Industry Insights

JULY 2024 LAWRENCE COUNTY’S ECOMONIC INSIGHTS & UPDATES

The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the launch of "Industry Insights," a quarterly newsletter dedicated to showcasing the achievements and developments among the industries that call our community home. This newsletter aims to highlight the activities happening in our business community, offering a platform to share success stories, innovative projects, and milestones.

We believe that sharing these insights will foster a sense of connection among business leaders and pride among workers. It allows us to celebrate the hard work and dedication of each industry, while also providing

valuable information to our community. By featuring your stories, we can collectively promote economic development, collaboration, and innovation in Lawrence County.

We invite you to participate by submitting your success stories, upcoming projects, or any exciting news from your local business or about your industry, generally.

Your contributions will help us create a comprehensive and engaging newsletter that reflects the dynamic nature of our local economy.

Let’s work together to keep everyone informed and inspired. Please send all information to Kristin Doss at kristin@lawcotn.com. Submit your stories today and be a part of this exciting new initiative!

Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 75 Years "We look forward to continuing our work, which is only made possible because of the quality partnership built over the years between local businesses and local government.”

The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce its 75th anniversary, marking a significant milestone for the organization. For the past seven and a half decades, the Chamber has been dedicated to fostering economic growth, supporting local businesses, and working to enhance the quality of life in Lawrence County.

To commemorate this special occasion, the Chamber has unveiled a special logo commemorating the anniversary, which will be prominently displayed throughout the year.

"The Chamber's 75th anniversary is not just a chance to celebrate the past, but an opportunity to look ahead.

The leadership of our business community has built an economy that provides jobs for our people and is a testament to the resilience and vitality of our local businesses and the community as a whole," said Ryan Egly, the Chamber’s President & CEO. 1

Over the next year, you will see our new logo featured in various events, publications, and marketing materials, reflecting our dedication to Lawrence County's future.

The Chamber will host a series of special events and initiatives to celebrate this milestone, highlighting our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and community engagement.

As we celebrate 75 years of service, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, partners, and the entire Lawrence County community for their unwavering support. Together, we look forward to a future filled with continued growth and success.

For more information about our 75th anniversary celebrations and upcoming events, please visit our website at LawCoTN.com or contact the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce at 931-762-4911.

Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce

Flexco Products of Tennessee, LLC to Establish Manufacturing and Distribution Operations in Lawrenceburg LAWRENCEBURG (February) Flexco Products of Tennessee, LLC officials announced the company will invest $17.5 million to establish manufacturing and distribution operations in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.

Flexco will create 60 new jobs in Lawrence County.

Flexco Products is a producer of tubing and steel and aluminum fabrication. Flexco serves a diverse array of industries, and its manufacturing capabilities expand to more than 30,000 original equipment manufacturer products. The company’s services continually exceed expectations and are not customized to industry but to the customer.

The Tennessee plant will be the company’s second U.S. location and will be centrally located to better serve Flexco’s customers with more efficient production and shipping times.

“I am excited to welcome Flexco to Lawrenceburg. Their new operations complement our existing industrial base and these new career opportunities will benefit the entire region.” – Lawrenceburg Mayor Blake Lay

Founded in 1977 by Tom Jellison, in Elkhart, Indiana,

TNECD Dickson County HasSource: Filled Two Positions

Lawrence County Employment & Unemployment Rates THE IMPORTANCE OF A DIVERSE WORKFORCE

WHY TRACK UNEMPLOYMENT RATES? Tracking the local unemployment rate is crucial as it provides insight into the economic health of a community, reflecting the availability of jobs and the performance of local businesses. High unemployment rates can indicate economic distress, potentially leading to increased poverty and reduced consumer spending, which further impacts small businesses. Conversely, low unemployment rates suggest a robust economy with ample job opportunities, fostering economic growth and stability. Policymakers and local governments rely on unemployment data to make informed decisions regarding economic policies, workforce development, and social services. Additionally, businesses use this information to strategize investments, expansions, and hiring plans, ensuring alignment with the local economic climate.

Lawrence County boasts a highly diverse workforce, which is essential for the economic resilience of our community. This diversity helps reduce dependency on a single industry, thereby promoting long-term economic vitality. It also creates a wide range of job opportunities, contributing to lower unemployment and higher labor force participation rates.

Additionally, the variety of sectors encourages innovation and collaboration, as businesses share knowledge and resources. Overall, our diverse workforce strengthens the community and supports long-term growth and stability.

