A Publication

of the Athens Area

Chamber of Commerce

——————— 423-745-0334

ATHENS BUSINESS

MAY 2015 Volume 29

No. 5

Greetings, fellow Chamber members! With the end of the school year fast approaching, it won’t be long until summer break, which means the excitement of vacations and other fun activities. As you make your summer plans, please remember there are many fun and exciting things to do right here in McMinn County and neighboring counties. For more information go this website www.visitmcminn.com or contact the Chamber office. On that note, I know many of us have enjoyed whitewater rafting or kayaking down the Ocoee River. The Ocoee is one of the nation’s most popular whitewater rivers with nearly 250,000 visits annually. This creates a tremendous economic impact for our region. For that reason I want to make you aware that continued use of the Ocoee River for whitewater recrea-tion is in danger. The Tennessee Valley Authority controls the whitewater release permits purchased by local outfitters who provide Ocoee rafting trips. The current contract negotiated by the State of TN and TVA expires in March 2019. TVA is asking for $9 million for the first five years for release fees. This amount will be nearly impossible for the local outfitters to pay col-lectively. If they are unable to pay this amount, whitewater recreation on the Ocoee may cease to exist. For more information and to learn ways your can help, please visit this website http://savetheocoee.org. A big THANK YOU to all Chamber members who participated in the recent 2015 Prime Time Business Showcase! Over 60 Chamber members filled the Market Park Pavilion area and despite the rain and wind everyone had a great time. The Chamber has received many positive comments from participating members who said they enjoyed meeting lots of new people and are looking forward to the next event. I want to remind everyone again about the upcoming Sounds of Summer concert series which will kick-off Saturday, May 30th. The musical talent is always outstanding and each concert offers a different musical genre. So make plans to head to the Market Park Pavilion in Downtown Athens each Saturday evening through August. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your own chairs! For a concert schedule visit the Sounds of Summer Facebook page. If you are a new member and you have not yet set up a ribbon cutting, we want to ensure you take advantage of that membership benefit. Please contact Kay Simmons at 423.745.0334 or email her at kay@athenschamber.org. Ribbon cutting photos are published in The Daily Post-Athenian and The Morning Fax and are great FREE opportunities to pro-mote your business. June is almost here and that means Peyton Manning will soon be coming to Athens. Make sure to purchase your tickets before they sell out. Program only tickets are available by calling the Chamber at 423.745.0334 or on the website at www.athenschamber.org. Make sure to mark your calendar for this month’s Business Before Hours hosted by Holly Hill Events and Michael’s Catering. This event will be held at Holly Hill (the original Bowater estate mansion) located at 320 County Road 730 in Riceville on Thursday, May 21st from 8:00a.m. to 9:00a.m. This is a great way to network while enjoying a cup of coffee and some morning refreshments before you begin the workday. Attendance has been great and we look forward to seeing you there. The Shop Local campaign continues in full swing. One way to Shop Local is to be a part of the Cash Mob on Thursday, May 14th at Heavenly Creations by Jen located at 1311B Rail-road Avenue in Athens. Come and be a part of the mob! When you “Shop Local,” your tax dollars stay local and support our local schools and fund important municipal services. For more information about events I’ve mentioned or to learn more about how the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce can serve you, please call the Chamber (423.745.0334), visit www.athenschamber.org, or email info@athenschamber.org.

THE CHAIRMAN’S CORNER with

Shane Sewell

The May Spotlight is shining on…

On February 4th a group of 20 select high school juniors and seniors from both McMinn County high schools met together for the first time. That day they got to know each other through some team building games and exercises and then performed a service project for Helping Hands Ministries. In the coming months they met five more days and learned about McMinn County history, health services, criminal justice, government, and even had the opportunity to milk a cow. They developed a resume and were taken through mock interviews by community professionals, then given helpful feedback regarding interview skills. The program culminated with a day at Camp Living Stones where the students overcame fear and anxieties through helping each other accomplish a high ropes course. The purpose of McMinn Tomorrow is to offer high school juniors and seniors, our future leaders, the opportunity to become more knowledgeable of McMinn County and to learn the opportunities that exist in our communities. Hopefully, this information will help them reach their life goals and encourage them to help build a community in which all citizens have opportunities for success and a better quality of life.

