Thursday, May 13, 2009 • THE LEADER • A11
www.covingtonleader.com
First State joins loan partnership COVINGTON — The Tennessee Rural Opportunity Fund, a first of its kind $10 million economic development fund providing loans to small businesses in rural Tennessee, has been awarded the 2010 National Community Reinvestment Award from the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council. The award recognizes the work of financial institutions that are advancing innovative solutions to the challenges facing lower-income and distressed communities. The Fund is a publicprivate partnership be-
tween the State of Tennessee, 23 member banks of the Tennessee Bankers Association, and Southeast Community Capital Corporation (SCC) that utilizes a unique collaborative access to capital strategy to lend to small businesses in Tennessee’s rural communities. It is a component of the Rural Opportunity Initiative, a three-pronged strategy unveiled by Governor Phil Bredesen in fall of 2007 to bolster economic growth in rural areas. Launched in 2007 and operated by Southeast Community Capital, the Rural Opportunity Fund is expected to generate
$25 million in loans and finance over 350 small, minority- and womenowned businesses that will create more than 600 new jobs over 10 years. To date, the Fund has originated over $9 million in loans to 44 businesses creating nearly 200 new jobs and retaining approximately 400 existing positions. Almost 70 percent of the loans have been made to women and/or Minority-owned businesses. “We are excited about this partnership and the national recognition it has received," said John Clark, president and CEO of First State. “When
Tennessee Rural Opportunity Fund was created, First State was one of the first financial institutions to join that effort. "We are proud of what our investment has resulted in thus far, especially the way it has helped so many women and minority-owned small businesses in rural communities across the state. It is First State’s corporate culture to give back to the communities we serve and this is one way we are doing that.” The award was presented on March 16, 2010 in New Orleans, LA at the 25th National Interagency Community Re-
investment Conference sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Office of Thrift Supervision. First State Bank has 27 full-service banking locations in 22 communities throughout Tennessee. It is owned by Community First Bancshares Inc., a holding company headquartered in Union City, which also operates a mortgage company, an insurance company, a specialized ag services division, an employee benefits division, investment services, a con-
sumer finance company, and an indirect auto financing division at various locations across the state. The banking company currently has assets totaling over $1.4 billion. The banking company has offices in the communities of Davidson, Dyer, Gibson, Haywood, Henderson, Knox, Madison, Obion, Robertson, Shelby, Sumner, Tipton, and Weakley Counties in Tennessee. Its metropolitan markets include Collierville, Gallatin, Goodlettsville, Hendersonville, Jackson, Knoxville, and Nashville.
Naifeh seeks another term; others vie for GOP nod On May 11, State Representative (D-Covington) Jimmy Naifeh announced that he is running for re-election for House District 81, which encompasses most of Tipton and all of Haywood county. He joins the race with Republican contenders Rory Bricco and Jim Hardin. Hardin also declared his candidacy this week on Saturday, May 8 before a crowd in front of the
Covington Courthouse. Naifeh, who is unopposed in the democratic primary race, stated in his press release, “It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your state representative, and one that I have taken seriously. I have been and continue to be committed to the people of Tipton County and Haywood County, and I will continue to honor my responsibility and work hard to bring more jobs to our community, improve our local and regional schools and provide tax relief
to those who need it most.” Nafieh is a life-long resident of the district and was elected to the Speaker of the House in 1991. He currently serves Speaker Emeritus of the House of Representatives and is currently the longest serving House Speaker in Tennessee history. “I have worked with republicans and democrats to pass balanced budgets, create jobs, improve school and make our streets safer,” said Naifeh. “Though we
Monsanto, Farm Bureau offer flood help to farmers
My name is Rover and my foster mom found me with my tail very badly skinned. Someone was mean and tied a wire around the base of my tail. I had to have my whole tail amputated but I still can wag my butt - which I do a lot! I am a happy boy. I am a yellow lab mix. I will play fetch all day long and catch toys in mid-air and seem to have some kind of agility training. I love to hear the crunch of plastic jugs. I am energetic and love to play, and I sit and Rover shake on command. I really love people, a lot. I like the girl dogs the best. I weigh about 75 lbs, have been neutered, heartworm treated and on preventative. . I need a big yard or lots of trips to the park for exercise. I don’t try to escape the fence, I just love to dig and lay in my self-made puddles. But I somehow seem to stay reasonably clean. Amazes my foster mom. I go into my kennel with a treat, and am mostly house trained. I will walk on a leash, but need more practice. Maybe there is someone (you maybe?) who needs a big fur guy for a friend and is willing to play fetch for hours, learn agility or even teach me to hunt. I would love to meet you. Bring a frisbee, ball or toy!! Call Linda 4853450/Lin 335-2036 email dogs2ndchance@gmail.com dogs2ndchance.org <http:// dogs2ndchance.org>
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cials for their donation and said, “Tennessee agriculture and many of our rural communities experienced a great loss in this recent flood that goes beyond our remembrances of historical floods in our lifetimes. Many crops will have to be replanted, fences rebuilt, equipment repaired and financial difficulties overcome. We appreciate Monsanto helping the communities in these affected areas and their providing seeds to our farmers to reseed their crops will be a major help.” To be prepared to respond when farm communities are hit, the Tennessee Farm Bureau established the Tennessee Farm Disaster Response Fund in 2008. When disaster strikes, grants from this fund are directed to farm and rural communities to help rebuild the agricultural infrastructure and are intended to help those who have incurred substantial damage. Those living in Tennessee counties that earn presidentially declared disaster status will be eligible for help from the fund, and anyone may make donations to the foundation.
