INSIDE: Pinnacle Photos pg. 56 + Monthly Economic Indicators pg. 59
NEW MEMBERS & NEW PREMIER PARTNERS
Cracker Barrel - Cedar Bluff (865) 690-6060 www.crackerbarrel.com Restaurants; Event Planning, Catering, & Venues: Catering
BASE TIER MEMBERS Blount Title Agency, Inc. (865) 983-7655 Real Estate:Title Companies Campbell’s Pool and Spa (865) 584-3607 www.campbellspools.com Construction & Contractors: Residential
Marblegate Farm (865) 333-0529 www.marblegatefarm.com Event Planning, Catering, & Venues Master Remodelers, LLC (865) 458-0416 www.remodelingknoxville.com Construction & Contractors: Remodeling Matt Broyles - State Farm (865) 357-1595 www.mattbroylesinsurance.com Insurance Moore Moving Company (865) 275-6816 Residential Services: Moving/Relocation NB Creative Studio (310) 927-0708 www.nbcreativestudio.com Business & Professional Services: Graphic Designers
Cracker Barrel - Alcoa (865) 982-1277 www.crackerbarrel.com Restaurants
Net3 Information Technology (865) 888-5100 www.net3it.com Computer & IT Services: Consultants
Cracker Barrel - East Towne (865) 971-4421 www.crackerbarrel.com Restaurants
Northshore Smiles Dentistry (865) 233-6517 www.northshoresmilesdentistry.com Healthcare Providers & Services: Dentists
Cracker Barrel - Farragut (865) 675-1446 www.crackerbarrel.com Restaurants
Park Place - Fountain City (865) 687-0033 www.fivestarseniorliving.com Social Services: Senior Services
Cracker Barrel - Merchants Rd. (865) 688-7396 www.crackerbarrel.com Restaurants
Park Place - West (865) 675-7050 www.fivestarseniorliving.com Social Services: Senior Services
Cracker Barrel - Strawberry Plains (865) 522-8232 www.crackerbarrel.com Restaurants
Penn Station - Cedar Bluff (865) 769-3700 www.penn-station.com Restaurants
East Tennessee Community Design Center (865) 525-9945 www.communitydc.org Architectural & Engineering Services
Penn Station - Fountain City (865) 687-7366 www.penn-station.com Restaurants
Eddie’s Health Shoppe (865) 693-4909 www.eddieshealthshoppe.com Personal Services: Fitness & Well-being
Penn Station - Kingston Pike (502) 643-9404 www.penn-station.com Restaurants
Fletcher’s Carpet Cleaning & Stretching (865) 986-9800 www.fletcherscarpettn.com Residential Services: Cleaning Services
Regions Bank - Northshore (865) 415-3280 www.regions.com Financial Services: Banks
HEP Is On The Way Plumbing Services (865) 999-2361 www.knoxvilleplumber.net Construction & Contractors: Plumbing
Solara Technical (214) 906-9853 www.solaratech.com Electrical Supplies & Services
Jared Hall - State Farm (865) 622-8793 www.agentjaredhall.com Insurance
Tennessee Mountain Real Estate - Karen Terry (865) 789-2180 www.tnhomesbykaren.com Real Estate: Residential
KJ Cookies (865) 659-2911 www.kjcookies.etsy.com Restaurants: Sweet Treats & Bakeries
Victoria Pack - Realty Executives Associates (865) 617-5363 Real Estate: Residential
Knox Graphics & Designs (865) 777-5669 www.knoxgraphicsdesigns.com Business & Professional Services: Signs
TOP ACHIEVERS 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.