Graduates of McMinn Tomorrow 2015 are (front row left to right) Ty Striker (McMinn), Anu Kumar (McMinn), Abby Howe (McMinn), Camila Rodriguez (McMinn), Devanshi Patel (McMinn), Katie Shaw (Central), Payton Mathews (McMinn) (second row left to right) Chase Cummins (Central), Bethany Presley (McMinn), Kelcey Casteel (Central), Kyla Long (McMinn), Jenna Kaminske (McMinn) (third row left to right) Andrew Duggan (Central), Josh Knight (Central), Lynn Butler (Central), Sam Ingram (Central), Ryann Dahle (Central) Not pictured: Aryn Click (Central) and Chris Achilles (McMinn)

ATHENS CHAMBER BUSINESS PARTNERS & INVESTORS Because members renew memberships at different times throughout the year, listings are provided on a

monthly basis. These members renewed their memberships during April 2015.

Come and be part of the 2015 CASH MOB! Come to these locations on these days from 12:00p.m. to

5:00p.m. and spend at least $20. It’s fun and great for these businesses and our local

economy!

May 14th Heavenly Creations by Jen

June 11th

The Art Market @ The Arts Center Origami Owl / Amanda Haun Thirty-One / Michelle Wright

Scentsy / Deborah Cox

July 10th –NO CASH MOB

August 13th United Wholesale Discount

September 10th To Be Announced

October 8th

Blair’s Bo-Kay Florist

November 12th To Be Announced

December 10th

Hair Therapy

Athens Area Council for the Arts Athens Eye Associates Athens Lutheran Church Athens Pediatrics, PLLC Belk Land Surveying Bell, Mike, Tennessee State Senator Buddy’s Bar-B-Q, Inc. Cash Now Advance Century 21 Howe Realty & Auction Covenant Pediatrics Cracker Barrel Farm Credit Friends of E.G. Fisher Public Library Home Health Care of East Tennessee, Inc.

Lamar Outdoor Advertising Lexi-Lou’s Mid-East TN Community Credit Union Morning Pointe of Athens Personal Care Choices Powers, Harold N. “Prof” Premier Properties Riley, Joel C. Roto Rooter Sewer & Drain Service Rymer Chiropractic Selective Structures, LLC SEM Realty Smith Funeral & Cremation Services Southland Finance, Inc.

Valley Title Services, LLC Walden, Blair & Associates, PLLC WalMart

Remember…

Shop with

Chamber members

first!

NEW CHAMBER

MEMBERS!

The Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization of citizens who invest their time and money in a community development program working together to improve the economic, civic and cultural

well being of our community.

Why I Should Belong to The Chamber of Commerce?

Active Membership in the Chamber of Commerce carries with it a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction from the knowledge you are doing your share of an important job. Although

everyone in the community benefits from the work of the Chamber of Commerce, you can accept those benefits with a sense of pride only if you have had a part in bringing them about. Build your business by building your community. Benefits of membership in the Chamber include a wealth of

advertising and exposure through participation in various events, inclusion in the Chamber website, newsletter, and networking opportunities.

For information about becoming a Chamber member,

please call (423) 745-0334.

Athens Women’s Clinic Thomas Discount Shoes 817 Cook Drive 12 South White Street Athens, TN 37303 Athens, TN 37303 Phone: 423-745-3394 Retail shoe store www.athenswomenclinic.com Medical services for women DSH (Down Syndrome Housing) Traci’s Madison Avenue 181 County Road 725 513 West Madison Avenue Riceville, TN 37370 Athens, TN 37303 Phone: 813-309-8000 Antiques-Home Décor-Unique Gifts www.downsyndromehousing.com Non-profit McMinn Area Cancer Relief U.S. Money Pawn P. O. Box 536 2110 Congress Parkway S Athens, TN 37371-0536 Athens, TN 37303 mcminnacrf@gmail.com Phone: 423-473-4394 Non-profit www.usmoneyshops.com Pawn-Buy-Sell

Upcoming Chamber and Community Events

It’s a WIN / WIN

to SHOP McMINN!

