldfather Beth Shipley Carol Ledford Johnnie Lee Budd Bishop Lynn King Charlotte Teasley Katherine Johnson Eldon Leslie Johnny Fred Coleman Bob Shartrand Mike Swallows Millard V. Oakley Bill Winningham Tim McGill David Howard Marty Maynord Wanda Krantz Ralph Robbins Mike Powell Mayor Frank Martin County Mayor Kenneth Copeland

Honorary Members: Hosea Winningham Dr. W.G. Quarles

Winningham Park!

Leadership Overton Alumni Report


The Leadership Overton Alumni have

been meeting on a monthly basis

throughout the following year working

on the Adult and Youth Leadership

Overton programs. Under the guid-

ance of Jim Evans, Alumni President

for 2004—2005, the Alumni have

stepped forward and

created a positive

difference in both

programs.

The Alumni meet at

the Chamber on a

monthly basis, and

lunch is sponsored by

a local business. This year’s program

was a great success due to the gener-

osity of our local businesses; they are

the backbone of our community’s

achievements.

Also, the Alumni are continuing to

work on the Welcome Sign Project

started by Leadership Overton. They

now have Welcome Signs on Highway

111 coming from Putnam County and

from Pickett County. Their next

project is a Welcome Sign on Highway

52 coming from Clay County. The

Welcome Signs are such a positive

addition to our community. They

make a dramatic entrance to visitors

as well as residents to our community.

The Leadership Overton Alumni are

in the process of soliciting donations

for the cost of erecting a sign. If any-

one is interested in donating to the

Welcome Sign project, please contact

Rita at the Chamber of Commerce at

823-6421.

and participated in the programs. Health care, education, city and county government, justice system, and the graduation trip to Knoxville high-lighted the year. Jacob Brown was elected as president - elect, and Megan Harris, Secretary to the Leadership Overton Youth Alumni Association. Alison West was project coordinator and did an excellent job. The group voted last January to participate in the “Relay for Life” activity for the American Heart Association. This group did everything from selling fried apple pies to car washes, as well as selling bracelets. The final dollar amount raised by the group was $1,500.00, which was excellent for the first year. The group’s outing in Knoxville was very special this year, because we not only toured the new in-door football facility, but had a game of football on the field in Neyland Stadium. We also toured the new locker room and had a press

The fifth class of the Leadership Overton Youth Academy has proven to be the best yet for the organization. Starting back in October, even before the applications came in, our advisors felt like this was going to be a good year. Now that the year is completed, it has proven to be the best year ever. From the beginning, the 18 Sophomores became quickly involved in the classes and community service projects. Our first meeting was held on November 17, 2004. The topic was leadership styles, and Ms. Manners (Linda Riser) talked to the group about etiquette. You know that you have made progress when weeks later the class mem-bers call to your attention someone is eating wrongly or has poor seating habits. Out of the 18 students, 12 had perfect attendance to all classes and work sessions. From the start, each class meeting was empowered with these sophomores impressing us on how well they listen

conference in Phil Fulmer’s press room. We had a great day in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. It makes you proud of the youth from Livingston Academy when you have a group like this year’s class. These 18 sophomores have the ground work now to become tomorrow’s leaders. I expect that you will see them in the future in leadership roles. This upcoming year’s class structure will have a few changes due to the 3-Star program require-ments. We will be adding agriculture, state gov-ernment, and history to the program. This program like others could not be operated without funding. A special thanks goes to the Livingston Rotary Club and the Livingston Jaycees for helping sponsor this class of youth. The return on their money will be three-fold. Applications for this year’s class can be picked up at the Guidance Office at Livingston Academy in August.

(Livingston Ready Mix), Larry Thomas (Allons Baptist Church), and Mark White (Mark White Tire & Service Center). The year consisted of eight sessions that ran from October 2004 thru May 2005. It covered local and state current issues in government affairs and economic development, challenges in education and health care, and an exploration of resources and opportunities for Overton County and its citizens. Discussions with current local leaders and leadership skill-building topics such as team-building, leadership styles, group dynamics, problem solving, and community service were also fundamental training elements for the class. Plaques of completion were awarded to each graduate by another graduate. They did an

exercise in recognition to award the diplomas. A tour of the facility and a dinner reception fol-lowed the ceremony. Anyone who lives or works in Overton County is eligible to participate in Leadership Overton, which will begin a new class in October, 2005. Please contact Rita Reagan at 931-823-6421 for more information. Thanks to all the businesses that sponsor the Leader-ship Overton Pro-gram each year, for without the commu-nity’s support this program would not be possible.