COLBY MCLEMORE COLBY’S PHOTOGRAPHY
EDITOR LYNSEY WILSON ASSISTANT EDITOR JESSICA GUTMAN DESIGN LADDY FIELDS CONTACT THE KNOXVILLE CHAMBER (865) 637-4550 www.knoxvillechamber.com PRESIDENT & CEO MICHAEL EDWARDS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RHONDA RICE CLAYTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DOUG LAWYER FINANCE & OPERATIONS LARRY JOHNSON
LANDON PYLE R&S LOGISTICS
MEMBERSHIP MARK FIELD PUBLIC POLICY AMY NOLAN
CENTRAL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (865) 246-2654 mhummel@downtownknoxville.org
3RD PLACE
Cinnaholic (865) 696-8056 www.cinnaholic.com Restaurants: Sweet Treats & Bakeries
THE KNOXVILLE CHAMBER’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
1ST PLACE
Bailey International, LLC (800) 800-1810 www.baileyhydraulics.com Manufacturing
Lonnie Jones Agency - Allstate (865) 675-0300 www.agents.allstate.com/lonnie-jones-jr-knoxville-tn.html Insurance: Property & Casualty
2ND PLACE
BRONZE PREMIER PARTNERS
CODY BIGGS HAMPTON INN & SUITES DOWNTOWN KNOXVILLE
Williamsburg Villas (865) 573-0100 www.fivestarseniorliving.com Social Services:Senior Services
K N O X V I L L E C H A M B E R | 52
THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (865) 546-5887 TENNESSEE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER (865) 246-2663 LEADERSHIP KNOXVILLE (865) 523-9137 U.S. DEPT. OF COMMERCE EXPORT ASSISTANCE CENTER (865) 545-4637
14th Annual Pinnacle Business Awards Celebrates Regional Business Excellence
BY: JESSICA GUTMAN
More than 600 people gathered at the Knoxville Convention Center on May 4 to celebrate the finalists and winners of the Knoxville Chamber’s 14th Annual Pinnacle Business Awards, presented by Regions Bank. The gala kicked off with a reception and silent auction, sponsored by Radio Systems Corp. Attendees then transitioned into the convention center’s ballroom to enjoy dinner and the awards program, emceed by WBIR-TV’s Robin Wilhoit. Companies and individuals were recognized in eight award categories, which highlight the range of businesses that make up Knoxville’s thriving, vibrant economy, and honor contributions to the local community.
2018 PINNACLE AWARD WINNERS: The Impact Award, sponsored by Publix, honors a business that displays a commitment to making East Tennessee a better place to live and work through the development and support of community projects or programs. This year’s finalists were Master Service Companies, Strata-G, LLC and Blount County Eye Center. This year’s winner is Strata-G, LLC. Its team of more than 200 engineers, scientists, safety professionals and project managers is dedicated to the responsible care of client-entrusted resources in the environmental, energy, utilities, manufacturing and infrastructure sectors. Since its inception in 2002, Strata-G has aspired to create a positive impact through a three-part definition of corporate significance: hire exceptional people, empower them to earn customer respect and invest time, talent, and treasure in the community. The Strata-G outreach program focuses on four areas: food and shelter for neighbors in greatest need; education investments to positively affect the life trajectories of local youth; stewardship and conservation of the environment for present
and future generations; and grassroots causes dearest to the hearts of company employees. Strata-G desires to create the greatest possible impact for those they serve by coupling financial gifts with investment of the team’s time and professional talents. The Innovator Award, sponsored by Cirrus Insight, is given to a business that has developed a new technology, innovative product or service, or applied a business system or service in an innovative way. The finalists this year were 2:45Tech, Smart RIA and GRIDSMART Technologies, Inc. GRIDSMART Technologies, Inc. took home this year’s award. The company develops, commercializes and sells efficient Intelligent Traffic Systems through the Internet of Everything and services to municipal partners around the world. GRIDSMART is the world’s only single-camera solution for intersection actuation, traffic data collection and situational awareness. GRIDSMART’s iconic Bell Camera delivers the industry’s only horizon-to-horizon view with exclusive enter-to-exit tracking. Built on uncompromising core principles – simple, flexible and transparent, GRIDSMART delivers simple solutions for complex traffic problems for customers of all sizes. The Small Business Excellence Award is presented to a business with 50 or fewer employees that has consistently grown its workforce and revenue and overcome obstacles including access to capital, operational efficiency, control of expenses, customer loyalty and distribution. Finalists in this category were TAG Resources, LLC, Pipe Wrench Plumbing, Heating and Cooling and Axle Logistics. This year’s recipient is Pipe Wrench Plumbing, Heating and Cooling. Starting with one employee and a single truck in 1998, Pipe Wrench Plumbing, Heating and Cooling has grown steadily over their 19-year history. Originally offering only plumbing services, in 2014 they added HVAC services to diversify the business, and in 2017 experienced growth that exceeded all previous company projections – generating a 40 percent increase in new business, a customer retention rate that is 20 percent above industry average, 26 new employees and 12 additional vehicles in their fleet. The Minority-Owned Business Excellence Award, sponsored by Covenant Health, recognizes a minority-owned business that has produced outstanding business results and growth and overcome the obstacles of race or ethnicity. This year’s finalists were Compassionate Care Home Health, Insurefit RM and MBK Wellness of Knoxville. MBK Wellness of Knoxville received this year’s award. In 2011, the Massage By Kenneth (MBK) brand was officially launched, and what started as a massage practice developed into a whole-body health solution. In 2016, the
CONTINUED ON PAGE 54