Athens Area Chamber of Commerce

announces 9th Annual Benefit Dinner

with guest speaker

Saturday June 27, 2015

6:00PM McMinn Co. High School

Tickets Available:

$50 (Program Only) (concessions will be available)

Purchase tickets: In person-13 N. Jackson Street By phone-423.745.0334

On-line– www.athenschamber.org

PEYTON MANNING

Athens Area Chamber of Commerce CASH MOB!

Heavenly Creations by Jen 20% Storewide only during the CASH MOB!

Date: Thursday, May 14 Time: 12:00p.m. to 5:00p.m. Location: 1311B Railroad Avenue, Athens For more info: Call 423.745.0334 or www.athenschamber.org

Athens Area Council for the Arts announces art exhibit PAINTER,PIONEER:

THE LIFE OF GOLDIE DENTON MAYFIELD Date: May 11-July 3 Time: Mon. thru Fri. 10:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. Exhibit Reception: Friday, May 22 Time: 5:30p.m. to 7:00p.m. Location: The Arts Center 320 North White Street Athens For more info: Call 423.745.8781 or www.athensartscouncil.org

Athens Area Chamber of Commerce BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS

Hosted by Holly Hill Events & Michael’s Catering Date: Thursday, May 21 Time: 8:00a.m. to 9:00a.m. Location: 320 County Road 730 Riceville For more info: Call 423.745.0334 or www.athenschamber.org

Athens Area Council for the Arts Kids Arts Camp 2015

JUNGLE JAZZ Camp Director: Kay Frank

Date: Wk 1: June 8-12 Wk 2: June 15-19 Time: 9a.m. to 2p.m. Monday-Friday, ending with performance Friday at 1p.m. Location: Westside School 700 Westside Street Athens Cost: $65 per camper Scholarships are available Registration Deadline: May 29 For more info: Call 423.745.8781 or www.athensartscouncil.org

Sounds of Summer presents

SONIC FUSION Date: Saturday, May 30 Time: 7:00p.m. Location: Market Park Pavilion in Downtown Athens Tickets: FREE to the public (bring your own chair!) For more info: Call 865.680.0939 or Sounds of Summer-Facebook

Sounds of Summer presents

DEXTER THOMAS BAND Date: Saturday, June 6 Time: 7:00p.m. Location: Market Park Pavilion in Downtown Athens Tickets: FREE to the public (bring your own chair!) For more info: Call 865.680.0939 or Sounds of Summer-Facebook

To have an event included on this calendar, please email event information details to info@athenschamber.org

Athens Area Chamber of Commerce

7th Annual Community Concert presents

2012 Grammy Award Winner

for Best Contemporary

Christian Song “Blessings”

Winner of Four Dove Awards

Composer of

2004 #1 Worship Hit “Indescribable”

Friday, October

23rd

7:00PM

Athens City Middle School

Auditorium

Tickets: $10 Adults $8 Students VIP Tickets Available: $50

(includes Meet & Greet & Priority Seating) To order: Call 423.745.0334 or online wwwathenschamber.org

Athens Area Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with

HOLLY HILL EVENTS &

MICHAEL’S CATERING

invite all Chamber members to

Holly Hill 320 County Road 730 Riceville, TN 37370

(the original Bowater owner’s mansion) for

BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS

Thursday, May 21 8:00a.m. to 9:00a.m.

Come enjoy a cup of coffee, network with Chamber members, and enter a business card

in the door prize drawings!

ATHENS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

13 North Jackson Street, Athens, TN 37303 E-mail: info@athenschamber.org Website: www.athenschamber.org

2015 OFFICERS

Chairman Shane Sewell Chairman Elect Jackie Newman Vice Chairman Moises Contreras Treasurer Brandy Cooper Immediate Past Chairman Becky Wattenbarger

2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Becky Wattenbarger Shane Sewell Jackie Newman Moises Contreras Brandy Cooper Will Estes Randy Nelson Gus Jaibat Pam Perdue Rhonda Elkins Scott Cass Skylar Dean Patty Weaver Todd Harris Shayne Whaley

EX-OFFICIO

Anthony Casteel, Community Development Director, City of Athens John Gentry, Mayor, McMinn County

Kathy Knight, McMinn County Economic Development Authority Dana Ferguson, Diplomat Corps Chairman

STAFF Rob Preston President/CEO Kay Simmons Program Director

Teressa Clark Accounts Coordinator

ATHENS BUSINESS is a monthly publication for the members of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce.