October 2024
LAWRENCE COUNTY’S ECOMONIC INSIGHTS & UPDATES
Welcome to the latest edition of Industry Insights, your quarterly source for key developments and updates in Lawrence County’s business landscape In this issue, we shine a spotlight on 2024 Manufacturing Week, a time dedicated to celebrating our growing manufacturing sector each October. You'll also get an insider look at how local manufacturers are shaping the future and strengthening Lawrence County’s economy and what’s on the horizon with our most recent economic development dashboard.
We have seen an increase in project activity ahead of the November election, which indicates that companies are preparing to make decisions regarding their growth strategies
In this issue, we also explore the results of a recent housing study, shedding light on the region’s housing needs and opportunities for supporting commercial development. Whether you're a business leader or a resident invested in the county’s growth, we hope you find this edition of Industry Insights informative and inspiring!
MANUFACTURERS APPRECIATION WEEK 2024
OCTOBER1-4
The first week in October Lawrence County proudly observed Manufacturing Week, a time to celebrate the tremendous impact of manufacturing on our community past, present, and in the years ahead. We kicked off the week with a Manufacturers Appreciation Breakfast on Tuesday morning and hosted two days of industry tours at some of the county’s manufacturing sites. Students, local government officials, members of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the Chamber Board, Ambassadors, and Young Professionals had the opportunity to explore facilities at Graphic Packaging Inc., Blickman, Flexco, Craig Manufacturing, and Old South Wood. These tours provided an inside look into the heart of our local economy, offering a deeper appreciation for the work that keeps Lawrence County strong.
In celebration of Manufacturing Week, our Mastering Manufacturing publication is now available on Issuu! Along with spotlighting Lawrence County’s local manufacturing businesses, this edition also features valuable economic development data showcasing the industry’s impact on our community.
AN INVESTMENT PAYING OFF FOR 45 YEARS
In 1979 Modine Manufacturing made the investment of opening a manufacturing plant in Lawrenceburg. That investment remains a staple of Lawrence County manufacturing today.
As the company celebrates 45 years of partnership with the businesses and people of Lawrence County it does so as the largest employer in the county with two plants employing more that 650 people.
“We are proud of the success we’ve had to grow from what Modine was in 1979 to employing 650 people,” Modine Lawrenceburg Plant 1 Manager Jason Shanes said. “It goes back to the people. They are loyal, dedicated employees and that makes doing business a lot more successful and simpler.”
Modine Lawrenceburg Plant 2 Manager Austin Fagan said looking back at the time that Modine decided to locate in Lawrenceburg, the company had a model of opening plants in rural communities where they could find the kind of loyalty Shanes cited
Shanes added that the combination of Lawrenceburg’s location to the loyal and dedicated workforce is a good example of why Modine continues to grow here
“We are centrally located. Halfway between Nashville, Huntsville and Memphis with three of the biggest airports around,” Shanes noted. “And in the automotive world we are centrally located in the Southeast ”
Modine Manufacturing Company has been a worldwide leader in thermal management since 1916. The company designs, engineers, tests and manufactures heat transfer products for a wide range of applications and markets, the Modine website Modine.com states. Many of those markets are within the automotive industry.
Lawrenceburg Plant 1, which is part of the Liquid Cooler Division, serves automotive customers that include Ford, GM, Tesla, Nissan, Stellanis, Polaris, Harley Davidson and Volvo.
Lawrenceburg Plant 2, which creates much larger parts as part of the Air Cooled Application Division, serves three segements within their division Power Generation, Agriculture/Off Highway and Electric Vehicles, which mostly involves large public transportation vehicles
So, while Modine has been making an impact on Lawrenceburg and Lawrence County for 45 years, the people of the community having been making an impact cross the world with the heat transfer/cooler products that have been keeping vehicles, ATVs, large generators, tractors and other heavy equipment running cool for most of the last five decades.
Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce CEO Ryan Egly praised the county’s oldest automotive supplier industry for its longevity and impact
“Congratulations to Modine for being in business for so long in Lawrence County and your continued investment in the community,” Egly said “Modine is such a strong supporter of our schools as well as what we do here at the chamber to bring more jobs to Lawrence County.”
Fagan said in addition to his plant being one of Modine’s top performing plants, he takes pride in the company’s dedication to the communities where they have plants This includes giving him the freedom as plant manager to make significant impact for the employees and the community at large.
“We like being able to work with local businesses whenever we can and try to spread the love around as much as possible because I know the kind of impact we have from a financial aspect,” Fagan said.
Modine Lawrenceburg Plant 1 Engineering Manager Joey Brown started with Modine out of high school, left and came back in 2001. On a tour of Plant 1 he points out the small corner of the 180,000-square-foot building where Modine was operating when he came in 1987
Now with the plant filling the entire building, Brown explains how its 200 employees take thin sheets of metal and turn them into high efficiency heat transfer units, or liquid coolers These coolers are stamped, assembled, brazed and tested in Lawrenceburg for some of the automotive and off highway industries’ top brands.
Plant 2 naturally requires a much larger space, operating out of approximately 450,000 square feet that was the home of Murray Ohio for decades. The end result, although much bigger, remains keeping combustion and electric engines cool.
Fagan said his management team’s goal is to make Modine the place where people line up to work, the place to go in Lawrence County.
County Executive David Morgan pointed out how Lawrence County has benefitted from Modine’s diversity and market knowledge.
“Modine is a great company and community partner in Lawrence County,” Morgan said “It has a diversified product line that helps it weather changes in the automotive market. I appreciate Modine’s continued investment in our county and its faith in our workforce.”
By: Scott Stewart, Lawrence County Advocate
BARNETT TO SERVE AS LAWRENCE COUNTY CHAMBER’S
DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
LAWRENCEBURG,
TN – The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the promotion of Ben Barnett to the position of Director of Economic Development In this role, Barnett will continue working
withlocalandstateeconomicdevelopmentstakeholders torecruithigh-qualityjobstoLawrenceCountyandwill alsocreateastrategyfocusedonengagingexisting industries,developingindustrialsites,andproviding resourcestolocalleaderstopromotehousingandretail development.
morethan$6.6millionstateandfederalgrantsto LawrenceCounty.Theseeffortshaveresultedinthe creationof438manufacturingjobs.
“Benhasatrackrecordofsuccessandiswell-respectedin theeconomicdevelopmentindustry Heispreparedand equippedtodriveoureconomic-buildinginitiatives,” statedRyanEgly,theChamber’sPresident&CEO “Iam profoundlygratefulforhisworksincejoiningourteam andIamexcitedtoseeLawrenceCounty’sgrowth sustainedunderhisleadership.”
ServingastheChamber’seconomicdevelopmentproject managersince2021,Barnetthasbeeninstrumentalin attractingnearly$230millionofnewprivatesectorcapital investmentandhassupportedinitiativesthatbrought
“IamincrediblyhonoredtostepintotheroleofDirector ofEconomicDevelopment.WorkingattheChamberof Commerceandcontributingtotheeconomicgrowthofmy hometownhasbeendeeplyrewarding Thesuccesses we’veachievedtogetherhavebeenremarkable,andIam excitedaboutthemomentumourteamhasbuilt LawrenceCounty’sfutureisbright,andIlookforwardto continuingourworktodriveevengreaterandsustainable progressforourcommunity”–BenBarnett,Directorof EconomicDevelopmentCompaniesseekingeconomic developmentassistance,includingresearch,cancontact Benat931-762-4911orBen@LawCoTN.com.
Source: Lawrence County Chamber
LAWRENCE COUNTY: REPORT UNVEILS NEED FOR 1,200+ NEW HOMES IN NEXT 5 YEARS!
Housing development plays a key role in the economic growth of rural communities for several important reasons First, it helps attract and retain a skilled workforce by providing affordable housing options, ensuring that workers are more likely to move to or stay in rural areas, supporting the growth of local businesses. Additionally, housing construction boosts the local economy by creating jobs in construction and increasing demand for local services, retail, and other businesses, amplifying economic activity. By expanding the tax base, housing development generates more revenue for public services, infrastructure, and
5 new homes priced above $600,000 for sale are needed in Lawrence County, Tennessee per year over the next 5 years 1 additional rental units priced above $1,500 monthly are needed per year over the next 5 years
community projects, further driving economic growth Well-planned housing also improves the quality of life with amenities like parks, schools, and healthcare facilities, making rural areas more appealing Finally, housing development supports population stability or growth, essential for sustaining vital services, and promotes a diverse community, which strengthens and stabilizes the local economy. Housing development is a cornerstone of rural economic development, helping to attract residents, stimulate the economy, and enhance quality of life, all critical for long-term sustainability.
Source: Lawrence County Chamber
85 new homes priced $300,000 to $450,000 for sale are needed in Lawrence County, Tennessee per year over the next 5 years. 33 additional rental units priced $1,000 to $1,250 monthly are needed per year over the next 5 years.
27 new homes priced $450,000 to $600,000 for sale are needed in Lawrence County, Tennessee per year over the next 5 years. 10 additional rental units priced $1,250 to $1,500 monthly are needed per year over the next 5 years
61 new homes priced $200,000 to $300,000 for sale are needed in Lawrence County, Tennessee per year over the next 5 years 23 additional rental units priced $700 to $1,000 monthly are needed per year over the next 5 years
OPEN BUSINESS
for
New Lawrenceburg Industrial Park is ready for development
For almost a century, experts have referred to “location, location, location” as the three most important factors in a property’s appeal. Lawrence County takes that competitive edge a step further with market-ready utilities, a certified industrial park and, of course, its location south of Nashville near Interstate 65 “Multiple automotive OEMs, like General Motors and Nissan here in Middle Tennessee, Mazda-Toyota Manufacturing in north Alabama, Volkswagen in Chattanooga, and Blue Oval City in Stanton, have grown in the Tennessee Valley over the last decade. We’ve shared in that success as local manufacturers have won – and continue to win – contracts to supply the region’s growing automotive sector,” says Ryan Egly, president and CEO of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. “Our location gives suppliers the ability to serve multiple customers without simultaneously competing for labor. Further, the industry’s growth has created a regional concentration of qualified workers and easily accessible workforce training opportunities for all sorts of skilled jobs ”
As existing companies grow in and around Lawrenceburg, new businesses also look to southern Middle Tennessee, seeking the perfect location and a great community partner for their next manufacturing plant The newly certified Lawrenceburg Industrial Park frequently makes it to the short-list of finalist sites. Designated as a Select Tennessee Certified Site in January 2024, the Lawrenceburg Industrial Park has proven its readiness for new industries like food and beverage manufacturers, distribution centers and advanced manufacturing firms, including those that provide high-paying jobs in the nuclear supply chain and other clean technology operations.
The local government currently owns 150 flat acres, with plans to expand to a total of nearly 380 acres along U.S. Hwy. 43 in Ethridge. “We’ve taken a lot of the guesswork out of site selection, and the site is in a city that has streamlined permitting,” Egly says. “We try to get out of the way of development instead of trying to meddle with it. And businesses tend to like that.” None of this, including an already-established park with four major tenants across the highway from the new one, would be possible without Lawrenceburg Utility Systems (LUS), which works with the Chamber to develop and execute the community’s economic development strategy. “We have many economic development partners, but none is more important than LUS. LUS is a one-stop shop for our business and industry, providing electricity, natural gas, water, and sewer service,” Egly explains “With their existing excess utility capacities, our location, our certified site ready for development, and streamlined local planning and permitting processes, we are wellestablished as a destination for various industry sectors.” “Because our utility operates like a business, we want low rates, and we want reliability,” says Vic Pusser, CEO of Lawrenceburg Utility Systems “You want your lights to come on and you don’t want to pay too much. The more industrial and commercial customers we add, the more resources we have to plan and build for the future, which keeps rates relatively more affordable.” “When we’re all on the same page working together, it just makes life – and doing business – way easier,” Egly says. “We’re really looking forward to hosting the next prospective industry here.”
Source: TEDG
LCSSCTEhostedasuccessful6thgrade careerfair!Abigthankyoutoallthe businesses,communitymembers,and post-secondaryinstitutionsfor participatingandinspiringour students.Wealsowanttoextendour gratitudetooursponsorsandthe dedicatedorganizerswhomadethis eventpossible
SpecialthankstotheLawrenceCounty Chamberforprovidinglunchforall vendorsandtoBlakeThomasonEdwardJonesFinancialAdvisorfor providingwaterforstudents.
Students received bags from STRHSLawrenceburg, Bank of Frankewing, Lawrenceburg Federal, or TCAT-Pulaski to carry all the goodies they received!
Additionally, a huge shout out to Lawrenceburg Baptist Church for allowing us to use their facility.
TheeventwasorganizedbyCTE DirectorHopeThomasonandCareer CoachesAndreaKelly,DruClifft,and HollyTrue!
Together,we’reshapingthefuture!
LORETTO CONVENIENCE CENTER IS MOVING AHEAD
Lawrence County Executive David Morgan visited the soon-to-be South Lawrence Convenience Center, where Solid Waste Director Gary Wayne Hyde, Assistant Director Zach Fralix, and their team have already cleared much of the area. Their hard work has brought the project one step closer to completion
Executive Morgan extends his thanks to the City of Loretto, Loretto City Mayor Steve McMasters, and Loretto City Manager Jesse Turner. Special thanks were also given to the City of Lawrenceburg for their efforts in assisting with some of the foundational work Updates on this project will follow as it continues to take shape!