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company was rebranded as MBK Wellness coinciding with the opening of owner Kenneth Robinson’s first private studio and extended product line. Currently two specialized therapists call the Bearden studio home, and a second MBK Wellness studio is scheduled to open in the spring of 2020. In addition to massage therapy, MBK Wellness’ product lines include: a natural full-body sugar scrub, an all-natural herbal tea lotion, aromatherapy soy massage candles and an essential oil air spray. Some of the massage and therapy techniques utilized by MBK Wellness include Cupping, Traditional Thai Massage, Reflexology, Hot Stone Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Chinese Acupressure and Pain Management Massage. The Woman-Owned Business Excellence Award, sponsored by Cannon & Cannon, is given to an outstanding woman-owned business that is independently owned, operated and controlled by a female. The winner demonstrates the ability to compete in a non-diverse field. BGT Recruiting & Consulting, The Pavilion at Hunter Valley Farm, LLC and Knoxville Graphic House were finalists for this category. This year’s winner is BGT Recruiting and Consulting. BGT was established in January of 2012 by owners Jill Green and Christine Bell with nothing but their personal credit cards and a $5,000 loan from a family member. As former hiring managers themselves, Jill and Christine saw a need for recruiting and consulting services that meet the needs of all businesses — large or small — and felt they had an approach that would allow them to meet their clients’ needs more effectively. Now in its fifth year of business, BGT provides recruiting services in the greater Knoxville area and consulting services for companies locally and nationally. It places professionals in permanent, contract, and temp roles; and its recruiting services focus mainly on accounting, finance, HR, admin, marketing, operations, and sales disciplines. The company has experienced a significant amount of growth over its 5+ years in business, and has doubled its full-time employees since inception – from two to four – and anticipates this number to grow by at least one or two employees over the next two years. The Business Excellence Award is divided into a mid-sized category for businesses with 51-200 employees, and a large company category for those with 201 or more employees. These awards are presented to businesses headquartered in East Tennessee, or those with a significant presence in East Tennessee that have shown remarkable profitability, growth and stability and are recognized regionally, nationally and/or internationally in their respective business sectors. Finalists for the Mid-Sized Business Excellence Award, sponsored by Master Service Companies, were Lloyd’s Electric Service, Inc., Michael Brady, Inc. and Rodefer Moss & Co, PLLC. Lloyd’s Electric Service, Inc. took home this year’s award. In 1982, the father and son team of Jim and Doug Lloyd formed Lloyd’s Electric Service, Inc. Jim Lloyd, a firefighter for the City of Knoxville and his son Doug, a master electrician, provided residential and small commercial electrical jobs. The company’s quality-driven services attracted the attention of three notable clients: Pilot Oil Company, Lowe’s and the Copper Cellar Corp., which is still a client today. Today, Lloyd’s Electric provides high-quality commercial and industrial electrical services throughout the Southeast along with in-house divisions that provide HVAC/refrigeration, alternative energy solutions, back-up power and data and telecommunication products and services. Finalists for the Large Business Excellence Award, sponsored by LBMC, PC, included Burleson Brands, Covenant Health and DeRoyal Industries. This year’s winner is DeRoyal Industries. Since 1973, DeRoyal’s industry-lead-
ing healthcare products and related business services have been helping providers improve the care of their patients. A world-class company with a home-town feel, they credit their success to producing quality products, building customer relationships and providing innovative, technological solutions that help clients care for their customers. Celebrating 45 years in business, DeRoyal is a proven, sustainable company operating today with the same mission and values on which the company was founded – listen, care, deliver. The Young Entrepreneur Award, presented by Rodefer Moss & Co, PLLC, is awarded to a young professional, 40 years of age or younger as of May 4, 2018, who lives and works in East Tennessee and has achieved success while overcoming obstacles, to become one of tomorrow’s top leaders. The winner will have started or is at risk in ownership of his/her business and will have moved the company from early growth to some maturity. This year’s finalists were Andrew Randazzo of Prime Medical Training, Bradford Jones of Bradford Catered Events and Dr. Will Tantum of Blount County Eye Center. The 2018 recipient is Bradford Jones, CEO of Bradford Catered Events. Taking ownership of Bradford Catered Events from his father in 2014, Bradford Jones now runs the full-service, off-site catering company that services the East Tennessee area for weddings, social events, corporate events, parties and galas. As an approved, preferred or exclusive caterer for over 50 area event venues such as University of Tennessee Athletics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the City of Knoxville and Y-12 National Security Complex, Bradford Catered Events was voted the Cityview Magazine Best of the Best Caterer for 2017. Jones also operates a long time Knoxville favorite, The Lunchbox, as a grab-and-go café concept with two Knoxville area locations. The James A. Haslam II Chairman’s Leadership Award, presented by Prestige Cleaners, is given to a longtime business leader that exhibits strength in character, resolve and a commitment to the community and has demonstrated exemplary success in the regional business community. This year’s honoree is Sharon Miller Pryse, CEO and founder of The Trust Company of Tennessee. An Atlanta native, Sharon Miller Pryse attended the University of Tennessee and has never considered leaving Knoxville. After graduating with a finance degree, she began as a clerk in the Trust Department of Valley Fidelity Bank. While still in her twenties, she became the bank’s youngest senior vice president; then at age 35, founded The Trust Company. Today, The Trust Company of Tennessee manages $3 billion in assets and employs 75 people across three cities. Sharon’s long-standing community commitment includes social service, the arts, economic development and education. She has served as board chair for the Knoxville Chamber, Leadership Knoxville, YMCA, United Way and has also chaired United Way’s annual fundraising campaign. Sharon supports the university that made Knoxville her home, and currently holds a position on the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees and Board of Directors for the UT Foundation. The gala concluded with a champagne toast to the winners and a Chairman’s Celebration featuring dessert, drinks and live music. The production of the 2018 Pinnacle Business Awards was made possible by assistance from All Occasions Party Rentals, M&M Productions USA, Bright Event Productions, Moser Visuals and Big Slate Media. Media sponsors for the event included the Knoxville News Sentinel, Greater Knoxville Business Journal and NewsTalk 98.7.
