CHAMBER CONNECTION APRIL 2
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ABOVE: Kathy Watts (left), past chairman of the board of directors and Bobby Arnold (right), new board chairman.
Chamber Awards Local Businesses and Volunteers at Annual Celebration More than 300 people attended the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Celebration, where businesses, industries and non-profit organizations were honored on Thursday, March 22 at the Union University Carl Grant Events Center. “The Celebration” honored Chamber volunteers, and highlighted our membership’s accomplishments throughout the year. Business Awards were also presented to companies that have achieved excellence through high standards, professional accomplishments and community contributions.
Congratulations to all of our Annual Celebration award winners!
AWARD WINNERS:
INSIDE:
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Upcoming Events, Staff Directory
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Promotions, Accomplishments & Special Recognition
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West Tennessee Healthcare Health and Wellness Award: Jackson Energy Authority
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Non-Profit of the Year: Wo/Men’s Resource & Rape Assistance Program (WRAP)
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Emerging Business of the Year: Raines Design Industry of the Year: Pinnacle Foods Group Inc.
Promotions, Accomplishments & Special Recognition
Member Spotlight & Annual Celebration Photos New Members Renewing Members
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Ribbon Cuttings & Openings
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Economic Indicators
Business of the Year (1-49 Employees): Commercial Bank & Trust Company Business of the Year (50+ Employees): Leaders Credit Union Volunteer of the Year: Ben Ferguson, President/CEO, Personnel Placements, LLC.
LEFT PHOTO CREDIT: MARTIN JELINEK/ THE JACKSON SUN See page 5 for more pictures...
VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.JACKSONTN.COM
Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce STAFF DIRECTORY 197 Auditorium Street Jackson, TN 38301 Phone: 731-423-2200
Ryan Porter, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and General Counsel rporter@jacksontn.com
Kyle Spurgeon, President/CEO kspurgeon@jacksontn.com
Judy Renshaw, Sr. Vice President, Business & Community Services jrenshaw@jacksontn.com
Tammy Boyd, Chief Administrative Officer tboyd@jacksontn.com
Megan Seals, Communications Coordinator mseals@jacksontn.com
Lisa Cothran, Manager, Membership Development lcothran@jacksontn.com
Brandy Stutsman, Administrative Assistant, Business Services & West Tennessee Business Resource Center bstutsman@jacksontn.com
Shirley Jones, Vice President, Public Affairs sajones@jacksontn.com Lori Nunnery, Executive Director, Convention & Visitors Bureau lnunnery@jacksontn.com Beth Parnell, Manager of Events bparnell@jacksontn.com Denise Perry, Receptionist dperry@jacksontn.com
Stay Connected with the
Jackson Chamber
Carolyn Vaughan, Membership Development Coordinator cvaughan@jacksontn.com Joyce Welch, Executive Assistant jwelch@jacksontn.com Mandy White, Vice President, Research & Economic Development mwhite@jacksontn.com
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April 2012 THU
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Basic Quickbooks for Business Workshop
8 a.m. - 12 p.m., The Chamber, 197 Auditorium St. Event Details: Speakers will be Kenneth Sessions and Gloria Dooley. Cost is $99 for Chamber members, $109 for non-members. Attendees can bring their own computer if they have Quickbooks or one will be provided. Contact: To regsiter, contact Brandy Stutsman or call at 427-7900.
THU Business After Hours
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5 p.m. - 7 p.m., Aeneas Internet & Telephone, 300 N. Cumberland Ste., 200 Event Details: Network, exchange business cards and enjoy hors d’oeuvres at this monthly event. Business After Hours is one of the Chamber’s largest networking events. It is free to attend and advanced registration is not required. Sponsored by Aeneas Internet & Telephone
FRI
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facebook.com/jacksontn chamber twitter.com/jaxtnchamber linkedin.com/company/jacksonarea-chamber-of-commerce flickr.com/photos/jacksontnchamber/sets youtube.com/user/jacksontnchamber
Attend. Network. Learn.
