2012 | businessclimate.com/maury-county
business Visions of maury county tennessee
Magnet for Business County attracts job creators
Poised for Growth
Region capitalizes on location
Tooled for Success Former GM HQ trains tomorrow’s workforce
Sponsored by the maury county chamber and economic alliance
A New Way to Success …
Quality Products Offered … for You
Buy-Here Pay-Here “We Drive a Great Deal”
Commercial & Industrial Properties
Self-Storage
“WHAT You Store is Your Business. WHERE You Store is Our Business.®”
“The Customer is Always Right ®”
BOSTELMAN ENTERPRISES INC. 610 N. Garden St., Ste. 300 Columbia, TN 38401 (931) 380-2262 www.bostelmaninc.com
Columbia We Love Having You Here.® Nestle into a small town with a rich historical background and a sense of warmth and hospitality in Columbia, less than an hour south of Nashville. The Hampton Inn® hotel in Columbia is located off I-65, within easy reach of most historical sites, parks and malls. • Newly Renovated Lobby • Clean and Fresh Bed • Complimentary Hot Breakfast • Whirlpool Rooms • Fitness Center with PreCor Equipment and Free Weights
I-65, Exit 46 Columbia, TN 931-540-1222 www.columbia.hamptoninn.com
Workstyle
business Visions of maury county
Magnet for Business
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County attracts job creators
tennessee
Tooled for Success
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Former GM HQ trains tomorrow’s workforce
Poised for Growth
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Region capitalizes on location
Insight
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Overview
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Almanac
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Gallery
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Energy/ Technology
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Transportation
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Health
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Education
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Livability
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Economic Profile
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Through the Lens
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On the Cover Hands-on machining training at the Workforce Development and Conference Center at Northfield. Photo by Jeff Adkins
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Best of Maury County 2009 Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday Buffet 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
www.columbiamainstreet.com
(931) 388-3647
Something for All Occasions … At Our Place or Yours
Columbia Main Street – partner in downtown revitalization A-Z Office ResOuRces inc. • Office Supplies
“Working together for you”
• Furniture and Interior Design
24-hour open houses at: www.YourTNHomes.com 100 W. 6th Street • Columbia, TN 38401 (931) 384-9400 • www.BeckySellsColumbia.com
call us Today: • Keurig Brewers 800.851.0189 and Green www.azorinc.com Mountain Coffee
Maury County
Mon.-Thur.: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fri.: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat.: 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Janitorial/ Sanitation Products
PrODuCTS.
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109 E. 6th St. • Columbia • (931) 388-7109
• Technology Products
We Sell
Seating up to 150 Guests For a Delicious Meal … Come Join Us for Lunch! Family, Hot Buffet or Cafe Menu
36 Public Square • Columbia, TN 38401 (931) 840-3636 T • (931) 840-3663 F eat@squaremarketcafe.com Becky Thomas and Melissa Pyron
www.squaremarketcafe.com
business Visions of maury county tennessee
201 2 Edition , volum e 16 editorial project manager Emily McMackin Content Director Bill McMeekin
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Contributing writers Pamela Coyle, Melanie Kilgore-Hill, Bill Lewis, Betsy Williams Senior Graphic Designers Laura Gallagher, Janine Maryland, Kris Sexton, jake shores, Vikki Williams
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2012 | businessclimate.com/maury-county
business Visions of maury county
Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers Todd Bennett, Antony Boshier, mitchell franz color imaging technician alison hunter Integrated Media Manager jared lane
tennessee
Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf
magnet for business
Ad Traffic Assistants Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan
County attracts job creators
poised for Growth
Chairman Greg Thurman
Region capitalizes on location
President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President Ray Langen Senior V.P./Sales Todd Potter Senior V.P./Operations Casey Hester Senior V.P./Client Development Jeff Heefner Senior V.P./business Development Scott Templeton Senior V.P./Agribusiness Publishing kim holmberg
tooled for success
Lifestyle
Former GM HQ trains tomorrow’s workforce
Find out what it’s like to live here and what makes the community such a special place to be.
V.P./business Development Clay Perry V.P./external communications Teree Caruthers V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester V.P./Content Operations Natasha Lorens V.P./travel publishing susan chappell
sponsored by the maury county chamber and economic alliance
Read the magazine on your computer, zoom in on articles and link to advertiser websites.
V.P./Sales Rhonda Graham, Herb Harper, Jarek Swekosky Controller Chris Dudley Senior Accountant Lisa Owens
site guide >>
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Find available commercial
Sales Support Coordinator Alex Marks Sales Support project manager sara quint
and industrial properties with
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Web Creative Director Allison Davis Web Content Manager John Hood Web project manager noy fongnaly Web Designer II richard stevens
success breeds success >>
Web Development Lead Yamel Hall Web Developer I Nels noseworthy Photography Director Jeffrey S. Otto Creative Services Director Christina Carden Creative Technology Analyst Becca ary
Workstyle A spotlight on the region’s innovative companies.
Audience Development Director Deanna Nelson
Meet the people who set the pace for business innovation.
new media assistant alyssa dicicco Distribution Director Gary Smith
Dig Deeper >>
Executive Secretary Kristy Duncan Human Resources Manager Peggy Blake
Plug into the community with
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links to local websites and resources to give you a big picture of the region.