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Knoxville Chamber Hosts Business After Hours at Knoxville Open BY:JESSICA GUTMAN
Area business professionals gathered at Fox Den Country Club on May 10 for an evening of networking and watching the 2018 Knoxville Open. The Knoxville Chamber’s Business After Hours, sponsored by InfoSystems, brought nearly 150 people to the location’s impressive clubhouse for tasty food, drinks and great conversations overlooking the WEB.com Tour’s Knoxville Open golf tournament. Four lucky attendees took home door prizes. Rob Clark with Johnson Supply and Brenda Lott-Herron with Copper Cellar took home backpacks from InfoSystems, and Bree Bjorholm with TNBANK and Vikas Mehta with BRAVO! Knoxville won Copper Cellar 19th Hole passes.
Attendees of the Chamber’s May 10 Business After Hours enjoyed networking while watching the 2018 Knoxville Open.
Second Composites Coalition Meeting Hosted by Nashville Manufacturer BY: JESSICA GUTMAN
The second quarterly meeting of the statewide Composites Coalition was held May 16 at JR Automation in Nashville, a company that has become a leading capital equipment designer, integrator and manufacturer throughout the world. Composites industry partners and companies had the opportunity to tour the JR Automation facility, hear a presentation about advanced sensing in composite manufacturing applications and discuss apprenticeships available in Tennessee. “The recent Composites Coalition meeting was extremely valuable for attendees and facilitators,” said Doug Lawyer, vice president of economic development for the Knoxville Chamber. “We had insightful discussions about workforce challenges faced across the composites supply chain as well as avenues through which the coalition and its partners might help ease some of the burden.” He added, “We are also starting to see some success stories of companies doing business with each other as result of attending Composites Coalition meetings, and hosting the meeting in Nashville brought some newcomers to the coalition.” The next quarterly meeting will take place Aug. 29. To learn more about the Composites Coalition, visit CompositesCoalition.com.
Dale Leftwich, account manager for JR Automation, leads a discussion at the second Composites Coalition quarterly meeting.
K N O X V I L L E C H A M B E R | 55
1.
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The Knoxville Chamber hosted the 14th Annual Pinnacle Business Awards Gala, presented by Regions Bank, on May 4 at the Knoxville Convention Center. More than 600 members of the regional business community came out to celebrate the award finalists and winners. Photos by Moser Visuals. 3.
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5.
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8.
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1. The 14th Annual Pinnacle Business Awards Gala was made possible with production assistance from M&M Productions USA, All Occasions Party Rentals, Bright Event Productions, LB Floral, Moser Visuals, Big Slate Media and Southern Creative. 2. WBIR-TV’s Robin Wilhoit served as emcee for the 14th Annual Pinnacle Business Awards ceremony. 3. Pinnacle Business Awards Gala attendees were dazzled by an impressive light display from Bright Event Productions. 4. More than 600 attendees gathered at the Knoxville Convention Center on May 4 to celebrate the finalists and winners of the 14th Annual Pinnacle Business Awards. 5. The Knoxville Chamber’s membership, marketing and events teams celebrated regional business excellence at the 14th Annual Pinnacle Business Awards. 6. Members of the regional business community enjoyed the Pinnacle Business Awards Gala silent auction and reception, sponsored by Radio Systems Corporation. 7. Guests at the 14th Annual Pinnacle Business Awards were entertained by jazz music from Moonshine Rhythm Club. 8. Sharon Miller Pryse, CEO and founder of The Trust Company of Tennessee, is presented the James A. Haslam II Chairman’s Leadership Award by Eddie Mannis, founder of Prestige Cleaners and Prestige Tuxedo. 9. Rob Stivers, market president for presenting sponsor Regions Bank, toasts the winners of the 2018 Pinnacle Business Awards.