Coming In Out of the Cold - Making Effective Sales Calls Workshop
8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m., The Chamber, 197 Auditorium St. Event Details: Speaker will be Steve Pitcairn, CEO and Certified Business Coach, ClearVision Business Coaching. Cost is $39 for members, $49 non-members. Contact: To regsiter, contact Brandy Stutsman or call at 427-7900.
May 2012
TUE Still...Rocking the Chamber 2012 Business Expo
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4 p.m. - 7 p.m., Carl Perkins Civic Center, 400 S. Highland Event Details: Excitement is in the air about the upcoming Business Expo. To participate, contact Beth Parnell for a registration form. The deadline to register is Friday, April 20 or until capacity is reached. Limited space is available and will be given on a first come, first serve basis. Contact: Beth Parnell or call at 423-2200. Sponsored by Alexander Thompson Arnold, PLLC and BancorpSouth.
For more upcoming Chamber events, visit our Calendar of Events on our website at www.jacksontn.com.
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PROMOTIONS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS & SPECIAL RECOGNITITONS Good News Industrial: ATA Staff Members Receive Promotions Gil Fletcher has joined ATA as its new Director of Business Development. He will work in the Jackson of+ Sonoco recently celebrated one fice. A UT Martin graduate, Gil has retired twice: from a 33 year career in the banking industry and from a million hours without a lost time accident.
+ Procter
& Gamble employees raised an impressive $208,152 in the last year for United Way.
+ LyondellBasell
recently reached six months without a recordable injury. The local plant also set records in 2011 for productivity, reliability and cost.
was awarded a $25,000 + Gerdau grant in April 2012 by Governor Bill Haslam and Tennessee Deparment of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner Karla Davis.
+
Tennalum won Kaiser Aluminum Corporation’s Circle of Excellence Award in 2011.
three year career as the Executive Director of the Humboldt Chamber. Utilizing his business experience, his efforts will compliment the firm’s relationship-focused marketing efforts to develop new business opportunities. He is married to ATA Principal Judy Fletcher. Other team members that have been promoted are: • Melanie Berry, CPA and Julie Travis, CPA (both in Paris) have been promoted to Senior Manager • Gabrielle Lorbiecki, CPA and Shelley Swearingen, CPA (both in Paris) were promoted to Manager • Chloe Humphrey (Milan) is now a Senior Accountant. “ATA continues to grow because we have such qualified and passionate team members,” said Al Creswell, CPA and Chief Manager, Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs. “It’s my privilege to welcome Gil to our team and to recognize these individuals who are being promoted. These announcements reiterate our commitment to showing respect for our clients and staff and to striving for excellence in the accounting field.”
ADS Security Wins Two Awards for Sales and Marketing Excellence
ADS Security, headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, was the recipient of two 2012 SAMMY Awards for Best Broadcast Advertisement and Best Community Outreach Program at the 17th annual event presented by Security Sales & Integration magazine on Tuesday, March 27th at the International Security Conference & Exposition (ISC West) in Las Vegas, NV. The event was attended by electronic security professionals from installation and supplier communities across the country to recognize industry leaders. “We are very excited to receive our first SAMMY Awards. These awards recognize the top sales & marketing performers in our industry, and we are honored to be placed in this category”, said John Cerasuolo, President and COO of ADS Security, who was in attendance at the event to receive ADS’ awards.