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Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce

STRHS-Lawrenceburg Awarded ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from Leapfrog Group New Grade for Spring 2024 is a national recognition for patient safety (Lawrenceburg, Tennessee – April 19, 2024) – Southern Tennessee Regional Health System – Lawrenceburg received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group. This national distinction celebrates STRHS-Lawrenceburg’s achievements in protecting hospital patients from preventable harm and errors.

I applaud the hospital leadership and workforce for their strong commitment to safety and transparency,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is a sign that hospitals are continuously evaluating their performance, so that they can best protect patients. Your hospital team should be extremely proud of their dedication and achievement.”

“We are very pleased with this high mark, which places STRHS-Lawrenceburg among the top tier of hospitals across the country when it comes to patient safety,” said Mike Howard, CEO of STRHS-Lawrenceburg. “I would like to extend my personal gratitude to every member of our team from our nurses, clinical and ancillary staff to our physicians, board members and volunteers for their ongoing commitment to quality care and patient safety.”

The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization with a 10-year history of assigning letter grades to general hospitals throughout the United States, based on a hospital’s ability to prevent medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public. Hospital Safety Grade results are based on more than 30 national performance measures and are updated each fall and spring.

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Source: Southern Tennessee Regional Health Systems Lawrenceburg

Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce

2024 Annual Chamber Golf Tournament: A Huge Success The 2024 Annual Chamber Golf Tournament was a tremendous success, bringing together local businesses and community members for a day of fun and friendly competition. Each year, this event fosters valuable connections within our business community. We are pleased to announce the winners: In the First Flight, AllSource Transportation, LLC secured 1st place, with Title and Escrow of Lawrence Co., LLC in 2nd place. The Second Flight saw Blueline Pressure Washing Services take 1st place, followed by Elliott Insurance in 2nd. In the Third Flight, Kittrell's Kars of Columbia and Lawrenceburg achieved 1st place, with Lorik Automation claiming 2nd place.

We also congratulate the winners of the Closest to the Pin competition: Jeremy Bedford on Hole 2, David Lake on Hole 5, Brian Green on Hole 15, and Lucas Hatfield on Hole 17.

Thank you to all our sponsors who made this event possible: Evers Construction Company as our Presenting Sponsor, Kittrells Golf Karts as our Cart Sponsor, Cardin Distributing Co., Inc. as our Beverage Sponsor, and Tiffany Taylor Cope Crye-Leike Realtor & Marty Bradley Crye-Leike Realtor as our Lunch Sponsors. Also, a huge thank you to our Course and Hole Sponsors. We are looking forward to another great tournament next year.

Source: Lawrence County Chamber - May 2024

LAWRENCE COUNTY CHAMBER LAUNCHES HOUSING SURVEY TO ASSESS FUTURE HOUSING DEMAND The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Next Move Group to complete a comprehensive housing study and survey aimed at determining the number of new homes required annually to meet the needs of our growing community.

This important survey received more than 300 responses over the last month. The Chamber released a general survey for citizens, business leaders, and economic development stakeholders and a secondary survey to target employees of Lawrence County’s major employers. The survey seeks to gather information about the housing needs and preferences of both groups. By understanding the demand for new homes, the Chamber will be better equipped to provide information to developers and support community planning.

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“We believe that a thorough understanding of our housing needs is essential to sustain our growth,” explained Ryan Egly. “This study will help us retain and recruit the workforce our businesses need to be successful and that our community needs to grow our economy.”

Results from the survey will be compiled and analyzed to create a detailed report, which will be shared with local government officials, developers, and the public.

The report will serve as a foundation for strategic planning and policy making to address current and future housing needs. Officials anticipate that the study will be released September 2024.

Source: Lawrence County Chamber Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce

STATE AND CHAMBER OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE $4.5 MILLION SITE DEVELOPMENT GRANT AWARDED TO LAWRENCE COUNTY Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter announced 15 new Site Development Grant recipients.

The grants, totaling more than $17 million, are designed to help communities invest in infrastructure and engineering improvements to land economic development projects and achieve Select Tennessee site certification. Lawrence County will receive $4.5 million to extend water, sewer, and natural gas infrastructure into the certified Lawrenceburg Industrial Park and to acquire property required for its future development. A full list of grant recipients can be found here.

“What happens in rural Tennessee matters to all Tennesseans, and we’ve made significant investments to strengthen the skilled workforce in our rural counties,” said Lee. “TNECD’s Site Development grant program further supports those efforts by creating high-quality jobs for thousands of Tennesseans across our state and spurring future economic growth.”