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RIBBON CUTTINGS
Nautical Boat Club celebrated the one year anniversary of its Knoxville location on April 27. The boating country club provides members private access to a diverse fleet of sleek, new watercraft fit for any occasion. They are located at Concord Marina.
Regions Bank celebrated the grand opening of its Knoxville Northshore location on April 27. The new branch offers a modern space with updated technology and personal service, including a video-banking ATM in the lobby with extended hours on weeknights, Saturdays, Sundays and most holidays. The new branch is located at 1935 Pinnacle Pointe Way.
JUNE - MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES Since 1869, the Knoxville Chamber has been the leading voice for business in the region. Each of these businesses are celebrating milestone anniversaries as Chamber members during the month of June. Thank you for your commitment to the Chamber and the community! 20 – 24 YEARS
MEMBER SINCE
Pratt Computing Technologies, Inc.
2005
Vulcan Materials Company
1948
Second Harvest Food Bank
1994
Jim Nichols, Broker/Owner, Red Door Brokers
2005
Kramer Rayson LLP
1953
South Central A/V
1997
Pipkin & Associates, LLC
2005
Bacon & Company, Inc.
1954
USI Consulting Group
1997
Bridges Funeral Home
2005
RBM Company, Inc.
1954
First Century Bank
1998
Apking Printing and Converting, Inc.
2005
Coulter & Justus, P.C.
1958
BenefitsAssist, inc.
2005
Pilot Flying J
1960
15-19 YEARS
The University of Tennessee
1966
IMG, College Sports Group
1999
Fisher Tire Company Inc. - West
2005
Barge Design Solutions
1972
Frazier Welding & Steel Co., Inc.
1999
Glass Bazaar
2005
The Ferguson Company, Inc.
1975
Alzheimer’s Tennessee
1999
Halls Vision Clinic
2005
Maryville College
1977
Luedeka Neely Group, PC
1999
Pioneer Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
2005
AT&T 1980
Days Inn West
2000
Allan Associates Architects, PLLC
2005
Farmers Mutual of Tennessee
1981
Dr. Christopher O’Rourke
2000
Inova Payroll, Inc.
2005
Knoxville Symphony Society
1983
George C. Paris Co., Inc.
2000
Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association
2006
Royal Brass and Hose
1983
Norco Metal Finishing, Inc.
2000
Airgas USA, LLC
2006
Turley & Company
1984
Southeastern Communications Services, Inc.
2001
Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
2006
Ross the Boss & Co.
1987
Bijou Theatre Center
2002
Security Walls, LLC
2006
S & S Wholesale Tire of Knoxville, Inc.
1987
Hickory Construction, Inc.
2003
Southeastern Dermatology
2006
Pepsi Beverages Company
2003
Parker Business Consulting & Accounting, PC
2006
LDA Engineering
2003
Pyxl, Inc
2007
Scapa Tapes North America
2003
Mountain Commerce Bank
2007
31+ YEARS
25 – 30 YEARS
MEMBER SINCE
MEMBER SINCE
MEMBER SINCE
EnergySolutions 2005
Merit Construction, Inc.
1990
Denark Construction, Inc.
1990
Broadway Carpets, Inc.
1991
10 – 14 YEARS
S&ME, Inc.
1993
Analysis and Measurement Services Corporation
The Wakefield Corporation
1993
TekLinks 2004
Commercial Bank
2008
Otis Elevator Company
A & W Supply
2008
Dura-Line 2007
MEMBER SINCE 2004 2005
K N O X V I L L E C H A M B E R | 58
Buchanan Paint Company
2007
Fletcher 2008
MONTHLY ECONOMIC INDICATORS
(April 2018)
NOTES – Knoxville MSA includes: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Grainger, Knox, Loudon, Morgan, Roane & Union Counties.
WORKFORCE Resident Labor Force Knox Co. Knoxville MSA Tennessee U.S.
HOUSING MARKET % Change Mar. ’17Mar. ‘18
Mar. 2018
Feb. 2018
Mar. 2017
% Change Feb. ’18Mar. ‘18
239,290 421,670 3,235,000 161,548,000
239,440 422,510 3,231,900 161,494,000
234,000 414,030 3,178,200 159,912,000
-0.1 -0.2 0.1 0.0
2.3 1.8 1.8 1.0
397,200 3,039,100
396,600 3,020,300
392,700 2,987,000
0.2 0.6
1.1 1.7
6,950 13,690 111,800
7,050 14,250 117,900
9,190 18,360 147,400
-1.4 -3.9 -5.2
-24.4 -25.4 -24.2
2.9 3.2 3.5 4.1
2.9 3.4 3.6 4.4
3.9 4.4 4.6 4.6
0.0 -0.2 -0.1 -0.3
-1.0 -1.2 -1.1 -0.5
Non-Ag Employment Knoxville MSA Tennessee
Residential Closings Residential Inventory Median Residential Price
Apr. 2018 1,686 5,819 $179,000
Unemployment Rates Knox Co. Knoxville MSA Tennessee U.S.