USEFUL TIPS FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS/MANAGERS Obtaining Financing For Your Business By Ron Acree & Joel Newman, Tennessee Small Business Development Center
The latest reports show small business loans falling 4.1 percent from 2009 to 2010, but even during this time period, $310 million in loans were extended by banks. Even while credit is tight, capital is still out there. But what do lenders look for these days? These tips were offered by bank officials who were interviewed: 1. A solid credit score. There’s no question that the lender will look at the credit history of the person applying for the loan. If your credit score is lower than 700, you need to begin thinking of ways to improve it, if at all possible, before you seek the loan. It may be possible to secure a loan with a credit score between 680 and 700, but it makes it harder. At some lenders, your personal credit score for your small business is one of the key determinants of whether the lender is willing to lend or not. Generally, a credit score is an indicator of ability and willingness to repay personal debt. 2. Collateral. The C-word is not something many small business owners want to hear from a lender, but collateral is next to having a sufficient credit score as lenders attempt to mitigate risk. A secondary source of repayment behind the operating cash flows of the business is vital to the lender. Small Business Administration loan guarantees work to improve the strength of the minimal amount of collateral in many cases. This may help the lender who may not have the 100 percent plus collateral requirements. 3. Strong historical cash flows. The lender will examine your income statement and bottom line and may then add back a few things that are fairly essential to the cash flow analysis, such as depreciation, a non-cash expense. They may also use the business’ interest expense to come up with a rudimentary cash flow number. This will give them an idea of your capacity to repay the loan. 4. A good debt-service coverage ratio. This is the ratio of cash available for debt servicing to interest, principal and lease payments. The lender will calculate this by adding net income with amortization/depreciation, interest expense and other items, then dividing that sum by the borrower’s loan principal, interest payments and lease payments. This is the key ratio that most lenders will look at very closely. Generally, a debt-service ratio of 1.20:1 or 1.25:1 is very good. 5. Business plan. As with any business owner/manager desiring to have a successful business, the initial business plan is the catalyst that leads to success. This is another key element in the equation that the lender will consider in making the loan. The end result is, if a small business borrower meets a lender’s test, they may hold the upper hand at the negotiating table due to the scarcity of such borrowers. If you are seeking capital, have a good track record, a backup plan for repayment and the ability to put personal finances on the line, now is perhaps a good time to shop for a small business loan.
CONTACT US Send us your member news and photos: mseals@jacksontn.com
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PROMOTIONS, ACCOMPLISHMENTS & SPECIAL RECOGNITITONS
VOLUNTEER Spotlight Ray Holder
The STAR Center, Director of Employment Services Ray Holder, Directory of Employment Services at The STAR Center, has been chosen by The Chamber as the April Volunteer of the Month. Ray has volunteered his time on the Chamber’s Emissaries group, past membership events and other special Chamber events. The Emissaries connect with exisiting Chamber members to verify their contact information and to reinforce the importance of Chamber membership. “I chose to help because the Chamber and I share the same vision for our community,” Holder said. Outside of the Chamber, Ray volunteers with the LeBonheur Radiothon and The STAR Center. “Ray always does a great job making contact with Chamber members,” said Lisa Cothran, Manager, Membership Development. “His enthusiasm and positive attitude make him an asset to the Emissary group.”
TOP AMBASSADORS
Congratulations to the Ambassadors with perfect attendance: Sarah Estes, The Jackson Sun Cindy Reece, Victory Honda Heath Williams, George A. Smith & Sons
GOOD NEWS JACKSON Congressman Stephen Fincher, U.S. Representative for Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District, held a roundtable discussion at the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, April 3. Fincher sat down with local industries at the roundtable discussion to review the current business and economic development climate in West Tennessee.
ABOVE: Congressman Stephen Fincher, U.S. Representative for Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District, held an economic development climate roundtable discussion at the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, April 3.