2005 Leadership Overton Class Graduates

Leadership Overton celebrated the conclusion of the Class of 2005 with a graduation ceremony on June 3, 2005. The event was held at Mitchell Creek Lodge. Carolyn Oldfather and Toni John-son, proprietors and LO graduates hosted the event. Members of the Class of 2005 (and their place of work or sponsor) are Sheryl Beatty (Union Bank & Trust Company), Debra Ferrell (Overton/Pickett County FSA ), Michael Johnson (Livingston Jaycees), Colene Ledbetter (Eaton Inoac), Greg McDonald (Livingston Rotary Club), Erin Montgomery (First National Bank of Tennessee), Cindy Robbins (S & C’s Rocky Top Realty), Joe Ross (Livingston Regional Hospital), Cynthia Sells (State Farm Insurance), Tonia Sells (Physical Medicine Center), Renea Stover

Welcome

Sign Greet-

ing Visitors

to Overton

County.

Leadership Overton Graduation Held

Leadership Overton Youth Students Excel

Youth Leadership Graduation

Trip to Knoxville, Pigeon Forge,

& Gatlinburg.

“Leadership

is action,

not

position.”

By: Gene Medley, Advisor

P A G E 6

GOT A NEWS

ITEM, EVENT,

INTERESTING

STORY, OR

REPORT FOR THE

CHAMBER TIMES?

LET US KNOW ,

AND WE WILL TRY

TO INCLUDE IT IN

OUR NEWSLETTER!

Keep your information up-to-

date. Let us know your address,

phone numbers, e-mail, and

web site address so we can keep

you informed!

It Pays To Be Involved

Sales Tax Figures in Overton County

What can we as business own-

ers and individuals do to help

the sales tax figures in Over-

ton County?

SHOP AT HOME

According to Henry Bowman,

economic analyst with the

Upper Cumberland Develop-

ment District, Overton

County’s Sales Tax Collections

dropped from April, 2005

compared to April, 2004,

(which reflects activity in

March - the latest monthly

figures available from the TN

Department of Revenue).

Overton County collected

$679,756, down by 7.7 percent

from $736,461 from 2004.

These amounts only include

the state sales tax, not the

local option sales tax.

So, what can we do to help

these figures and keep our tax

dollars at home? Enrich Over-

ton County. . . Spend Locally!

Purchases made in Overton

County benefit Overton

County. Here are some ways

your sales tax dollars make a

difference. . .

• Help fund local school

projects, salaries, and

equipment purchases.

• Strengthen our commu-

nity’s law enforcement by

providing more money

for more officers.

• Equip our firefighters with

the resources they need

to improve our fire pro-

tection.

• Create jobs for more

county residents by pa-

tronizing local businesses

ensuring their success and

ability to hire more work-

ers.

• Increase funds available to

improve county roads by

purchasing gasoline lo-

cally.

• Promote tourism and

commercial growth by

increasing awareness and

appea l of Overton

County.

If just half of county residents

who routinely shop elsewhere

would spend at home instead,

county sales tax collected

would be substantially in-

creased.

Your Local Spending =

A Better Overton County!

business. Each quarter a busi-

ness will be selected from the

businesses who submitted a

story. The article needs to be

between 250—300 words

telling us about your business.

Be sure to tell us a little bit

about the history of your busi-

ness, your products or the

services you provide. De-

One of the features

available for Chamber

Members is a spotlight

article in the newslet-

ter featuring your

business.

To be selected as the

spotlight feature busi-

ness of the quarter,

send us a story about your

scribe your market (retail or

wholesale), and something

about your plans for the fu-

ture.

This is a great way to share

information with your fellow

chamber members. The more

your fellow members know

about your business, the more

business they will refer.

Please re-

member to

frequent

fellow

chamber

members’

businesses

in 2005!