Sources: Tennessee Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
INFLATION RATES - CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI)
*Southeast Region Avg. U.S. Avg. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
% Change Apr. ’16Apr. ‘18 0.2 0.3
Apr. ’17-‘18
Mar. ’17-‘18
Apr. ’16-‘17
2.3 2.5
2.1 2.4
2.1 2.2
0.2 0.1
% Change Apr. ’17Apr. ‘18
Knoxville (City)
Total Single-Family Multi-Family
Mar. 2018* 31 31 0
Mar. 2017 42 28 14
% Change Mar. ’17Mar. ‘18 -26.2 10.7 -100.0
Knox Co.
Total Single-Family Multi-Family
156 156 0
199 185 14
-21.6 -15.7 -100.0
Knoxville MSA
Total Single-Family Multi-Family
301 286 15
319 291 28
-5.6 -1.7 -46.4
Tennessee
Total Single-Family Multi-Family
2,372 2,012 360
3,106 2,117 989
-23.6 -5.0 -63.6
Knox Co. Knoxville MSA Tennessee
Apr. 2018
Mar. 2018
Apr. 2017
% Change Mar. ’18Apr. ‘18
57,017,669 87,422,120 789,954,376
48,943,682 74,202,869 659,455,833
55,890,123 84,924,359 757,299,253
16.5 17.8 19.8
2.0 2.9 4.3
16,815,966 26,511,797
13,894,262 21,688,414
15,366,913 24,056,731
21.0 22.2
9.4 10.2
AIR SERVICE (MCGHEE-TYSON AIRPORT)
Passengers Freight
Feb. 2018 139,768 6,241,194
Jan. 2018 143,995 7,180,525
Feb. 2017 123,011 6,328,616
% Change Jan. ’18Feb. ‘18 -2.9 -13.1
% Change Feb. ’17Feb. ‘18 13.6 -1.4
Source: Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority
Local Sales Tax Knox Co. Knoxville MSA
*All 2018 building permit data is preliminary and therefore subject to revision throughout the year. Sources: U.S. Housing & Urban Development – SOCDS – State of the Cities Data Systems; U.S. Census Bureau – Building Permits Survey
*South – City Size Class B/C
SALES TAX REVENUE - STATE & LOCAL ($) State Sales Tax
1,566 6,834 $169,900
RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMITS
- ALL ITEMS
% Change Mar. ’17Apr. ‘18
Apr. 2017
% Change Apr. ’17Apr. ‘18 7.7 -14.9 5.4
Source: Knoxville Area Association of Realtors
Unemployment Estimates Knox Co. Knoxville MSA Tennessee
Mar. 2018 1,671 5,761 $185,000
% Change Mar. ’18Apr. ‘18 0.9 1.0 -3.2
Source: Tennessee Dept. of Revenue
RETAIL SALES - NATIONAL (IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS) Category Total Retail Sales Building Materials Clothing Stores Electronics & Appliances Food & Beverage Stores Food Svcs & Drinking Places Furniture & Home Furnishings Gasoline Stations General Merchandise Stores Health & Personal Care Stores Miscellaneous Stores Motor Vehicle & Parts Sales Non-store Retailers Sporting Goods/Books/ Hobby/Music
Apr. 2018
Mar. 2018
485,432 35,676 20,879 7,168 58,743 59,331 9,256 42,089 55,031 26,852 10,761 100,638 52,801
511,939 32,282 22,554 8,094 63,097 62,323 10,273 41,467 59,156 28,596 10,937 110,843 55,416
467,675 33,776 20,970 7,013 58,782 57,537 8,749 37,607 55,451 26,795 10,302 97,175 47,069
% Change Mar. ’18Apr. ‘18 -5.2 10.5 -7.4 -11.4 -6.9 -4.8 -9.9 1.5 -7.0 -6.1 -1.6 -9.2 -4.7
6,207
6,901
6,449
-10.1
Apr. 2017
% Change Apr. ’17Apr. ‘18 3.8 5.6 -0.4 2.2 -0.1 3.1 5.8 11.9 -0.8 0.2 4.5 3.6 12.2 -3.8
EST. 1869 For more information on research, contact Joe Riley, jriley@knoxvillechamber.com.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau – Advance Monthly Retail Trade Report
K N O X V I L L E C H A M B E R | 59
Fittest Companies Recognized at Annual a.m. Exchange BY: JESSICA GUTMAN
The Knoxville Chamber’s annual a.m. Exchange with the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon was held at Fort Sanders Health and Fitness Center on May 8. Attendees enjoyed making connections with area professionals over breakfast provided by All Occasion Catering. During the event, awards for the Humana Fittest Company Challenge were presented to the winners. The Fittest Company Challenge is an opportunity for friendly competition among area businesses during all Knoxville Marathon events. Companies receive one point per mile finished for each employee who participates in a race. Two lucky guests took home the morning’s door prizes, a three-month membership to Fort Sanders Health and Fitness Center: Marilyn Cobble with CBBC Bank and Whittani Walden with the Real Estate Firm.