Business Visions of Maury County is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Maury Chamber and Economic Alliance. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at info@jnlcom.com.
Demographics >> A wealth of demographic
For more information, contact:
and statistical information
Maury Chamber and Economic Alliance 106 West 6th Street • Columbia, TN 38401 Phone: (931) 388-2155 • Fax: (931) 380-0335 www.mauryalliance.com
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Visit Business Visions of Maury County online at businessclimate.com/maury-county ©Copyright 2012 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member Member
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The City of Spring Hill, TN is Proud to Support Maury County
199 Town Center Pkwy. P.O. Box 789 Spring Hill, TN 37174 (931) 486-2252 www.springhilltn.org
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Maury County
Overview
Maury County Offers Location, Workforce and Livability Assets for Businesses
You are invited to take a look at the old and new advantages a Maury County location offers businesses.
of Tennessee, Maury County’s rich history and stately old homes help give the cities a distinctive sense of place. Ancient and beautiful natural landmarks, such as the Stillhouse Hollow Falls and Southport Saltpeter Cave, are complimented by modern recreational facilities in more than 240 acres of parks. The Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance invites you to see what Columbia, Spring Hill and Mount Pleasant have to offer. To see for yourself, visit www.mauryalliance.com. Or just call Maury County Alliance President Brandom Gengelbach or Maury County Alliance Director of Economic Development Wil Evans.
Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance 106 W. Sixth St. Columbia, TN 38401 (931) 388-2155 www.mauryalliance.com
Maury County
To Nashville
Spring Hill Santa Fe 396 Williamsport 7
MAURY
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Hampshire
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Columbia
Mount Pleasant
PKW Y.
T RA CE
EZ
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Culleoka 31
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NA TC H
In late 2010, the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance unveiled a four-year strategic plan, focusing on a diversified economy for Maury County. The emphasis of this strategy is about capitalizing on the unique assets of the community to create jobs. One such asset is Maury County’s strategic location on Interstate 65. This enviable location translates into great accessibility and cost effectiveness for a company considering Maury County. Currently, we are in the planning stages to potentially develop a business park along I-65 that will offer companies exceptional access to our regional transportation infrastructure, including I-65, I-24, I-40 and TN-840. Another asset to help our economic diversification is the Northfield Building in Spring Hill. Formerly GM’s Saturn corporate headquarters, Northfield offers plug-and-play office space to companies looking to be operational in a short timeline. In 2011, the Northfield building became home to TRG Customer Solutions, a leading global business process outsourcing provider of customer management solutions. The company occupies 50,000 square feet of the property and will initially employ more than 300 people. Finally, Maury County has a livability factor that is truly unique among its peers. Not only are we located on I-65, but our close proximity to Nashville (30 minutes) and Huntsville (50 minutes) provides residents with easy access to metropolitan amenities while also giving them a low cost of living and a great small-town atmosphere. Known as the Antebellum Capital
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Almanac Art Appreciation
Ph oto C o u r t e sy o f J en o f Th e Ph oto G r a p h i x ( w w w.t h ep h oto gr a p h i x .c o m)
Got a heart for art? Columbia is home to several artistic outlets. Shoppers can admire artwork and jewelry handcrafted by local artisans in the spacious gallery at Wall Candy, which also sells custom frames for decorative art. Art lovers can peruse exhibits in media from paintings and photography to pottery and wood carvings at the Pryor Art Gallery at Columbia State Community College, which frequently displays art from local elementary and middle schools as well. Dedicated to promoting local arts, the Maury County Arts Guild is one of several organizations that sponsor performance art at Columbia State, including plays, musicals and orchestral presentations, and also hosts the annual Mule Day Arts and Crafts Show, which showcases local crafts and artwork.
Superstar Movers Moving furniture often involves scrapes, bruises and damaged or lost valuables, but not with VIP Moving Storage. The thirdgeneration family-owned business helps customers forgo these aggravations with its professionalquality service that ensures valuables are not lost or damaged and arrive at their destination on time. Since its inception in 1932, the business has set such a track record that it is now the official mover of the Tennessee Titans as well as other NFL teams. VIP’s independence from chain moving services allows it to create customized services to suit customer’s needs such as moving high-value or especially fragile items, or storing items in its 50,000-square-foot facility constantly monitored for security.
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Soaking in the Praise The Bathworks, a Columbia-based bathtub restoration and reproduction company with roots in the United Kingdom, recently made news for its freestanding Victorian and Edwardian antique and vintage tubs. This Old House chose a Bathworks tub, molded after an antique cast-iron soaker, as one of its top 100 Best New Home Products for 2011. Along with selling original vintage tubs, Bathworks also uses its hand-finished craftsmanship to reproduce bathtubs that mimic their antique predecessors when an original is unavailable.
Raise a Glass
Just for Kids Downtown Columbia is full of kid-friendly places. The child-centric aMuse’um encourages kids to explore the world’s wonders, with exhibits like Small Town Charm, which teaches about communal roles, From Farm to Table, which educates them about farming, and Doctor’s Office, which shows how doctors use technology to diagnose injuries. The Castle For Kids is more than a toy shop. It provides its pint-size customers with fun activities that spur creativity, including artist and author showcases, craft parties and dress-up parties. For parents, a visit downtown isn’t complete without a stop by Itty Bitty Children’s Boutique, which sells uniquely styled children’s clothing and accessories that stand out from chain-store merchandise.
Wine connoisseurs can find plenty of wineries to enjoy in the town of Hampshire, home to Natchez Hills Vineyard, Amber Falls Winery and Cellars, and Keg Springs Winery. The recently opened Natchez Hills Vineyard is preparing its vines to produce wines in the near future and offers a 200-seat event center for a wide range of activities, including wedding receptions, concerts and dinner theater productions. Amber Falls Winery and Cellars produces several premier wines ranging from bold, dry reds to bubbly, fruity wine, which can be sampled in a tasting room in the winery’s cellar. Keg Springs is a family-owned and -operated vineyard that has been in business for seven years, offering an ample selection of wines in its tasting pavilion.
Ph o t o C o u r t e s y o f t h e C o l u mb i a M a i n S t r e e t C o r p o r at i o n
Fresh From the Farm
Columbia’s Farmers’ Fresh Market brings residents downtown for the freshest food items from local growers. With the help of USDA and state agriculture department grants, the market is expanding into a pavilion with amenities including electrical outlets and ceiling fans. Based in Columbia, the Tennessee Farm Bureau supports the efforts of these farmers, many of whom are part of its 650,000-strong membership. Research on commercial crops, fruit trees and more is conducted at Spring Hill’s Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center, a program run by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. businessclimate.com/maury-county
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BMC METALWORKS LLC “Emphasizing High Quality, Service and Value to its Customers” A 38-year-old company providing a full line of machining, fabrication, and field team services for numerous industries throughout the Southeast. The company, originally established in 1974, has grown to its present size, which includes three large production buildings, totaling more than 70,000 square feet, and positioned on seven acres just 3 miles northwest of downtown Columbia, TN.
1116 New Highway 7 Columbia, TN 38401 931.388.2978 www.bmcmetalworksllc.com
Taxi Service • airporT ShuTTle General TranSporTaTion Serving North American Families Since 1972
(800) 675-7088 Ext. 301 – Office (615) 337-2972 – Cell timothylthomas@legalshield.com www.needsmetnow.com www.greatlegalbenefit.com
Timothy Thomas Small Business & Group Benefits Specialist, Independent Agent
Maury County Public Schools 501 West 8th St. Columbia, TN 38401 (931) 388-8403 Find us on
w w w.m a u r yk12.o rg 10
Maury County
931-381-5188 855-REGION1 (855-734-4661) P.O. Box 297 • Columbia, TN 38402 RegionwideTransit@yahoo.com
www.RegionwideTransit.com … and they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (KJV) Acts 16:31
Popular With the Palate Maury County is home to several independent restaurants, including River Terrace Restaurant, Mt. Pleasant Grille, Square Market & Cafe, Campbell Station Country Store and Restaurant. Craving spicy food? The family-owned and -operated River Terrace Restaurant serves authentic Cajun cuisine cooked by native New Orleanians. The menu includes everything from Creole creations such as crawfish etouffee to steaks and international specialties such as Venezuelan eggplant Parmesan and Thai shrimp. Got a hankering for home cooking? Mt. Pleasant Grille in downtown Mt. Pleasant offers a menu full of homestyle entrees and healthy sides served in a vintage 1950s soda shop setting. Stop by Square Market & Cafe in downtown Columbia to sample homemade soups and sandwiches, as well as seafood, steaks and pasta dishes, or venture out to Campbell Station Country Store and Restaurant in Culleoka for the best sweet tea and fried pie around. For upcoming events, reserve space at Westbury House on the Square. With its hardwood floors, exposed brick interior, chandeliers and on-site catering, the Columbia event venue brings an elegant touch to everything from casual gatherings to formal receptions.
Ecological wonder
Built to last Ridley Park is a top site for softball and baseball tournaments, but it is also known for its architecture. Named Project of the Year for 2011 by the Tennessee chapter of the American Public Works Association, the park was recognized for its use of good construction techniques, protection of the environment, ability to overcome adverse conditions and exceptional efforts in construction. Aesthetics are also important to both Heritage Funeral Home and Community First Bank and Trust, which each earned the Mayor’s Design Award for the creative way they incorporated the character of the community into their building design and landscape.
With destinations like the Amazon River, the forests of Madagascar, and the rainforests of Borneo, it’s hard to imagine any Tennessee spot as a mecca for biodiversity, but it’s true. National Geographic recently named Maury County’s Duck River as one of the world’s four most biologically diverse places, ranking it alongside a French Polynesian coral reef, South Africa’s Table Mountain and a cloud forest in Costa Rica. Being so biologically diverse means the river averages more life in a cubic foot of space than most any other known place. Nature buffs will soon be able to access the river from several points once trails connecting it to downtown Columbia are completed later this year.