“From Memphis to Mountain City, Tennessee has so many rural communities,” said McWhorter. “Economic growth in our rural regions is vital to our future, and I’m grateful to all involved for helping make this round of grants happen.”

Applications were reviewed by an advisory committee made up of TNECD, Austin Consulting, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Each application was supported by the community’s senator and representatives in the Tennessee General Assembly.

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The Site Development Grant program is part of the Rural Economic Opportunity Act, which provides funding to improve the economies of Tennessee’s rural communities. Since 2016, TNECD has awarded 180 Site Development Grants across the state, totaling nearly $100 million in assistance to local communities and generating 7,011 new jobs for Tennesseans. The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce has partnered with TNECD and local leaders to secure nearly $7 million in site development grants since the program’s inception. Funding has been used to improve industrial access roads, conduct due diligence studies, expand site inventory, and will now be used to extend industrialgrade utility infrastructure for future use.

“When we host prospective businesses, one of the first topics of discussion includes local utility capacity and the time required to build infrastructure to serve their business,” explained Vic Pusser, CEO of Lawrenceburg Utility Systems (LUS). “LUS is proud to partner with the Chamber and the Joint Economic & Community Development Board of Lawrence County to complete this project and give prospects confidence that we are prepared to serve their operations.”

“Industrial site development is a marathon, not a sprint,” said Lawrence County Chamber President & CEO Ryan Egly. “It has taken us nearly a decade to get to this point and this project ensures that our site—and our community at-large—is competitively positioned to recruit new businesses that will create new job opportunities for the region.”

Source: TNECD June 2024 Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce

LAWRENCE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVE KEY MEASURES IN SPECIAL SESSION During their Special Session on Tuesday, June 25, the Lawrence County Commissioners approved several significant measures, with the highlight being the county’s 2024-25 budget. This budget, which includes no tax increase and healthy fund balance, underscores the county's commitment to fiscal responsibility and continued community support.

Bond Approval for Infrastructure and Education: A $20.8 million bond has been approved, providing $6 million for Lawrence County roads, $12 million for future school construction projects, and funding for capital projects such as new convenience centers for trash and recyclable disposal, along with improvements at several county buildings.

Healthcare: The Commissioners have greenlit the purchase of land for a new 12,500-square-foot Lawrence County Health Department. This new facility, to be located between Mahr and Liberty Avenues bordering Brannon Street, will be funded through federal and state COVID funds, covering the property, the facility, its equipment, and furnishings.

Pictured Left: Commissioner Dave Ray, District 13 and Chairman Shane Eaton, District 16 Pictured Right: Commissioner Chris Southerland, District 6

Emergency Response: To bolster our emergency response capabilities, the Commissioners approved a $189,000 contribution to our E-911 system for updated software and equipment. Additionally, Lawrence County Fire Rescue will receive a $525,936 contribution to support our volunteer fire departments.

Education: Columbia State Community College will continue its lease at the Southern Tennessee Higher Education Center, ensuring continued access to higher education for our community.

These measures reflect the Commissioners' commitment to enhancing the quality of life in Lawrence County. The Chamber commends these efforts and we look forward to seeing the positive outcomes of these initiatives and investments in the near future.

Source: Lawrence County Governement June 2024

Commissioner Denny Gillespie, District 3

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Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce

2024 Agriculture

and events that promote community engagement and awareness. The new publication will be published annually as part of Salute to Agriculture Week, a campaign designed to foster a stronger connection between our agricultural community and the broader public.

Farm, Health, Family, & Wellness The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the UT/TSU Extension Office, is proud to present its 2024 Lawrence County Agriculture Publication. This comprehensive resource is designed to support our local agricultural community by providing valuable data and insights that farmers can use to enhance their practices and operations. The publication features stories of notable achievements within our community, such as the Century Farm and Agribusiness of the Year winners, and serves as an educational tool for the general public, offering a deeper understanding of the agricultural landscape in our area. Readers will find information on various agricultural practices, local initiatives,

view full publication

Farm Table to

A locally sourced Three course dinner

We are thrilled to share the highlights of our 2nd Annual Farm to Table Dinner, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance - Lawrenceburg, TN! This event, held at The Lakes Event Venue, was a wonderful collaboration with UT TSU Extension - Lawrence County and centered around supporting our local 4-H and FFA programs.