Commercial Bank and Trust Company Achieves 5-Star Superior Rating
Commercial Bank and Trust Company is proud to announce that it has achieved a recommended 5-Star Superior rating earning the highest rating for financial strength and stability from BauerFinancial, Inc. Located in Coral Gables, FL, BauerFinancial is the nation’s leading independent bank rating and research firm and has been analyzing the nation’s banks for over 25 years. Based on the financial condition of the bank, Commercial Bank and Trust’s 5-Star rating indicates that it is one of the strongest banks in the country. “Under the leadership of Mr. Mott Ford, CEO, Commercial Bank and Trust Company is one of the U.S. banks that evoke an image of a brighter banking company for our communities. That’s good news regardless of your age and income bracket,” said Karen L. Dorway, president of BauerFinancial. “Commercial Bank and Trust prides itself on our stability in the market place,” said Monte Jones, community president of Commercial Bank and Trust. “We are proud to say that we have received this honor for the last 84 consecutive quarters.” BauerFinancial has been reporting on and analyzing the performance of U.S. banks and credit unions since 1983. No institution pays BauerFinancial to rate it, nor can any bank be excluded.
Chamber Employee Appointed to Boys & Girls Club Board Of Directors The Boys & Girls Club of Jackson welcomed Denise Perry, Receptionist for the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce, to the Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors. Denise has a strong passion for youth and has been an advocate of the Club for many years. She has the desire to help improve the lives of youth in our community and knows that the Boys & Girls Club helps to create productive, responsible and caring citizens in a safe environment. The Club focus on academic success, good character and citizenship and healthy lifestyles. For more information about the Boys & Girls Club or to donate please call (731) 422-2008 or visit the website www.bgcjmc.org.
Masterfit Medical Expands
As of January, MasterFit Medical has expanded their company to include a new medical equipment division that can offer over 90,000 new or reconditioned equipment pieces to medical professionals all over the world. National Sales Manager, Mark Taylor is excited about the growth opportunity since the launch of their website. “Through www.masterfitmedical.com, medical buyers from all over the world will be able to view our equipment with extensive descriptions, exact measurements, and product details. We are able to fill an order and ship it within the same day. The money we make goes right back into this community through new employment opportunities, product packaging materials, and shipping logistics. It is something that we take pride in since my partner and I are both from Jackson,” Taylor said.
CONTACT US Send us your member news and photos: mseals@jacksontn.com
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Training Services Group, Inc. Company name: Training Services Group, Inc. Address: Located in Jackson; operates primarily in Western & Middle Tennessee Established when: 1994 About The Company: The principles are Jimmie Leach and Dennis Mays, both retired law enforcement officers. They provide training for law enforcement officers and the private sector and have trained thousands. Phone Number: (731) 616-6631, Jimmie Leach; (731) 217-9308, Dennis Mays Chamber Connection: What’s new with your organization? TSG: We recently established a licensed Tennessee private investigations division. In addition to providing training in investigations, we now provide investigative services to commercial, industrial, medical and legal entities. ABOVE: Training Services Group, Inc., participated in the December
2011 Chamber Home-Based & Out of Town Ribbon Cutting. Chamber Connection: What does your organization do that most people don’t know about? TSG: For the private sector, we provide on-site custom training in the areas of mitigating workplace violence, defusing confrontations, how to conduct in-house investigations and background investigations. And now, if an employer suspects they have a potential problem that needs to be investigated, or if the problem has manifested itself, we can provide them a thorough and discreet service. We have over 50 years combined experience conducting and supervising investigations.
Chamber Connection: What are some recent successes your organization has experienced? TSG: Through our partnership with the University of Tennessee at Martin, we are the recipient of a grant that allows us to provide cost free training to law enforcement officers in Western Tennessee.