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Business Climate
A Magnet for Maury County attracts job creators
Story by Bill Lewis Photography by Jeff Adkins
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usinesses of all sizes – from automaker General Motors to business process outsourcer TRG Customer Solutions – are opening new operations in Maury County and taking advantage of businessfriendly attributes that make the county a magnet for new investment and job creation. As a result, the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance, the county’s economic development organization, is on its way to meet or surpass its four-year goal of attracting 1,500 new jobs. Supporters of the organization are so energized that they quickly met their goal of raising $2.75 million to fund economic development efforts. “Our organization is aligned, determined and now has the resources to get the job done,” says Randy Wilmore, past board chairman for the Maury Alliance. Expanding businesses have announced the creation of 900 jobs, bringing added momentum to the local economy. Those jobs are in addition to the nearly 1,900
new jobs General Motors is creating at its former Saturn factory in Spring Hill. “We’re in a better position in terms of economic development than we’ve ever been,” says Maury Alliance president Brandom Gengelbach. GM Restarts Operations The largest single announcement of new jobs was made by GM, which is transforming the Spring Hill factory where Saturn once made cars into a “flex facility.” The factory will build the popular Equinox crossover SUV and other vehicles as demand requires. At currently announced staffing levels, the Spring Hill facility will have approximately 3,000 workers, making it Maury County’s largest employer once again. “Spring Hill has a history as one of GM’s most innovative and flexible plants,” says Cathy Clegg, vice president of GM labor relations. “We’re pleased that, working together with the UAW, we were able to build on that history and develop a plan to
A microbiologist tests samples in the lab at Integrity Nutraceuticals in Spring Hill.
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Business
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Northfield Welcomes Entrepreneurs The Workforce Development & Conference Center at Northfield will soon open its doors entrepreneurs. The center is the home of one of Tennessee’s nine new Regional Entrepreneurial Accelerators. The accelerator will receive a $250,000 grant to help it carry out its mission of providing mentoring, education and training, strategic and technical support, and assistance identifying sources
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of capital to local entrepreneurs as they develop business plans and launch companies. The Regional Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program is part of Gov. Bill Haslam’s INCITE initiative designed to support innovation and drive growth in the creation of knowledge-based jobs. INCITE is named for its focus on innovation, commercialization, investment, technology and entrepreneurship.
resume production at Spring Hill.” GM has been present in Maury County for more than 20 years, but TRG represents a new kind of employer for the area. The company, a leading global business process outsourcing provider of customer management solutions and technologies, is creating 300 jobs at its new call center in Spring Hill. It is located in the Northfield Building, previously used as Saturn’s headquarters. Growth in Manufacturing, Auto Production Auto parts supplier IB Tech is also growing in Maury County. The company selected Mount Pleasant as the site of its new production facility, where it eventually expects to create 385 jobs. “The location, support from community leaders, solid workforce and great facility in Mount Pleasant (were) key in our selection process,” says IB Tech vice president John Freundner. Sekisui Plastics USA, which manufactures foam resin polymers used in automobile assemblies, recently expanded its Mount Pleasant operation, investing $3 million and adding 50,000 square feet. The expansion will eventually create 25 new jobs. Integrity Nutraceuticals, which imports nutraceuticals from India and China and sells its finished products to retailers, has leased a building previously occupied by Delphi to make room for expansion. The company moved to Maury County from Florida in 2007. “We drew a circle on a map around Nashville [during the site selection process],” president Tim Romero says. “What it came down to was the availability of property and where we wanted to live.”
Above (left): Workers assemble vehicles at GM’s Spring Hill plant. Above (right): Integrity Nutraceuticals imports nutraceuticals to supply to retailers.
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High in Demand Maury County has what companies want: a talented, ample workforce Story by Betsy Williams Photography by Jeff Adkins
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or relocating and expanding companies, Maury County offers a proficient and plentiful workforce to help employers get their operations up and running smoothly. With a wealth of educational and training resources, including the accredited Columbia State Community College, a network of technical training centers and the job training-focused Northfield Center, this southern Middle Tennessee county meets company employment demands with a skilled and flexible approach.
by the numbers
Recruiting the Best and Brightest Putting the right employee in the right job is the task of the South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance, which works with companies over an eightcounty region to help them identify the best and brightest workers from
Number of people employed by General Motors
35,560
Number of people who make up Maury County’s labor force
13,858
Individuals in the region who hold a degree from a four-year higher education institution
1,300 600
Approximate number of small businesses in the county
Students get a crash course in auto technology at the Workforce Development Center at Northfield.
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a regional labor pool of more than 100,000. “Educated workforce individuals are now accustomed to the reality that a high school education is not enough for today’s employers,” says Jan McKeel, SCTWA’s executive director. “More and more job seekers are heading back to acquire some form of additional education and training. We are all about people going to work and being able to take care of their families. If they’ve lost their jobs or want better positions, we want to maximize their abilities.” Maury County’s workers are trained in a combination of skill sets that are in demand for a number of industries, McKeel says, including manufacturing, customer service, health care and corporate support. Thousands Earn Career Readiness Certificates “More than 15,000 employees in the regional workforce – including 5,200 Maury County workers – have earned a National Career Readiness Credential,” McKeel says. “We’re tops in the state of Tennessee as a region.” The NCRC is a credential based on the WorkKeys Employment System, a comprehensive procedure for measuring, communicating and improving the basic skills required for success in the workplace. More than 40 area companies have utilized this program to recruit and retrain workers since the SCTWA introduced the tool five years ago, McKeel notes. “We have so many certified workers because we have a trained and trainable workforce with a good
foundation,” she says. “Our employers understand the importance of that, and they have supported our efforts.” Northfield: An Engine for Job Training Having a facility that houses all these services is the proverbial icing on the cake. Opened since 2011, the Workforce Development and Conference Center at Northfield, with the SCTWA acting as landlord, is a facility that enables different educational institutions to offer classes under one roof, McKeel says. Classes not traditionally available in the area are now offered in the Spring Hill-based former General Motors administrative facility, including green jobs and solar photovoltaic technologies, EMT/paramedic programs, automotive technology, heating ventilation and air-conditioning classes – and more are planned. “The technology centers and Columbia State are crucial to our plan at Northfield,” McKeel says, noting that one-third of the building is utilized for training at no cost to the institutions providing it, while two-thirds of the 300,000-square-foot building is available for lease to companies providing jobs and economic investment. Maury County’s workforce played a role in TRG Customer Solutions’ decision to open a customer service center in Spring Hill, leasing 50,000 square feet in the Northfield Center in 2011. Employment is expected to exceed 300, a large percentage of which had previously been unemployed.