Enthusiastic FFA and 4-H students from our local high schools served our guests, showcasing their dedication and passion for agriculture. The evening featured a delightful, locally sourced three-course dinner prepared by 1819 The Restaurant, with fresh greens and a variety of garden favorites grown by FFA students at Lawrence County High School and Loretto High School.

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Locally sourced pork chops from Lampley Farms, expertly processed by Pete's Country Meats, were a highlight, and dessert was a delicious peach shortcake with peaches from Amish Farms.

Guests enjoyed fantastic music from Josh & Levi Ogle under a beautiful summer night sky. We are excited to announce that the 4-H and FFA programs will receive $9,091.62 from the proceeds of this event, further supporting their valuable contributions to our community.

We are already looking forward to next year's event and hope to see you there!

Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce

Visit Lawrenceburg: Celebrating Two Years of Success Visit Lawrenceburg, the premier destination marketing organization for Lawrence County, is proud to celebrate its two-year anniversary, marking significant milestones and contributions to the community and tourism industry. Over the past two years, Visit Lawrenceburg has secured over $215,000 in grants, enabling projects such as wayfinding signage, bi-annual publications of an 80+ page visitors guide, new City/County maps and brochures, digital marketing, and brand representation at regional festivals and events. These efforts have been complemented by strategic collaborations, facilitating content creation that highlights the county’s rich culture and attractions.

The organization’s robust online presence and active social media engagement, which reaches more than 100,000 people each month, continues to inspire travelers seeking unforgettable experiences.

To continue supporting Lawrence County’s tourism & hospitality industry, the Chamber has appointed Keeli Allen as the new Director of Tourism. With nearly half-a-decade of service at the Chamber, Allen will now fully dedicate her leadership and passion to promoting the Visit Lawrenceburg brand.

“Tourism significantly impacts our local economy, benefiting retailers through sales and local governments through tax revenues. It also creates memorable experiences for visitors,” said Ryan Egly, Lawrence County Chamber President & CEO. “Keeli is well-prepared to lead this effort, and her new role will enhance our economic development strategy.”

According to the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, tourists spent $28.9 billion statewide in 2022, generating $2.9 billion in state and local tax revenues. Lawrence County saw direct visitor spending of $28.7 million, an 11% increase from 2021, generating over $1.2 million in local tax revenues. The highest spend categories included food and beverage, transportation, accommodations, and retail.

“I am honored to serve as Director of Tourism and excited to support our attractions and grow this sector of our economy,” stated Allen. “I thank Lawrence County Government and the City of Lawrenceburg for their trust and understanding of tourism’s importance. I look forward to welcoming visitors and promoting our authentic experiences.”

Allen assumed her new role July 1.

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Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce

The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a fantastic Young Professionals Group event at The Pie Factory Lawrenceburg! With a wonderful turnout, we gathered valuable insights from the YP community through an interactive survey conducted during the event. While enjoying delicious pizza, YPs took advantage of excellent networking opportunities! A huge thank you to Story & Lee Furniture for sponsoring the event!

ABOUT THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GROUP The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Group, is our first effort to cultivate a program that will be the driving force behind the next generation of leaders in our community. This initiative aims to foster relationships among likeminded business professionals and nurture future leaders dedicated to personal growth, professional development, and making a lasting impact in Lawrence County.

Who Can Join?

The Young Professionals Group is designed for individuals between the ages of 21 and 40 who are eager to expand their social networks, grow professionally, and contribute positively to Lawrence County.

Get Involved If you’re committed to personal growth, professional development, and making a lasting impact in our community, this group is for you! Keep an eye out for registration details—enrollment for the next year will be opening soon!

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JOIN TODAY

Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING

REGISTER TODAY

This year is the Chamber’s 75th year supporting business and we plan to celebrate in a BIG way. On Friday, October 4, we will host more than 400 business leaders, elected officials, and economic development stakeholders in Lawrenceburg’s historic downtown district at our 75th Anniversary Celebration. We’ll have a special VIP reception, live music, a steak dinner, a short program, and a post-event reception to reflect on decades of success and look to the future.

SUBMIT YOUR “INDUSTRY INSIGHT” TODAY! Ryan Egly, President & CEO Ryan@LawCoTN.com Ben Barnett, Director Economic Development Ben@LawCoTN.com Kristin Doss, Marketing Manager Kristin@LawCoTN.com 10

The Lawrence County Chamber Industry Insights is published by the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce 25 B Public Square Lawrenceburg, TN 38464 P 931-762-4911 E info@lawcotn.com W www.lawcotn.com Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce