SECTION A
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition March 12, 2022
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The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition
GreenevilleSun.com
Saturday, March 12, 2022
SUN PHOTO BY CICELY BABB
Construction is underway on the new location for Big G Express trucking company, which intends to relocate its operations currently based in Hamblen County to Mosheim when the facility is ready.
PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN
A billboard for Big G Express is clearly visible along 11E next to the site where the trucking company’s new facility is being built in Mosheim.
PILOT Programs Supported Industry Growth In 2021 Tennessee. “We’re looking forward to getting in there and meeting everybody, and I hope we can attract some new employees and grow in the area,” he said. For more information about Big G, visit www.biggexpress.com.
BY CICELY BABB STAFF WRITER Multiple industry expansions, representing $16.5 million in local investment and more than 350 jobs retained in Greene County, are supported through PILOT tax abatement programs approved last year. Construction is underway in Mosheim for a new facility for Shelbyville-based Big G Express’s East Tennessee trucking operations, an expansion to Premium Waters’ local facility started Premium Waters’ local facility was expanded by more than 50,000 square feet in 2021. and was completed in 2021 and an expansion to Parkway BIG G EXPRESS Products’ local operations off the interstate and close to company continues to pay Big G intends to relocate announced in January is industries, so it was a great property tax on the pre-exits Hamblen County operaalso being supported with a fit for us.” pansion value. tions to Greene County when PILOT. Thompson said all em“The value is that this is the new Mosheim facility is PILOT, or payment in lieu in exchange for the creation ployees currently based in ready, and company Presiof taxes, programs support Russellville will be offered of additional jobs including dent and CEO Greg Thomp- the opportunity to transfer, companies in expanding construction, electricity and operations locally as they plus the expansion will create any supplies impacted by the son said the location is ideal for multiple reasons. allow a delay on having to new jobs with Big G. expansion,” Greene County “As we have grown, we pay the increased property “We plan to close that Partnership President Jeff have kind of outgrown tax value. Instead, under a location in Russellville down Taylor explained in May, our place down the road PILOT, the Industrial Devel- when the PILOTs for Big and relocate everybody up in Russellville, so we were opment Board of Greeneville G and Premium Waters the road. I anticipate everylooking for a larger footprint body moving, and we’ve got and Greene County takes were approved. “Not every when we found that location more than enough room to ownership of the expansion community has a PILOT in Greene County,” Thompor equipment purchased grow at that location, so we’ll program, and this gives us through the PILOT program an advantage when it comes son said. “We’ve got a lot of definitely be looking to hire employees in that general and leases it to the company to recruiting and retaining some additional employees,” area anyway, and it’s not far for seven years, while the he said. jobs.”
PREMIUM WATERS
SUN PHOTO BY CICELY BABB
Construction on the $8.5 million project began in October, and Thompson said it is on track to finish for Big G to relocate this summer despite recent weather-related delays. “We’ve had some setbacks with the weather, but other than that it’s progressing well,” Thompson said. “The lot is paved, and the building is up and has a roof on it, so we’re moving right along, and we anticipate by mid- to late-summer we’ll be moving in.” Thompson said he is excited for Big G to grow in East
The expansion at Premium Waters, which adds storage for the private label water bottle company to keep customer orders until they are ready to be picked up or delivered, started in February and was completed in December. Greeneville Plant Manager Don Myers said the addition of 53,000 square feet makes the company’s shipping process much more efficient. “Before we had the space here to hold it, a lot of our products would go on a truck, we’d have to drive it maybe half a mile to a warehouse and unload it, and then load it again when the customer comes to pick it up,” Myers explained. “This space allows us to store items SEE PILOT ON PAGE 3A
Benchmarks A Story Index
Benchmarks A Advertisers Index
PILOT Programs Supported Industry Growth In 2021 ....................................................... 2 Depot Street Businesses Open Throughout Construction ................................................... 5 2021 Was An Employee’s Job Market.................................................................................. 7 High Demand, Low Inventory Made 2021 A Great Time To Sell ........................................ 7 Industrial Development Board Looks To Chart Path Of Greene Valley Property ..............8 Individuals, Businesses, Organizations Earn Professional Honors .................................... 9