Above: New hires at TRG Customer Solutions in Spring Hill. Right: A worker assembles solar arrays for a solar energy firm at Northfield.
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Poised for Growth Maury County boosting its assets for relocating, expanding companies
Story by Bill Lewis Photography by Jeff Adkins
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usiness success often depends upon three key factors – location, location, location – and Maury County is capitalizing on its prime location in southern Middle Tennessee to create opportunities for new and expanding companies looking for the perfect place to do business. Economic development officials are focusing on projects that will make Maury County the destination of choice for companies that need to efficiently ship goods by truck or rail, says Brandom Gengelbach, president of Maury Alliance, the county’s economic development organization. “Time is money,” Gengelbach says. “It’s about transporting goods efficiently.” With the assistance of the
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Tennessee Valley Authority, Maury County economic development leaders have been busy examining 13 sites along Interstate 65 to find the perfect spot for a potential industrial park. They are also considering extending rail access to the Cherry Glen Industrial Park in Mount Pleasant. “We’ve narrowed it down to a few finalists along I-65,” says Wil Evans, manager of economic development for Maury Alliance. “We’re in the final stages, the nitty gritty.” State Route 840 Drives Planning The goal of an I-65 industrial park is to make Maury County even more attractive to businesses engaged in light manufacturing
and wholesaling, according to Gengelbach. “That’s where our community’s sweet spot is,” he says. With quick access to the interstate, the industrial park would position Maury County for growth once the final section of State Route 840 is completed and connects I-65 with I-40 in Dickson County west of Nashville. That route will make it easier for Maury County manufacturers to reach customers across the country through the I-40 corridor, Gengelbach says. Trucks from Maury County will no longer have to travel on state highways or detour to connect with I-40 in Nashville before heading west. “State Route 840 opens up from Memphis to Texas,” Gengelbach says. The final stretch of SR 840
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Maury County’s 587-acre Cherry Glen Industrial Park, located in Mount Pleasant, sits just 20 miles from I-65.
between I-65 and I-40 at Dickson is scheduled to be finished by December 2012, says B.J. Doughty, spokesperson for the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Competition for Cool Springs The as-yet-unnamed I-65 business park will also position Maury County to compete for corporate offices like those in nearby Cool Springs. Those types of developments have already started moving south along the I-65 corridor toward Maury County, as evidenced by the arrival of TRG Customer Solutions in Spring Hill. TRG, a leading global provider of outsourced customer
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management solutions and technologies, is creating 300 jobs at its new contact center in the Workforce Development and Conference Center at Northfield, the former headquarters of General Motors’ Saturn division. The company is leasing 50,000 square feet of the facility, says Jan McKeel, executive director of the South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance, which is acquiring the building from GM. The building is a community asset unmatched in any other non-urban county, McKeel says. Columbia State Community College, Belmont University and others operate workforce training programs there, and it will also be
home to one of Tennessee’s nine business accelerators, where start-up businesses and entrepreneurs can lease space and get advice. The Northfield Center still has about 150,000 square feet of space available for new businesses looking for a prime location, McKeel says. “It’s beautiful,” she says. “Even more than 20 years later, it looks like new.” With the 587-acre Cherry Glen Industrial Park, Maury County also has a location to offer businesses that need room to grow but don’t need an interstate location. The industrial park is approximately 20 miles from I-65. To make Cherry Glen more competitive, officials are
considering connecting it with nearby tracks operated by the Tennessee Southern Railroad. The proposal would require building a bridge over a four-lane highway to give Cherry Glen’s tenants access to a national rail network through Tennessee Southern’s CSX connection. Businesses in the industrial park would also have access to the Port of Florence on the Tennessee River, which is operated by Tennessee Southern. The port serves barge traffic from the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. “It gives us an advantage attracting industry to our area,” says Matt Prince, general manager of Tennessee Southern.
Gallery
Maury County’s annual Mule Day Festival in Columbia celebrates the region’s agricultural roots. Photo by Jeffrey S. Otto
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A picnic shelter along the Duck River Walk is just one of Maury County’s many recreational retreats. Photo by Jeff Adkins
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p h o t o s b y J e ff A d k i n s
Energy/Technology
Charged and Ready Electric vehicle charging stations create business potential
Story by Pamela Coyle
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lexander’s Indoor Storage in downtown Columbia has power and wants to share. Owner Rick Alexander recently installed three charging stations for electric vehicles, and allows everyone, non-customers included, free use of them. “I want people to shop downtown,” Alexander says. “If they are going to be downtown shopping and need a charge, we are just one block south of the courthouse.” Alexander’s is one of several Columbia stores installing electric vehicle charging stations, following the pioneering effort of Maury County, which is part of a national program to test the use of electric vehicles and the demand for EV charging stations across the U.S. Maury Businesses Welcome EVs Regionally, Columbia and Spring Hill are two pilot cities in Tennessee’s Electric Vehicle Project, which is placing Internet-connected charging stations across the state as part of a $230 million project funded partly with Department of Energy grants. In Maury County, the locations of free stations include, in addition to Alexander’s, Barr Motor Company in Columbia, Kohl’s department store in Spring Hill, Maury Regional Medical Center and the Skyway BP along Highway 50. South Central Tennessee Development District’s offices in the Cherry Glen
Bryan Haynes charges his Nissan Leaf at Alexander’s Indoor Storage in downtown Columbia.
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Industrial Park also have two stations. Maury County’s embrace of EV technology is strong, says Stephanie Cox, Tennessee area manager for ECOtality, which oversees the charging station program. She met with community and business leaders in 2011 and was impressed by their commitment. “They wanted to jump in right away and make sure the community was prepared in terms of coordination of utilities and other issues,” she says. “They have definitely embraced the state of best practices for EV readiness.” The fact that Nissan USA, a few miles down the road in Smyrna, Tenn., is producing lithium-ion batteries to power the Nissan Leaf and starting U.S. production of the all-electric car at its assembly facility there doesn’t hurt. Plans are in the works for a charging station in Mount Pleasant and other Maury County locales by summer 2012. Fast-chargers on the Way These Level 2 (240 VAC) stations can “top off” an electric vehicle while their drivers shop, stroll downtown or handle other nearby business. Recharging a depleted Leaf battery takes up to eight hours with these units; quick-chart Level 3 stations that can do the job in 30 minutes are on the way. Middle Tennessee was among Nissan’s first markets for the 2011 all-electric Leaf. The Chevy Volt, an EV with a small gas engine that boosts the car’s range, arrived in Tennessee in late 2012. Early Leaf and Volt owners can receive free home charging stations, worth at least $2,500, if they agree to participate in the EV Project, which gathers information on charging-station use at commercial sites and private homes to evaluate how consumers use electricity as fuel. As of early spring 2012, Tennessee drivers had snapped up more than 500 of the 1,000 incentives available, Cox says. The program may expand; most Tier 1 automakers will hit the market with their own EVs in 2012. Visibility of EVs on the road and public charging stations set an appropriate tone for Maury County, says Wil Evans, manager of economic development at the Maury Alliance. “If the right company is looking for that, it can appeal to executives in terms of the livability factor,” he says. “We do have that progressive feel.”
Clockwise from left: Rooftop solar panels at Alexander’s Indoor Storage; Maury County is part of a national project to test Electric Vehicle technology; Charge-A-Lot business owner Bryan Haynes installs free EV stations for customers using the technology.
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Brian McCord
p h o t o s b y J e ff A d k i n s
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Transportation
Good Connections County has convenient transportation options, with more on the way
Maury Regional Airport, which features a 6,000-foot runway, can accommodate all sizes of corporate jets.
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Maury County
Story by Kevin Litwin
M
S ta ff Ph o t o
aury County has plenty of drive, thanks in part to its transportation network. Businesses find the region attractive because it’s located along Interstate 65, with U.S. Highways 31, 43 and 412 passing through, offering proximity to State Route 840 and connections to I-24 and I-40. “Our county is halfway between Nashville and Huntsville, which are both straight shots along I-65,” says Wil Evans, manager of economic development with the Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance. “We are also home to Maury Regional Airport and its 6,000-foot runway that can accommodate all sizes of corporate jets.” For shipping by water, Maury County is 60 miles from the port of Florence, Ala. “There is CSX rail service in the northern portion of the county, while Tennessee Southern Railroad has an off-loading site near Cherry Glen Industrial Park in Mount Pleasant,” Evans says. “For transportation, this is a well laid-out community.”
A River Runs Through It In Columbia, leaders are establishing pedestrian-friendly centers. To draw more foot traffic, a Duck River Walk project connecting Columbia’s downtown to the river is expected to be completed this spring. “We have a beautiful, natural businessclimate.com/maury-county
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C o u r t e s y o f T o w n P l a n n i n g a n d Urb a n D e s i g n C o l l a b o r at i v e , LL C
Above: Pedestrian-friendly projects in Maury County include the Boulevard 2050 plan, which would make Columbia’s James Campbell Boulevard corridor more walkable.
Duck River asset that pedestrians haven’t been able to really see in the past, but now they can,” says Jim Fuller, Columbia city engineer. “There is an excellent one-mile walk that people can enjoy along Riverside Drive stretching from the old Columbia Dam to near North Main Street, plus surrounding streets and crosswalks have been refurbished. There are now several points of the Duck River that can be accessed by pedestrians.” More Pedestrian-friendly Projects Another planned pedestrian transportation project is an upgrade to Columbia’s James Campbell Boulevard corridor. The initial plan will include the stretch from Trotwood Avenue, where Maury Regional Hospital sits, to Brookmeade Drive, where the
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Wal-Mart Supercenter is located. “That portion of James Campbell is currently a busy, five-lane, 45-mph highway surprisingly used by many people who walk or cycle to stores along that road, even though no sidewalks are in place,” says Norman Wright, City of Columbia planning director. “Those people must walk on the highway shoulder or along grass berms or through parking lots to arrive at their destination.” Wright says $10 million needs to be spent to bury power lines; construct sidewalks, curbs and gutters; install landscape; and resurface part of the boulevard. “We will have a strategy by late summer or early fall 2012 on the best way to fund it,” Wright says. “The James Campbell project will happen. We just have to figure out the how and when.”