Source: Lawrence County Government
Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce
Gary Wayne Hyde, ???, Jesse Turner, Steve McMasters, County Executive David Morgan
Source: Lawrece County School Systems
Craig Manufacturing: From Canada to Tennessee, Building a Legacy
Craig Manufacturing, a leader in heavy machinery and industrial equipment, made its mark in the Canadian industrial landscape before expanding to the U S In October 2018, Craig invested $6 4 million to establish its first U S operations in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee Since then, the company has created nearly 80 jobs for Tennesseans
A Strategic Move to Tennessee
Founded in 1946, Craig Manufacturing is a thirdgeneration, family-owned business known for producing attachments for heavy construction, forestry, mining, and utility equipment. The decision to expand into Tennessee was rooted in a desire to embed the company into the local culture.
“If we’re going to be in Tennessee, we wanted to be as Tennessean as we could,” said Les Harding, VP of USA Manufacturing “There’s a big banner on our building that says, ‘Made in America, Mastered in Tennessee,’ and we believe that ”
Craig Manufacturing worked closely with the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD), and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to make the move seamless. “It felt like home,” said Chamber President Ryan Egly
Production and Growth in Lawrenceburg —
Since opening its facility in 2018, Craig Manufacturing has grown significantly. The plant processes 60 to 80 tons of U.S.-based steel weekly, transforming raw materials into essential components for industries worldwide. The team has grown to around 80 employees, who take pride in building tools for some of the largest manufacturers in the world.
“We make tools that allow all of us to go work,” explained Harding “If there’s a big piece of equipment, we probably build something that makes it do its job ”
Building Local Talent —
Craig Manufacturing’s success in Tennessee is largely due to its commitment to hiring locally. The company has partnered with local schools like TCAT to recruit talent. Chris Ramsey, a TCAT Pulaski graduate, started as a shipping and receiving employee and is now the Maintenance Lead “This company treats you like family,” said Ramsey
Alex Watridge, a CNC apprentice and TCAT Hohenwald student, echoed this sentiment. “Everyone here is incredibly supportive,” she said. As a woman in a maledominated field, she encourages others to consider the opportunities in the trade industry.
Looking Ahead
Craig Manufacturing plans to continue expanding in Tennessee and is considering opening more U S locations, with its Lawrenceburg facility remaining the U.S. head office.
“Tennessee is leading the way,” said Harding. “It’s one of the hot spots in America for business.”
Craig Manufacturing’s story is a testament to its commitment to quality, community, and growth, positioning it as a vital part of the Lawrenceburg community
Founded in 1889, Blickman Industries has been a leading manufacturer of stainless steel and chrome medical equipment, providing innovative and highquality solutions to the healthcare industry. In July 2023, Blickman announced its decision to consolidate their operations to Lawrenceburg with a multi-milliondollar investment set to create nearly 50 jobs.
The Lawrenceburg facility will support the production of a wide range of medical equipment, from surgical tables and instrument stands to storage solutions, all crafted with Blickman’ssignature precision in stainless steel. Blickman’s operations will not only support the healthcare industry, but also contribute to the local economy The company's decision to invest in Lawrenceburg highlights the area's strong manufacturing infrastructure and skilled workforce, which align perfectly with Blickman’s goals for quality and efficiency Just after one year in operation locally, Blickman has grown to more than 80 local workers
As it forges ahead with this new chapter, the company remains focused on innovation, ensuring that its products continue to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry while maintaining the highest standards of durability and performance. The move to Lawrence County signifies a bright future for both Blickman Industries and the local community.
Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce
The Young Professionals Group kicked off their 2024-2025 year with an amazing first event, the Smokehouse Social, at Hinie's BBQ. It was a great evening of making new connections and getting to know one another on a deeper level through a fun and insightful exercise. We're excited to see how this group grows together, builds strong relationships, and supports each other throughout the year!
JOIN TODAY
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!
JOIN US FOR THE 68TH ANNUAL LAWRENCE COUNTY CHRISTMAS PARADE: "CHRISTMAS THROUGH THE DECADES"!
The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce will host the 68th Annual Lawrence County Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 5:00pm in Downtown Lawrenceburg. This year’s theme is "Christmas Through the Decades". Participants are encouraged to theme their floats and decorations around celebrating "Christmas Through the Decades". We are proud to announce that Loretto Telecom will be the Presenting Sponsor again this year A special thank you to the Kiwanis Club of Lawrenceburg who helps make our Christmas Parade a success!