Annual Celebration Photos
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WELCOME NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS! MARCH NEW MEMBERS Allied Barton Security Services Penny Estes 200 Jefferson Ave., Ste. 910 Memphis, TN 38103 (901) 488-1638 www.alliedbarton.com Category: Security Guard
New Dimensions Integrative Laser Therapies Tom Collins 375 D Vann Dr. Jackson, TN 38305 (731) 414-9996 www.nditherapies.com Category: Health & Wellness
Cheddar’s Casual Cafe’ Mark Ross 2116 Emporium Dr. Jackson, TN 38305 (731) 736-2362 www.cheddars.com Category: Restaurants
Old Country Auto Sales Bobby Greene 514 Airways Blvd. Jackson, TN 38301 (731) 427-5613 www.oldcountryauto.com Category: Automobile Dealers
Cody’s Saloon & Dance Hall Terry Johnson 59 Heritage Square Jackson, TN 38305 (731) 668-0010 Category: Bar/Tavern
Support Solutions of the Mid-South Cynthia White 250 N. Parkway, Ste. 25 Jackson, TN 38305 (731) 660-8500 www.supportsolutions.com Category: Assisted Living
Hare Financial Group Paul D. Hare 367 B N. Parkway, Ste. 4 Jackson, TN 38305 (731) 664-0047 Category: Financial & Financial Advisors J. Kent Freeman Floral Design & Gift Co., LLC Kent Freeman 2175 N. Highland Ave. Jackson, TN 38305 (731) 668-1188 www.jkentfreemanfloral.com Category: Florist Law Office of Edward L. Martindale, Jr., P.C. Edward L. Martindale, Jr. Waynesworth Park 174 W. University Pkwy. Jackson, TN 38305 (731) 660-1529 Category: Attorneys
Tri County Family Medicine & Urget Care Janice Pettigrew 110 E. Forest Ave. Jackson, TN 38301 (731) 424-6129 www.ourfamilymd.com Category: Medical Facility
Telescope Communications, Inc. Mel Ramsey 25 Longmire Rd. Humboldt, TN (731) 784-6000 www.tscope.net Category: Telecommunications - Service & Equipment The Barber School Torrus Brooks 77 Carriage House Dr., Ste. H Jackson, TN 38305 (731) 300-0537 www.thebarberschool.edu Category: Beauty and/or Barber Schools Touching Hearts at Home Steve Smith 1110 S. Main St. Milan, TN 38358 (731) 613-2526 www.touchinghearts.com/westtn Category: Assisted Living
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MARCH RENEWING MEMBERS
DECEMBER RENEWING MEMBERS 4D Sneak Peek Advantage Staffing Aloha Pools & Spas of Jackson Alpha Omega Food, LLC American Insurance Management AT&T Bent Tree Golf Club Berry Plastics - Jackson TN Best Western Carriage House Inn & Suites BLT Associates Cancer Care Center CHP International/Job Corps Admissions Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated Coldwell Banker Real Estate Now-Clare Hickey Coldwell Banker Real Estate Now-Lee Godfrey Coldwell Banker Real Estate Now-Pam Blasingame Cowart Reese Sargent, CPA’s, PC DCA/DCPR Dermatology Associates, LLC Designs by Julie Faith Express, Inc. First Tennessee Bank Geisler Young, LLC Gentle Dental Care Green With Envy Lawn Care Service, LLC Hayes & Sons Construction LP HFR Design, Inc. HORNE LLP HR Partners HydroClean LLC ING Financial Partners, LLC Jackson Engraving & Awards Co. Jackson Generals Baseball Club Jackson Oaks-Brookdale Senior Living Jackson-Madison Co. Sports Hall of Fame Jason’s Deli Labor Finders of Tennessee, Inc. Lawn Doctor of Tupelo-Corinth-Jackson Lowe Finney, State Senator Madison-Haywood Developmental Services, Inc. March of Dimes Marilyn Jackson’s Accessories Unlimited McCoy’s Heating & Air Micro Computer Center Morgan Income Tax Service Morgan Keegan & Co., Inc. Nell Huntspon Flower Box Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Old Country Store