Bachman Chevrolet • Buick • GMC • Cadillac ................................................................... 10 CHASAN ..............................................................................................................................8 Greene County Partnership ................................................................................................. 7 Industry Guide ...............................................................................................................4 & 5 Staffing Guide ...................................................................................................................... 3 The Well Stocked Bar .......................................................................................................... 6 Towne Square Package Store .............................................................................................. 6
GreenevilleSun.com
Saturday, March 12, 2022
The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition
Page 3A
PILOT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2A
that are ready to go out in the next seven days.” He said eliminating the need to truck orders away from the facility to be stored elsewhere makes operations more sustainable and ultimately will help keep Premium Waters in Greene County. “It would take 7,500 outside transfers moving product to an outside warehouse in a year, so that creates less of a footprint, and one of our core values is to work on sustainability,” Myers said. “Ultimately this allows us to grow and become more efficient, so I think really it will keep us here in Greeneville for the long term.” The $2.3 million project finished in December. “We had some weather delays, and it was supposed to be completed earlier, but a very rainy February last year put us about a month behind, but it is complete,” Myers said. “We are grateful that the PILOT program we received allowed us to make this expansion that allows us to become more efficient and stay here for future growth.” Premium Waters’ Greeneville plant is located at 1616 Industrial Road. For more information visit www.premiumwaters.com. The Industrial Development Board of Greeneville and Greene County, which is separate from the board formed to make decisions about the former Greene Valley Developmental Center, approved PILOTs for both Big G and Premium Waters in May. A third PILOT program was also approved at that time for Jost, which Taylor said the company opted not to utilize.
PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN
Construction on Premium Waters’ expansion was underway from February 2021 to December, after rain in February set the project back by a month.
PARKWAY PRODUCTS Plastics manufacturer Parkway Products, which celebrated 75 years in business last year, announced plans in January to invest $5.7 million in its Greene County facility, adding 160 jobs over PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN
SEE PILOT ON PAGE 4A
Construction on the expansion to Premium Waters was not yet finished in this photo provided by local Plant Manager Don Myers.
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The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition
GreenevilleSun.com
Saturday, March 12, 2022
SUN FILE PHOTO
Parkway Products’ local facility is located at 1609 Industrial Road, where the company expanded the former LMR Plastics facility after purchasing it in 2017. The company plans to invest $5.7 million to further expand operations in Greene County, creating 160 new jobs, Parkway and state officials announced in January.
PILOT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3A
the next five years. CEO Andrew Green visited the local facility,
one of 10 across the continent, in 2021 and said at that time the company as a whole is growing, and that includes Greene County. “We are excited to invest
in Greene County, Tennessee, because of the strong growth we have seen in our loyal customer base of equipment manufacturers, the productivity and commitment of a
PARKWAY PRODUCTS VIA TNECD
An interior view of Parkway Products is seen in this photo provided by the company.
terrific team of Parkway associates in Greeneville, and the support of local government that respects the contributions made by Parkway and the industrial supply chain to the local
economy,” Green said. Taylor said that project will also be supported by a PILOT program approved in June by the Industrial Development Board of Greeneville and Greene
Industry Guide
Technical Ceramics, Inc.
Midway, Tennessee Quality American Manufacturing In God We Trust Greeneville, Tennessee www.amsee.us www.amsee.org
County. A representative of Parkway Products could not be reached for comment. Parkway Products is located at 1609 Industrial Road.
GreenevilleSun.com
Saturday, March 12, 2022
The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition
Page 5A
Depot Street Businesses Open Throughout Construction BY CICELY BABB STAFF WRITER Businesses on Depot Street have continued to operate and welcome customers since work began in the fall on the long-awaited revitalization project. A little over four months into the project, several of those business owners said business has been going strong despite the disruptions to traffic, and they are excited to see the project slowly taking shape. “People come in all the time and say we must be tired of seeing the construction, but we actually love it,” said Katie Presley, who manages and co-owns Brolin & Bailey Co. boutique. “We really haven’t been bothered by it, but we do have a back door where people can access us, and
SUN FILE PHOTO
Greeneville Antique Market owner Becky Wolf recalls fond memories of Depot Street decades ago during the public groundbreaking event that drew Shop SEE DEPOT ON PAGE 6A Small Saturday shoppers to Depot Street.
Industry Guide
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The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition
GreenevilleSun.com
Saturday, March 12, 2022
SUN PHOTO BY CICELY BABB
As work continues on Depot Street, more work was recently announced on multiple storefronts including Brolin & Bailey, which will be expanding into the neighboring building.
DEPOT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5A
that has been a lifesaver as well as the community just being super supportive and still shopping downtown.” Michelle Cutshaw, owner of one of Depot Street’s longest-term residents Tipton’s Cafe, said she has been happy to see the workers going to eat at Tipton’s on their breaks, and that has helped with the loss of some other foot traffic. “We’re still doing good,” Cutshaw said. “We still see a lot of our regulars, and we are seeing a lot of the people working come in and eat, so we’ve enjoyed meeting a lot of new people, and they’re getting to be like family, too.” Tipton’s and Brolin & Bailey were two of the five recipients of Downtown Improvement Grants announced recently. The funding designated specifically to help with facade work comes from $150,000 in state funding awarded to Main Street: Greeneville in October 2021. A little over $30,000 through the facade grants will help Tipton’s add outdoor seating, and for Brolin & Bailey a grant totaling about $11,500 will go toward millwork to combine the current storefront with the neighboring one, masonry work, painting and installation of a canopy, a press release from Main Street: Greeneville said. “We are expanding, and it is so exciting,” Presley said. “We purchased the building we’re in and the next one over, so we are going to be conjoining them into one.”
TIM MASSEY COLLECTION
In the 1940s, as pictured in this photo contributed by Greene County Historian Tim Massey, Depot Street was a popular shopping location and generally bustling and lively area.
She said the boutique is celebrating seven years in business this year. “We’ve been there seven years, and we’ve just had a vision for the community, and to finally have construction and start to see it all coming to life is really exciting,” Presley said. Across the street at Greeneville Antique Market, owner Becky Wolf expressed similar feelings. “I would like to say it has affected us, but it really hasn’t,” said Wolf. “November and December were really good for us. January was slower than usual, but then February was better than usual.”
Wolf, who spoke during a public groundbreaking event in November that coincided with Shop Small Greene, Greene County’s local version of the national Shop Small Saturday campaign, said she remembers Depot Street’s former glory as a center of downtown activity and is confident the end result will make the current inconveniences worthwhile. “I know the road is messy and as inconvenient as it is, I don’t complain because I know what is coming, and I know what it is going to do,” she said. “It will be extremely productive for all the businesses, and I am
just so excited.” Lisa Cansler, co-manager of Nickel Ridge Winery, which opened at the start of the construction work, said private event bookings are helping to bring customers in to the winery. “We are starting to take more bookings for private events like birthday parties and painting classes, and the more people realize they can come in, the more they do,” Cansler said. “Parking is our biggest issue because people don’t know where to park or they’re afraid to walk down the street, so we are excited to get our sidewalk back, but we are starting to see more people
coming in.” When the winery opened, it was next-door to Depot Street Nutrition, which recently relocated after 10 months on Depot Street. Depot Street Nutrition, which offers protein shakes and teas, is now located on West Summer Street next to 70 & Summer Coin Laundry. “We’re more of an in-andout business, so we really needed a parking lot,” said manager Kelsey Ward. “We realized it was tough for a lot of people to get to us, and they didn’t necessarily want to come downtown on a regular basis. This is a better location for us where
•WINE •SPIRITS •BEER
we’re more accessible and people can come in and out quick.” Depot Street Nutrition’s former location will soon host a pottery studio. As construction work continues at least until June 2023, and officials project an additional two months of construction due to supply and weather issues, the public is encouraged to continue visiting Depot Street businesses. Designated parking is available behind Depot Street between the General Morgan Inn and the Dickson Williams Mansion, and some businesses like Brolin & Bailey and Mercantile on Depot, have rear entrances.
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THE WELL STOCKED BAR SUN PHOTO BY CICELY BABB
Vehicles are seen parked along Depot Street as the road block has moved further up the street.
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GreenevilleSun.com
Saturday, March 12, 2022
The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition
Page 7A
2021 Was An Employee’s Job Market BY CICELY BABB STAFF WRITER As national and local economies worked toward recovering from the effects of the pandemic in 2021, many employers described increased challenges with filling available jobs. At mid-year Greene County had the eleventh lowest unemployment rate in the state at 4.4%, and Greene County Partnership President Jeff Taylor said at the time that economic growth was contributing to the number of jobs employers were struggling to fill. Apparent employee shortages were across the board last year, with employers attributing the issues to multiple causes from burnout, particularly in the health care field after being on the frontlines of fighting COVID-19, to lack of interest. As employers competed for workers, many of them raised wages and created other incentives to attract employees. “Employers are being really creative with incentive SUN FILE PHOTOS packages and bonuses to be competitive, and lots of Employers across sectors, in Greene County and nationally, found it difficult to fill all their open jobs as the economy recovered from the pandemic in 2021. Many raised wages and created new bonuses to address ongoing staff shortages. them have looked at work hours and pay scales,” said Taylor. say 90% staffed.” would typically use only that manufacturers are Lane said the flexibenefits would likely not While many of those Clothing retailer Burke’s, one, on top of creating competing with retail and bility in manufacturbe a “magic silver bullet” “Help Wanted” signs and located in the Commons sign-on bonuses and other restaurants for employees ing jobs can also help to resolve the situation. those advertising various shopping center, has seen incentives. in a way they never had to people with limited He referenced a numincentives for new employ- a similar trend. Lorie Lane, recruiting before. transportation. ber of dynamics that pull ees remain posted, some “It has been a lot better manager for Gem Care “Retail and fast food “This is a good thing on the local workforce, employers say they have over the past couple of staffing agency, which took a huge hit during because it could open up including locals working seen improvements to the months, and we do have opened last year in Green- COVID, and they had to an entire workforce we out-of-county and fewer situation. a full staff now,” said eville, said employers she raise their wages to be didn’t have access to like young people working in “We did have some bad Lead Supervisor Jessie works with are still impro- more attractive because parents or people who technical fields, but he staffing shortages. At one Reppond. “We always vising. they’re working with the have to share a vehicle. said ultimately the number point we were so short have some turnaround, “Our employers right public and probably seeing Things like this can help of available jobs is a posistaffed that we just had a and that’s normal, but it now are still having to be people with COVID,” Lane those individuals entive for employees. core group of some really was bad especially with creative to attract emsaid. “But when they did ter the workforce,” she “This is a great opportuloyal people working every sickness for a while last ployees, and for the first that they became a comsaid. nity to start a new career, day, so we closed on Tues- year. We still hire once in time we are seeing some of petitor to manufacturing. While some employers because there are jobs days just to give everyone a while, but we’re starting them offer part-time work If you’re a parent, and expressed frustration that everywhere,” Taylor said. a day off,” said Jayma to keep more people.” and more flexibility,” Lane you’ve got two job offers perhaps the additional Greene County ended Bradford, manager of the Manufacturers who often said. “I have been in man- that both pay the same, federal unemployment the year with an unemlocal Aubrey’s. “As of now hire through temp services ufacturing for years, and I but one is going to give benefits had led would-be ployment rate of 3.9%, we don’t have a shortage found themselves register- have never seen this.” you flexibility to be with employees to lose interest according to state data, anymore. I’m not sure ing with multiple agencies, Lane said the effects of your family, you’re going in work, Taylor said in compared to a statewide we’re 100%, but I would where in the past they the pandemic have meant to want that job.” June that the end to those rate of 3.3%.
SUN FILE PHOTO
Trends that began during the pandemic continued in 2021, with the price homeowners pay continuing to increase and demand remaining high.
High Demand, Low Inventory Made 2021 A Great Time To Sell and average increasing at basically the same rate, that’s a healthy dynamic,” Demand exceeding the he said. “Even with the number of available homes influx of people wanting in Greeneville and Greene to move from other places County meant that the local and had the cash to gobble real estate market was “hot” up properties far above the in 2021. normal cost, the average Don Fenley, contracted and median are still pretty data analyst and market close here.” researcher for the Northeast In total in 2021 realtors Tennessee Association of closed on 888 single-family Realtors (NETAR), said the and town homes in Greene cost people are paying for County, with 630 of those residential real estate has being in Greeneville, where continued going up. the majority of the local “Greeneville closed the population lives, Fenley year out with an average said. sales price of $241,996, In Greene County the meand that was an increase of dian cost for the 258 homes 23.2% from the previous sold in 2021 was $210,000, year,” Fenley said. “That’s an increase of 23.6% coma really strong number. pared to 2020. Historically in the north“That aligns with the east Tennessee region, our increases in the city, so you appreciation rate has been can see both the county and about 3%, so when you see the city hit really strong appreciation in one year growth last year,” Fenley of 23%, that’s a pretty hot said. “Double digit growth market.” is strong. You generally see The median sales price, that in coastal markets, so which is a better indicator a 20% sales price appreciaof the market value as the tion is very strong.” average can be skewed Compared to the sevby abnormally high or en-county region Fenley low figures, also rose by a tracks for NETAR, Fenley similar amount, according said Greene County was to Fenley. a little ahead in terms of “The median, or typical growth. sales price was $209,500 “For Carter, Greene, Hawin 2021, and that was an kins, Johnson, Sullivan, increase of 22.9%. When Unicoi and Washington you have both the median counties together, were are
BY CICELY BABB STAFF WRITER
looking at a median sales price of $197,500, and that is a growth rate of 16.2%,” Fenley explained. “Greeneville was among the top five cities for growth, and that influx of people we’ve seen since the pandemic has incentivized more growth.” He said while it does mean higher costs and a higher level of urgency for buyers, real estate market growth is good for the local economy. “It does make it more expensive to buy a median-priced home, but housing has led economies out of the Great Recession and the shorter pandemic recession we’ve had,” Fenley said, adding that that trend is expected to continue for at least the next couple of years. “Greeneville and Greene County, like the rest of the region and the state actually, had one of the best housing years in decades last year,” Fenley said. “It is starting to slow down primarily because people don’t have anything to sell or they don’t want to move away, but 2022 looks like it will be just as strong. Only two things slow this cycle down, and that is more inventory or less demand, but so far new construction and sales are pointing to 2022 being a lot like 2021 and 2020.”
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The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition
GreenevilleSun.com
Saturday, March 12, 2022
Industrial Development Board Looks To Chart Path Of Greene Valley Property BY SPENCER MORRELL STAFF WRITER The formation of a Greeneville–Tusculum–Greene County Industrial Development Board was approved in November during a joint meeting of the Greene County Commission, the Tusculum Board of Mayor and Commissioners, and the Greeneville Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Each governing body voted separately prior to November to approve the creation of the board, but a joint meeting was necessary for the IDB to be officially formed. The board’s purpose is to jointly govern and possibly develop 336 acres of undeveloped property on land that is part of the former Greene Valley Developmental Center in Tusculum. The State of Tennessee will only consider granting rights to an industrial development board, and not to any of the municipalities on their own. Each governing body is represented by its mayor on the IDB as well as by two other members from each municipality who were chosen by their respective governing boards. The Town of Greeneville is represented on the board by Greeneville Mayor W.T. Daniels, Greeneville Alderman Tim Teague and Greeneville Light and Power System Chief Executive Officer Chuck Bowlin. The City of Tusculum is represented by Tusculum Mayor Alan Corley, former Jarden Zinc President Al Giles and Greeneville Hampton Inn owner Satish Hira. Greene County is represented by Greene County Mayor Kevin Morrison, Greene County Commissioner Bill Dabbs and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agent Chris Wilhoit. The board held its first meeting in early February.
SUN FILE PHOTO
The Greeneville–Tusculum–Greene County Industrial Development Board members met for the first time in the Greene County Partnership building in early February.
Corley was unanimously chosen by the members to be the IDB’s chairman. Morrison was unanimously chosen to be vice-chairman of the IDB. Teague was unanimously chosen to be the secretary and treasurer of the board. “This successful process unlocks the potential for further grant opportunities for the development of the infrastructure requirements there,” Morrison said in November. The IDB is only dealing with undeveloped property south of Edens Road. The State of Tennessee will not consider selling the portion of the property that includes the former Greene Valley facilities and buildings. The Greene Valley Developmental Center closed
nearly five years ago, and now there is traction for development at the site for the first time since the center was closed. The IDB will look to take control of the undeveloped property from the state, giving locals an opportunity to chart its development. “Having this property in the hands of local control would be much better than not having any control or influence on what goes on out there,” Morrison said. “This gives local people a say.” At its first meeting, the board unanimously authorized the Greene County Partnership to apply for a site development grant from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development on behalf of the board.
