SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2016 • THE JACKSON SUN • R1
ADVERTISING SECTION
June 2016
CHAMBER CONNECTION ‘Remarkable things happen’ because of PIE Partnership
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rom donating money for a new greenhouse and buying plants grown by students to feeding teachers during parent conference time, the Madison County Farm Bureau helps Liberty Technology Magnet High School in many ways. That’s why the Farm Bureau received a Golden Apple Award from the Jackson Chamber for its participation in the Partners in Education (PIE) Program. Madison County Farm Bureau is right at home being Liberty’s PIE partner because of its strong emphasis in agriculture, said Kevin Perry, Farm Bureau manager. “We want to promote agriculture and careers in agriculture. It is a great match for us.” Farm Bureau was one of 65 businesses, organizations and schools to receive a Golden Apple Award this year for its participation in the chamber’s PIE program. Each Golden Apple winner had documented at least 10 different activities between the business and the school. The program, which started 33 years ago, has about 250 partnerships. Besides activities already mentioned, the Liberty ROTC unit presented the flags and FFA students handled the opening and closing ceremonies at the Farm Bureau’s annual meeting. The biggest event was the “breast cancer pink-out football game” between Liberty and South Side,” Perry said. “We raised over $8,000. The kids were awesome.” “I love every minute of being a part of a program that connects business and education so that they
than 50 JEA employees participate in the Lunch Buddy Program to act as role models. JEA, which also won a Golden Apple Award, also provides breakfast for teachers on the first day of school, pizza and ice cream parties for students with excellent behavior, door prizes and gift cards for the staff Christmas Party, and does many other things for the school. “I work very closely with the principal throughout the year to find out how JEA can help,” said Janet Wilbanks, JEA’s public relations coordinator. She gets plenty of help from other JEA employees, too, she added. Farm Bureau’s Perry sees the PIE program as more than an aid for the schools, staff and students. It has changed his perspective and appreciation for what happens in the local schools, he said. “We see and hear about the bad stuff Jackson Energy Authority rented inflatable jumpers for field day at Isaac Lane Elementary. on the news. But when you walk the hallways and get to know the teachers may work together to make a brighter Golden Apple Award and kids, you get an appreciation for future for our young people and our entire what happens every day. A lot of good Winners, P5 community,” said Shirley Jones, the Jackson things are going on. Teachers are in Chamber’s Senior Vice President of Public control. Students are so polite. It’s Affairs and PIE coordinator. been a great experience to get to know “Remarkable things happen because of the PIE the students and teachers.” program,” she added. “Schools are able to recognize The Bank of Jackson, which sponsors the PIE students for improvement, for grades and for attendance program and all the chamber’s education activities, also because of the support of the business community. works closely with its own school partner, Arlington Businesses allow employees to give countless hours Elementary. tutoring and mentoring students, speaking to classes “The PIE program was started to bring business and about careers, offering job shadowing opportunities education together in a meaningful way that would have and serving as role models for our young people.” a positive impact on both,” Jones said. “It has achieved At Isaac Lane Elementary, for example, more that over and over again.”
General Cable Industries expansion will create 51 jobs
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eneral Cable Industries Inc., a data communication cable manufacturer, will increase production at its manufacturing facility near Airways Boulevard with a $3.7 million investment that will create 51 jobs. “The skills of General Cable’s Jackson team and their solid performance were major factors as we considered our options to support our data communications business,” said Mark Thackeray, General Cable’s senior vice president of global manufacturing and North American operations. Mandy White, the Jackson Chamber’s senior vice president for economic development, said Team Madison County works closely with existing companies to help them grow. The team is a collaboration of local and state officials led by the Chamber from the city of Jackson, Madison County, Jackson Energy Authority, TVA and the state of Tennessee. “Existing manufacturers create 80 percent of the new jobs in our region,” White said. “Helping them succeed is one of the many focus areas of the Forward Jackson economic development initiative and Team Madison County’s economic development efforts.” Jackson Energy Authority works with manufacturers such as General Cable to help create a business climate that encourages growth.“Over the last couple of years, JEA has worked very closely with General Cable to improve their electric reliability and power quality and to assist them with qualifying for more competitive electric rates,”
General Cable’s Jackson Team (above) is ready to add more employees to its facility. said John Nanney, JEA’s vice president of economic and industrial development. “Their decision to expand in Jackson supported our decision to assist with making them more efficient and cost competitive.” General Cable, an industry-leading manufacturer focused on connecting and powering people’s lives for more than 170 years, offers customers a strong portfolio of brand names. It manufactures high-quality aluminum, copper and
fiber products through a global network of facilities. Both Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist and Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris praised the expansion decision for Jackson. “We are grateful for General Cable’s continuous investment in Jackson,” Gist said. Anyone interested in applying for an available position can visit the General Cable offices at 19 Bobrick Drive or contact Human Resources Coordinator Brittney North at bnorth@generalcable.com or 731-426-1270.
Leadership Jackson Alumni award scholarships - pg 2 Toyota Bodine, three local residents recognized - pg 3 Enjoy Firefighters Freedom Festival - pg 4
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