2018 HUMANA FITTEST COMPANY CHALLENGE WINNERS Large Category (501+ employees) 1. Clayton Homes (3478.05 points) 2. Pilot Flying J (2612.50 points) 3. DENSO Manufacturing (1771.85 points) Medium Category (101-500 employees) 1. Radio Systems Corporation (845.20 points) 2. ORNL Federal Credit Union (617.90 points) 3. Mortgage Investors Group (436.20 points) Small Category (100 employees or less) 1. Fleet Feet Sports Knoxville (192.00 points) 2. WBIR Channel 10 (124.10 points) 3. Threds, Inc. (121.30 points)
ABOVE: Knoxville business professionals gathered at Fort Sanders Health and Fitness Center for the Chamber’s annual a.m. Exchange hosted by the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon.
Lawmakers Spurned Most Bills That Undermined Education Reform Efforts BY: AMY NOLAN
Bills that sought to curtail accountability measures in Tennessee’s public schools died during the recent legislative session, although when problems arose with the state’s student assessment, TNReady, legislators quickly acted to ensure students and teachers were held harmless before they headed home to campaign. A bill passed on the final day of the legislative session in late April allows students, teachers and local school systems to ignore poor TNReady scores when calculating grades or preparing evaluations. Local education agencies, like Knox County Schools, were also given the option to determine how much to consider TNReady scores if they were positive, within a range of 0 to 15 percent. Knox County Schools has since approved counting the test results – if positive – as 5 percent of students’ grades. The legislation was among several bills that dealt with standardized tests for K-12 students, prompting Gov. Bill Haslam to warn earlier in the year about rolling back reforms that contributed to Tennessee’s gains in public education. The resulting legislation had little impact on future assessments, although lawmakers have made clear their frustration with online test-taking, which was disrupted by several factors including a dump truck severing a fiber line. Bills concerning student assessments were among 104 bills traveling in the Legislature that the Knoxville Chamber followed this year. Two bills passed that are designed to link students with careers in skilled trades. Retiring Rep. Harry Brooks successfully sought to expand class sizes for Career and Technical Education by school systems operating career academies. Another bill creates a tax credit for employers hiring work-based learning students and shields them from liability with the exception of workers’ compensation in doing so. Sen. Richard Briggs and Rep. Eddie Smith passed legislation that will allow students obtaining an associate’s degree program at Knoxville College to be eligible for Tennessee Promise scholarship funds. The measure is part of a larger effort to resurrect the historically black college that includes selling part of its property to the city, which plans to build a new police and fire headquarters and tear down the college’s vacant dormitories. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission voted in mid-May to allow Knoxville College to begin offering a Liberal Studies Associate of Arts degree, a two-year general studies associate’s degree. On another topic, legislators appear to have finally reached a compromise in a battle that pitted short-term rental company AirBnB and its hosts against local government and neighborhoods who have sought to place more restrictions on where such properties can operate. The compromise shields current owners of short-term rentals from being outlawed by local government until the property is sold, transferred, ceases being used as a short-term rental unit for a period of 30 months or has violated local law three or more separate times. The law also allows local governments to issue – and suspend – permits for short-term rental units. Another battle between business and local government also ended up in a compromise both sides say they can live with for now. The Competitive Wireless BroadCONTINUED ON PAGE 62
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Knoxville Chamber’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy Student Places Second at National Competition BY: JESSICA GUTMAN
Hannah Rodriguez, a recent graduate of Clayton Bradley Academy, is making strides as a social media expert and influencer. With more than 140,000 subscribers and nearly 8 million video views on YouTube, as well as more than 10,000 followers on Instagram, Hannah has built a powerful lifestyle brand as a teenage entrepreneur and content creator. Her social media and web expertise led her Hannah Rodriquez presents her business, Hannah Ashton to create a company – Content, at the YEA! Saunders Scholars National Competition. Photo courtesy of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy Hannah Ashton Content – that helps others grow their online presence. Hannah offers one-on-one consultations and YouTube training courses with the personal flair and knowledge of running her own successful social media channels. Her six-week digital course helps people create and grow successful YouTube channels, including sessions about theme consistency and scheduling, content creation, understanding the YouTube algorithm, social media and marketing and planning for future growth. In addition to providing coaching services, Hannah regularly produces videos, podcasts and blog posts about lifestyle, entrepreneurship and women empowerment. Hannah took part in the Knoxville Chamber’s 2017-18 Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) to finalize her business plan and dive deeper into finances and analytics. After pitching her business at the Knoxville YEA! investor panel, she was awarded $500 in start-up funding and selected to represent East Tennessee at the YEA! Saunders Scholars National Competition in May. She took home second place out of nearly 70 students from across the country. Hannah will attend Belmont University in Nashville this fall to study entrepreneurship and marketing.