Olive Garden Peaceful Oaks Bed and Breakfast Pratt Ind. (USA) Corrugating Div. Premier Place Catering Progressive Machine Tool & Mfg. Corp. R & J Feed Supply Company, Inc. Randstad US Rapid Response Restoration, Inc. Robert’s Jewelers SigNature Boutique Hotel Sipes & Seaton CPA Sodium Halogen Sparky’s Pizzeria & Grill Sports Orthopedics & Spine Stanley Black & Decker Steele Martin Jones & Company, PLC Sunrise Recycling Services Sweet CeCe’s Frozen Yogurt & Treats Tennessee National Guard Career Zone The Dream Center The Riechman Crosby Hays Co., Inc. (RCH) The Tennergy Corporation Thompson Machinery Thomsen Farms, LLC UGN, Inc. Victory Honda Victory Ranch Volunteer Technology Systems Wismarq Corporation
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RIBBON CUTTINGS & OPENINGS
Angie’s Book Attic 581 G Old Hickory Blvd. www.angiesbookattic.com Category: Book Dealers, Stores & Depositories
Charlie Bulldog’s 216 N. Shannon St. www.charliebulldogs.com Category: Restaurants
Kristen Elizabeth Photography 109 E. Lafayette St. www.kristenelizabethphotography.com Catetgory: Photography/Studio
The K.I.T.E. Center 636 Wallace Rd. Category:
Regional Hospital of Jackson Seizure Monitoring Unit 367 Hospital Blvd. www.regionalhospitaljackson. com Category: Hospital
Cole’s Detail Service 210 Commerce Center Category: Automobile Detailing
Twin Oaks 2227 E. Main St., Humboldt www.twinoaksofhumboldt. com Category: Wedding and/or Event Venue
Creekside Center for Depression & TMS 174 Murray Guard Dr. www.creeksidedepression.com Category: Mental Health Services
Tis the Season - New Location 31B Wiley Parker Rd. Category: Gift Shops
UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTINGS
• Premier Dental Center - Thursday, April 19, 4 p.m. 2574 Christmasville Cove, Suite G. Contact Jane Harden, (731) 663-9999. • Road to Shiloh Exhibit - Friday, April 20, 3 p.m. The Carnegie, 305 E. College St. • Glory Gymnastics - Tuesday, May 1, 4 p.m. 117 Bowling Dr. Contact Mark Crider, (731) 424-5437. • Home-Based and Out of Town Businesses Ribbon Cutting - Tuesday, June 19, 3 p.m. The Chamber, 197 Auditorium St. Contact Lisa Cothran, (731) 423-2200.
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MONTHLY ECONOMIC INDICATORS (MARCH) Total Labor Force
Feb. ’12
Feb. ‘11
Madison County
48,170
48,800
-1.3%
Jackson MSA (Madison & Chester Counties)
56,250
56,720
3,086,400
Tennessee
United States
Unemployment
154,114,000
Feb. ’12
Madison County 8.8% Jackson MSA 8.7% (Madison & Chester Counties) Tennessee 8.5% United States
8.7%
Jan. ’11
Rate Change
47,990
48,130
-0.3%
-0.8%
55,880
56,260
-0.7%
3,007,200
2.6%
3,054,400
3,097,900
-1.4%
152,635,000
1.0%
152,536,000
153,485,000
-0.6%
Jan. ’11
Rate Change -0.9%
Feb. ’11
Rate Change
Rate Change
Jan. ’12
Jan. ’12
10.1%
-1.3%
8.9%
9.8%
10.2%
-1.5%
9.0%
10.1%
-1.1%
10.2%
-1.7%
8.7%
10.2%
-1.5%
9.5%
-0.8%
8.8%
9.8%
-1.0%
Sales Tax Collected
Mar. '12
Mar. ‘11
Rate Change
City of Jackson
$3,184,308
$3,086,513
3.2%
Madison County
$3,423,659
$3,298,637
3.8%
Feb. '12
Feb. '11
Rate Change
$5,245,455
$5,135,448
2.1%
$5,574,894
$5,447,191
2.3%
Building Permits
Residential Number Issued Permit Value
Mar. ‘12 16 $2,183,800
Mar. ‘11
Feb. '12
Feb. '11
18 $2,854,000
12 $2,101,000
7 $1,750,000
12 $2,785,500
11 $6,627,266
Commercial Number Issued Permit Value
12 $1,485,903
28 $5,421,054
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