If the grant is awarded to the IDB, it would begin the process of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development possibly providing the IDB with enough grant funding to purchase the former Greene Valley property from the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. The board would then have full control over the property. A Tennessee College of Applied Technology campus could be built at the Greene Valley Site. The Tennessee Board of Regents has proposed $25 million for a new TCAT structure in Greene County, and about $5 million to furnish the facility with training and educational equipment.
The budget must be approved by the Tennessee General Assembly before it is finalized. Therefore, changes could still occur to the budget proposal. “We have to make sure that stays in there,” Corley said at the meeting in February. The members of the IDB believe that the proposed TCAT would fit well at the former Greene Valley property. The TCAT could be placed on either the developed portion of the property or the undeveloped portion. “The message that sends is that we’re not going to have smoke stacks and heavy water pollution. This will be something along the lines of a professional park focused on education and
advancing the community,” Morrison said. “The focus on workforce development and technical trades and services is something that is a great fit.” According to state budget documents, the Greene County TCAT facility, if approved, is scheduled to be completed by 2025. According to Greene County Partnership Chief Executive Officer Jeff Taylor, the Tusculum Walking Trail will be a part of whatever developments occur at the former Greene Valley site. The IDB will continue to work to secure the property from the state and chart its development. “I really appreciate everyone’s willingness to serve on this board,” Corley said in February.
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SUN FILE PHOTO
WAREHOUSING • LOGISTICS PROPERTY LEASING
The 336 acres of undeveloped land that is a part of the former Greene Valley Developmental Center property south of Edens Road is being considered as part of a possible deal between the State of Tennessee and the Greeneville-Tusculum-Greene County Industrial Development Board.
TN.GOV PROPERTY VIEWER
The Greene Valley property owned by the state is highlighted in the image. The state is only considering relinquishing the property south of Edens Road. It will retain the portion of the site that contains the former campus buildings between Edens Road and East Andrew Johnson Highway.
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GreenevilleSun.com
Saturday, March 12, 2022
The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition
Page 9A
SUN FILE PHOTO
Zak Holt, fitness director at Workout Anytime in Greeneville, holds trophies the location won in 2021 as new franchise of the year and for leadership and perseverance in personal training.
Individuals, Businesses, Organizations Earn Professional Honors Business and professional honor and recognition came to local individuals and business enterprises in 2021.
FOOD CITY VOLUNTEERISM Employees at three local Food City stores were recognized in 2021 for outstanding volunteerism among associates through the Food City Claude P. Varney Volunteer Recognition Program. Cardiela Vickery, Shaun Lister and Zach Dyer were honored by the Virginia-based grocery chain. Steven C. Smith, Food City’s president and chief executive officer, led years ago in creation of Food City’s Claude P. Varney Volunteer Recognition Program, in memory of the company’s former presiPHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN dent and board vice-chairGreene County was well represented at the 24th Annual Pinnacle Awards in 2021. Pictured from left are Greene County Partnership President and CEO Jeff man. Vickery works at the Food Taylor, former GCP General Manager Joni Parker, Main Street: Greeneville Executive Director Jann Mirkov, and Town of Greeneville City Administrator Todd City at 905 Snapps Ferry The Northeast TennesSun reporters Cicely Babb, Road, Lister at the 509 see Tourism Association Eugenia Estes and Ken Asheville Highway store, honored the organizations at Little, Director of Online and Dyer at the 2755 E. the MeadowView Conference Operations Brian Cutshall, Andrew Johnson Highway Resort and Convention Cen- and Scott Jenkins, editor. location. ter hosted by Visit Kingsport. Jenkins also won second Store winners move on The Greene County Partplace for editorial writing. to compete at the district nership won three awards, Former assistant sports level. Twelve district winand Main Street Greeneville editor Tate Russell won secners are recognized with an claimed one. ond- and third-place awards award and a $250 contribuThe Greene County Partfor sports photography. tion to their chosen charity. nership won awards for Best The Sun also won third Two divisional winners New Event for Wings and place for coronavirus news are then chosen and honWheels on the GreenE; Best coverage, a special category