the Delfield Company in Covington. August 5 is the date for the primary elections and November 2 will be the state general election.
Stanton Church of Christ
Invites you FRIDAY, MAY 21: 7:00-9:00 p.m. -- Congregation Singing Steven Sutton, Director SUNDAY, MAY 23: Bible Study - 9:45 a.m. Worship at 10:40 with Robert Taylor, Jr. SUNDAY EVENING WORSHIP: 6:00 p.m. Robert Taylor, Jr., speaker, Michael Brown, Song Director MONDAY, MAY 24: 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. -- Congregational singing, followed by Robert Taylor, Jr., speaker TUESDAY, MAY 25: 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. -- Congregational singing, followed by Robert Taylor, Jr., speaker WEDNESDAY, MAY 26: 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. -- Congregational singing, followed by Robert Taylor, Jr., speaker Hwy 70
Methodist Church
West Tennessee suffered major damage as a result of the recent storms and flooding,” said Dave Rhylander, Deltapine marketing director. “Residents are facing dramatic challenges in rebuilding their communities, and Monsanto wanted to find a way to assist in the recovery. Partnering with the Tennessee Farm Bureau and The Tennessee Farm Disaster Response Fund allows us to get funds quickly and make an impact in the rural communities hit hardest. "We’ll also be working directly with customers on programs to assist with replanting crops as farmers face those decisions when the waters recede. "To help our farmers with their reseeding, we will be implementing programs to provide replacement seed at no cost to help with their financial burden of meeting their needs to recover from these floods.” Rhylander received a round of applause from a group of area farmers who had gathered for the check presentation when he announced Monsanto’s plans to help with providing seed for their reseeding needs. More details about the reseeding program will be made available from Monsanto in the very near future. Tennessee Farm Bureau President Lacy Upchurch thanked Monsanto offi-
almost 20 years. After 12 years on active duty and more than 13 years in the Naval Reserves, he retired from military service last year. He is currently employed with
Old School
NEWBERN – During most spring growing seasons, the month of May is usually the time when Tennessee farmers are watching their corn crops grow and hoping for a successful fall harvest. But, this year, due to a weekend of historical floods spreading across more than 50 counties in the western and midstate areas of the Volunteer State, Tennessee farmers are cleaning up tens of thousands of acres that have been affected. Crops of corn and early soybeans were buried under water and silt. The financial impact to farmers having to delay crops could be devastating and the final cost of replanting will come out of their bottom line. Representatives from the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and the Monsanto Company came together on the farm of row crop farmer Malcolm Burchfiel near Newbern yesterday to announce Monsanto’s donation of $50,000 to The Tennessee Farm Disaster Response Fund dedicated to helping rural communities recover from the recent floods. Other agricultural organizations and corporations are being encouraged to match Monsanto’s generosity to help counties across the affected areas and several are already making plans to get involved. “Communities across
have accomplished a lot...there is still plenty of work to be done.” In the republican primary, Rory Bricco is a native of West Tennessee also and graduated from Millington High school. He is a farmer who went to work right out of high school at a chemical company and has held a position in management since 2000, according to his website. Bricco’s contender in the GOP primary is Jim Hardin. He is a born and raised Texan and has lived in Covington for
Hwy 179
By TIFFANY HOLLAND tholland@covingtonleader.com
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