Q&A WITH HANNAH RODRIGUEZ DESCRIBE HANNAH ASHTON CONTENT. WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH WITH IT? I not only run a YouTube channel, podcast and blog focused on women’s lifestyles, but I also consult with women on how to start and sustain YouTube channels that share their voice. With this business, my goal is to share the knowledge and passion I’ve gained from owning a YouTube channel! WHEN DID YOU FIRST REALIZE YOU WANTED TO START AND RUN YOUR OWN BUSINESS? My dad is an entrepreneur, so I’ve seen the benefits of running a business throughout my whole life. When I started my YouTube channel, I wasn’t expecting it to turn into a business. I just continued to upload videos about my life and all of a sudden, I was making money doing what I love. HOW DID THE CHAMBER’S YEA! PROGRAM HELP YOU GROW YOUR BUSINESS? YEA! was a huge inspiration to me. I loved my main mentor, Haseeb Qureshi. He gave great advice on the financial and analytical side of the business, but more than that he was motivated and engaged throughout the whole program. I not only left the program with a more detailed business plan but also a life-long business friend. WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN FIVE YEARS? In five years, I hope to be living in Nashville, Tenn. and still coaching women on social media, YouTube and how they can create a career they love through the internet! I also want to be hosting events and workshops to inspire not only digitally, but in communities too.
Learn more about Hannah: HannahAshton.com
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band Investment, Deployment and Safety of 2018, pushed by telecommunications companies, is intended to promote the deployment of small cell technology to facilitate 5G wireless services by creating a statewide regulatory framework. The new law creates minimum standards for local governments to create siting requirements for small wireless facilities, and effectively prohibits local governments from imposing stricter requirements than state law. It also creates a maximum annual rental fee that local governments may charge for allowing equipment to be attached to its buildings, water towers, traffic signals, light poles, etc. Initiatives in two areas on Gov. Haslam’s agenda – reforming how opioids are prescribed and tracked and streamlining the University of Tennessee’s governance – passed, albeit with some revisions from what his administration initially proposed. Rep. Bill Dunn played a leading role in getting the administration bills related to opioid abuse through the House. One bill created incentives for offenders to complete substance use treatment while incarcerated and updated the schedule of controlled substances to better track, monitor and penalize the use and unlawful distribution of opioids. The other limited the duration and dosage of opioid prescriptions for new patients. Finally, the University of Tennessee became the focus of legislators’ ire as media attention and a Facebook post by the Rev. Franklin Graham chided the state for the student-sponsored Sex Week on UT’s Knoxville campus. Legislators passed the Governor’s UT FOCUS Act, which reduced the size of the Board of Trustees from 27 members to 12, and then refused to approve nominations of any current trustees. Legislators also looked ahead to future governance of UT – knowing UT President Joe DiPietro will likely retire in 2019 – by changing the selection process for a new president by requiring the search committee to select up to three finalists versus mandating three finalists. Proponents of the measure hope it will allow trustees to recruit a high-performing leader for the post.
RIBBON CUTTING
UPCOMING EVENTS
JUNE 7 a.m. Exchange hosted by Pipe Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc. 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Pipe Wrench Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, Inc. - 10641 Braden Dickey Lane #5 Hosted by::
JUNE 14 Shrimp Boil 2018 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Jackson Terminal - 213 West Jackson Avenue
JUNE 20 “The Psychology behind the Sale” – Workshop by Sandler Training 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM Knoxville Chamber – 17 Market Square, #201 Presented by:
JUNE 26 New Member Orientation 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Knoxville Chamber – 17 Market Square, #201
Master Battery celebrated the grand re-opening of its Knoxville location on April 20. They provide retail and commercial customers battery products, accessories and related services. The new store is located at 2217 Callahan Drive.
REGISTER FOR EVENTS AT KNOXVILLECHAMBER.COM/EVENTS-CALENDAR.
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