Overton County Community Data

Updated 01/31/05

Data Provided by: UCDD OVERTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE

Population Percent Personal Income Total-2000 Census 20,118 100.0 2000 Census (1999 Income) White 19,834 98.6 Median Family $32,156

Black 56 0.3 Median Household $26,915

Other 228 1.1 Per Capita $13,910

Hispanic 138 0.7 Individual Poverty Rate (%) 16.0

Age 0-4 1,240 6.2 Family Poverty Rate (%) 12.3

5-17 3,390 16.9 18-64 12,469 62.0 2002 Bureau of Economic Analysis 65+ 3,019 15.0 Total (000's) $408,076

Median Age 38.8 ----- Per Capita $21,262

2003 Estimated Total 20,151 ----- 1990 Census Total 17,636 ----- Miscellaneous

Land Area (sq. miles) 433.4 ----- 2004 Bank Deposits (000's) $269,121

1997 Wholesale Trade (000's) NA

Employment, Labor Force 2003 Avg 12/04 2002 Farm Sales (000's) $16,388

Labor Force-Total 9,500 9,460 2000 Adult (Age 25+) Education Employment 8,870 9,000 Percent College Graduates 8.3

Unemployment 630 460 Percent H.S. Graduates 59.0

Rate (%) 6.6 4.9 Available Labor 750 530 Property Tax Rate-2004 Work Force-Total 4,700 NA Per $100 Assessment $1.94

Manufacturing 1,380 NA Effective $1.94

Nonmanufacturing 3,320 NA 2003 Wages Total Mfg State Sales Tax Rate (%) 7.00

Average Weekly $466 $541 Local Sales Tax Rate (%) 2.50

Retail Sales 2003 2002 (000's) $118,409 $109,026

2004 Municipal Data Population Property Tax Rate 2000 Census

------------------------ -------------------------------- Per Capita

2000 1990 Nominal Effective Income

Livingston 3,498 3,809 $1.40 $1.40 $15,558

Program has set high standards and

incentives like no other state-run

program in the nation. The Three -

Star Program assists communities in

preserving existing employment, cre-

ating new employment opportunities,

improving family income, and creating

a strong leadership base for economic

development.

Livingston-Overton County has been

officially recertified a Three - Star

Community. The Chamber was re-

viewed by representatives from the

Department of Economic & Commu-

nity Development on May 26. We

received a total of 1,010 points which

placed us in a Level 2 category.

The goal of the program is to develop

something that will be more compre-

hensive and beneficial for our com-

munity and help us close the gap be-

tween economic stagnancy and com-

petitiveness. The program’s focus on

education, community leadership, and

infrastructure helps local communities

identify key marketing strengths to

grow and retain jobs, improve quality

of life, and better prepare for sustain-

able growth.

The state’s redesigned Three-Star

In order to receive the certification,

we are required to meet a number of

criteria in organizational, community,

business, education, and work force

development categories. Incentives

for receiving the certification include

identification on all Fast Track infra-

structure and job training applica-

tions, eligibility for matching grants,

and the advantage of earning points in

the Community Development Block

Grant (CDBG) process.

The key to successful community

development is the implementation of

programs like Three-Star which set

practical and manageable steps, that if

followed, will better prepare us for

growth. This program helps steer us

in the right direction to reach the

destination of successful economic

development.

222 East Main Street

P.O. Box 354


Phone: 931-823-6421

Fax: 931-823-6422

E-mail: [email protected]

The Livingston-Overton County Chamber of

Commerce is a non-profit organization that

was formed on May 1, 1967. It’s mission is for

the purpose of advancing the commercial, in-

dustrial, civic, and general interest of

Livingston-Overton County and its trade area.

For more information, you may contact either:

John M. Roberts, Executive Director

Rita Reagan, Assistant Director

Livingston - Overton County

Chamber of Commerce

Livingston-Overton County Re-certified 3-Star

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Chamber Times is organized and edited by Roger Underhill

and Rita Reagan.

Newsletter printed by Gene Medley (UT Extension)

Governor’s 3-Star Ceremony in

Nashville, Tennessee

We’re on the Web! www.overtonco.com

livingston - commerce commerce livingston --- …larry king larry’s dozer service leadership...

Documents