Maury County’s transportation assets • The county has easy access to Interstate 65 and U.S. Highways 31, 43 and 412, and is close to State Route 840. • CSX and Tennessee Southern Railroad serve the community. • Maury Regional Airport has a 6,000-foot runway that can accommodate all sizes of corporate jets. • For port shipping, Maury County is 60 miles from Florence, Ala. • The county is within a four-hour drive of Atlanta, Birmingham, Chattanooga, Huntsville, Lexington, Louisville and Memphis.
J e ff A d k i n s
Children play along the Duck River Walk in downtown Columbia.
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Health
A Medical Marvel Maury Regional Medical Center continues to rank among the nation’s best
Story by Melanie Kilgore-Hill • Photography by Jeff Adkins
A Community Partner As the largest hospital between Nashville and Huntsville, Ala., the 275-bed Maury Regional Medical Center serves more than 260,000 people in southern Middle Tennessee. It’s the secondlargest employer in Maury County and the first and only medical center in Tennessee to receive a Pathway of Excellence designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, recognizing it as one of the best places for nurses to work.
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Y
ear after year, Columbia’s Maury Regional Medical Center is ranked among the best health systems in the nation. And 2012 is no exception.
Best of the Best MRMC was the only hospital in Tennessee recognized recently as a top 10 health-care system by Thomson Reuters. The award was based on key measures including lives saved, clinical outcomes and patient safety and satisfaction. The results are no accident, says MRMC CEO Robert Otwell. “We set our goals high and have process improvement initiatives in place throughout the system, where we focus on quality outcomes, service and cost,” Otwell says. “We feel we should be the highest value provider for patients in southern Middle Tennessee.” In 2011, MRMC was named a top-100 hospital by Thomson Reuters and by WomenCertified, a referral service for female consumers. It was also the only Middle Tennessee provider among the Top Performing Hospitals in the Premier health-care alliance’s national QUEST collaborative – an initiative that helps member hospitals deliver the best
possible care through collaboration on process solutions. Excellence in Care As the region’s only heart center, MRMC provides interventional cath lab procedures such as angioplasty and stenting, and cardiothoracic surgery through a collaboration with Vanderbilt Heart. Included by Thomson Reuters among 50 of the nation’s top cardiovascular hospitals, Maury Regional is also home to a Level III accredited chest pain center, and provides cardiac and pulmonary rehab to help patients recover faster. MRMC’s Diagnostic Imaging department recently became the first in Tennessee to install a high-field open MRI system. The Hitachi Oasis open MRI system minimizes claustrophobia and anxiety, and its high-resolution scans are faster and clearer than ever. The hospital also is a leader in oncology, and is expanding cancer care into the community. In June 2012, MRMC will complete a $2.5 million expansion into the Columbia Mall. The 39,640 square-foot space will house MRMC physician group FHG Oncology and outpatient intravenous therapy services. “We see this as an
opportunity to provide more convenient, accessible service to patients receiving cancer treatment,” Otwell says. “We wanted to design something around the needs of the patient.” Orthopaedic surgeons at MRMC were among the nation’s first to perform the reverse shoulder implant and the gender-specific knee replacement for women. Spine procedures include disc repairs and cervical and lumbar disc surgery and fusion. The hospital also offers a range of neurological services, including stroke and injury treatment, while the tiniest patients receive care in a neonatal intensive care unit staffed by specially trained physicians and nurses from Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Maury Regional plans to expand its Spring Hill presence with the construction of a 62,365-squarefoot facility, which will offer a walk-in clinic, physical therapy, a specialty clinic and physician practices. The facility will also include an ambulatory surgery center and cancer services in collaboration with Vanderbilt University Medical Center. It will augment MRMC’s primary care practice and imaging center in Spring Hill, which offers MRI, CT, digital mammography, ultrasound, bone densitometry and general X-ray services. Above: Medical staff use state-of-the-art equipment for surgery in The Heart Center at Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia.
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Committed to Care Medical options plentiful in Maury County Health-care options in Maury County ensure quality care is available to everyone, regardless of age or income. For more than 60 years, the Maury County Health Department has provided comprehensive medical services for families in the region. More than 60,000 patients utilize the department each year, participating in primary and preventive care services, child health programs, immunizations and more. Nutrition therapy and emergency preparedness training are also offered at the Columbia facility. Dental professionals work with area schools to provide exams and education for students, while women from low-income or uninsured families receive care as part of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. The clinic also houses the South Central Regional TB Clinic and a “Centers of Excellence” HIV/AIDS Clinic. “Maury County Health Department provides quality, timely services to the community to protect, treat and prevent disease or illness of the community,” says Elizabeth Cook, public health director for Maury County.
up to two weeks, receiving intense physical therapy and around-theclock care. NHC Healthcare, Hillview also includes 50 long-term care beds, with patients rating their care at an impressive 96 percent satisfaction rate. A highly trained staff and innovative senior activities make the unit a popular choice for those
searching for a trusted long-term care environment. “We provide residents with activities such as music classes and Internet training,” says Edward Moore, administrator of NHC Healthcare, Hillview. “We want them to stay current and be part of a vibrant community.” – Melanie Kilgore-Hill
rehab, Assisted Living care From its youngest patients to its elderly population, Maury County offers the highest level of care for all ages. The 92-bed NHC Healthcare, Hillview clinic in Columbia houses a pediatric outpatient clinic for speech therapy, while an Ortho Short Stay unit helps patients kick-start the recovery process after knee and hip replacement surgery. Patients stay
A patient does physical therapy exercises with the help of Laura Brown, rehab director at NHC Healthcare, Hillview.