ored with a plaque and a Marketing Campaign for added for the 2020 contest. $750 charity contribution. the Greeneville Mural Trail; Contributing to the entry One overall winner is seand Best Brochure or Guide were Estes, Babb, Little and lected to receive the Claude for its Discover Greeneville Cameron Judd, the paper’s P. Varney Humanitarian brochure. assistant editor and columAward and to have a $1,250 Main Street Greeneville nist. charity contribution made won the award for Best Rack The Sun won 22 advertison the winner’s behalf. Card for the card advertising ing and circulation awards the annual Lyrics on the in the 2021 Ideas Contest, BLACKBURN, CHILDERS PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE SUN Lawn concert series. third most in the state among AND STEGALL The General Morgan Inn & Conference Center was named one of the best meeting sites in A total of 71 entries were newspapers with similar the South in 2021 for the second consecutive year. JOHNSON CITY — submitted from around circulations. Blackburn, Childers, and the region in categories At The Greenville Sun, Steagall, CPAs (BCS), which experts, the release said. Readers’ Choice Award from for marketing, advertising, Blvd., in the Greeneville those ads and promotions has an office in Greeneville, national event planning mag- events, virtual, attractions, Commons, opened in May were created and facilitated was recognized by Forbes azine ConventionSouth. The individual achievement, and by the following current 2020. WORKOUT ANYTIME in a listing of America’s General Morgan Inn was one supporting business awards. and former Sun sta ffers: King said Workout Despite opening during best tax and accounting of 30 winners in Tennessee. Anytime has close to A panel of judges associated Taunya Blazer, Sandi the COVID-19 pandemic, firms for 2021. The hotel also won the 200 locations across the with the Southeast Tourism Blalock, Brian Cutshall, Greeneville’s Workout Any- country, including some Forbes and Statista magazine’s award in 2020 Society chose the top entry in Rebecca Garay-Leon, Tanya identified the top 250 firms time gym location saw such much bigger locations than and received an honorable each category. Hensley, Melanie Hilliard, success that it was named for tax and top 200 for mention in 2019. Greeneville’s. Shirley Jones, Dale Long, best new franchise of the accounting, and BCS was Throughout the year, “Greeneville isn’t a very Della Lowe, Wendy Peay, THE GREENEVILLE SUN Kelly Pickering, Jayme Pressnamed among the 172 firms year at a company-wide meeting professionals large town, and this isn’t The Greeneville Sun in on both lists, according to a conference last summer. nominate sites they believe one of the big monster ley, Tammy Waldroup, Hala 2021 won eight Tennessee That success, which news release. provide exceptional service gyms like in big cities, but Watson and Artie Wehenkel. Press Association statewide owner Mike King said far The firm, which was also for group events. The nomiwe’ve had nothing but The Sun placed first in listed in the Forbes ranking surpassed his expectations, positive feedback from the nated sites – nearly 4,000 in awards recognizing excelseven award categories: for 2020, was one of five in also made the Greeneville 2021 – are compiled onto an lence in print and online community,” he said. Best Black & White Ad; journalism, advertising and Tennessee and six in North location the first to bring online ballot where meeting Best Carrier Contest Idea; circulation. Carolina ranked in the 2021 in $1 million in revenue in professionals and fans vote Best Newspapers in EducaGENERAL MORGAN INN for the “Best of the Best.” In the Tennessee State a year, according to a press listing, the release said. tion Promotion; Best NIE For the second year in a Press Contest sponsored by release issued at the time, BCS has offices in JohnSponsorship Recruitment; row, Greeneville’s historic the University of Tennessee Best Reader Contest; Best and the franchise also won son City, Greeneville and TOURISM AWARDS General Morgan Inn & Conand the Tennessee Press awards for its personal Kingsport, Tennessee and Internet Subscription ProThe Greene County Association, The Sun won training program and social ference Center was named Boone, North Carolina. motion; and Best Marketing Partnership and Main one of the “Best Meeting top honors in the digital Firms were chosen based media engagement. Materials. Street Greeneville were both presentation category. Sites in the South.” The Greeneville locaon recommendation from The Sun placed second in honored at the 24th Annual The boutique hotel at 111 Contributing to the wintion of Workout Anytime, CPAs, clients, attorneys eight categories and third in Pinnacle Awards on June 3. N. Main St. won the 2021 ning entry were Greeneville seven categories. and other financial industry located at 1327 Tusculum
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The Greeneville Sun Benchmarks Edition
Saturday, March 12, 2022
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