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Education
Turning Out Talent Maury County students include educated employees, lifelong learners
Story by Jessica Walker • Photography by Jeff Adkins
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elping create and maintain a strong workforce, Maury County’s higher-education institutions are providing more opportunities than ever. Students can choose from both general education courses and specialized training programs – and everything in between – as they pursue their careers. Exploring the Possibilities As the state’s oldest community college, Columbia State Community College has been educating area students for more than 40 years. Since it opened in 1967, the two-year school has expanded to offer five locations and more than 50 programs. While some students opt to obtain associate degrees and immediately enter the workforce, others use their time at Columbia State preparing to earn a bachelor’s degree at another institution. “The vast majority of students take general education courses to earn an associate’s degree, with plans to transfer to a four-year bachelor’s program,” says Amy Green, director of marketing and public relations at Columbia State. “It’s a way to get started close to home because students have a chance to explore a lot of different possibilities.” Thanks to the Tennessee transfer pathways, created through the Complete College Tennessee Act of 2010, students can transfer their credits from At Columbia State Community College, students can pursue an associate degree or easily transfer credits to another institution.
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Left: Students experiment with medical technology in a CSCC class. Right: CSCC offers more than 50 programs of study.
Columbia State to any public college in the Tennessee Board of Regents or University of Tennessee system as well as some private universities and colleges in Tennessee. The school also offers workforce and economic development programs, as well as continuing education courses. In January, Columbia State began providing accelerated business management and business information technology programs, both ideal for working adults since classes meet once a week for 18 months. “From the moment a student walks on campus to the time they graduate, our focus is preparing them to contribute to the community in a positive way,” says Dr. Janet Smith, Columbia State president. “They become our leaders.” Top-notch Training Serving Maury County since January 2010, the Workforce Development and Conference Center at Northfield helps students obtain customized training from multiple schools without leaving the area. “This isn’t a straightforward school,” says Tom Brewer, director of the center. “We aren’t
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an accredited institution; our facility provides space for accredited schools.” Northfield has worked with Columbia State, Tennessee Technology centers at Hohenwald and Pulaski and Belmont University to provide courses in a variety of areas. Past offerings include programs in EMT/paramedics, computer numerical control machining, phlebotomy and licensed practical nursing. “We collaborate with these schools to make training more available to a larger group of people,” Brewer says. One of the most successful programs at the facility in 2011 was through Belmont University. Sixteen students completed Belmont’s accelerated teaching program through courses at Northfield, and each went on to secure a position at a local school. “We try to tailor everything we do so that when people graduate, they can get a job,” Brewer says. Northfield will offer a culinary arts program in the fall, thanks to its large, commercial kitchen. Other programs being considered include residential plumbing and wiring, computer operating systems and networking technology, automotive technology, industrial maintenance and more.
High-Tech Teaching Students, teachers learn with iPads at Columbia Academy
Technical Training in Hohenwald, Pulaski Students can receive technical training through the Tennessee Technology Center at the school’s Hohenwald and Pulaski campuses. A variety of full-time and part-time programs, such as business systems technology, practical nursing and industrial maintenance technology, are available at both locations. The school’s Hohenwald location also offers dual enrollment, allowing high school students to begin occupational training before graduation. Online programs that enable participants to earn certificates in areas including PC operation, web design application, basic programming and more are are also available. Tennessee Technology Center’s academic year is divided into trimesters, and students can take as many as 432 hours each term.
Students and teachers are taking a high-tech approach to education at Columbia Academy. In August 2011, the school began providing an Apple iPad to students in grades seven through 12 as part of a one-to-one iPad program. The academy is the first Tennessee school to implement this program. “The iPads have enabled the teachers and students to take the learning process in entirely new directions and have given them access to information from virtually everywhere,” says Eric Karkau, director of information technology at Columbia Academy. The program allows teachers to evaluate each student’s comprehension and understanding – not just those who volunteer to answer questions. Teachers can connect their iPads to projectors in their classrooms, allowing them to share more information. In addition to using iPads in the classroom, students are free to take them home for personal use, as long as they comply with Columbia Academy’s honor code and responsible-use policy. “At the end of the school year, students will turn the iPads in to the school, and they will be looked over and reconditioned as necessary, with the same ones returned to students at the start of the school year,” Karkau says. Students in kindergarten through sixth grade can also access iPads in their classrooms. The devices remain at school at the end of the day, but students will receive their own once the program spreads to the lower grades, says Columbia Academy president Dr. James Thomas. – Jessica Walker
Students use iPads at Columbia Academy.
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Livability
A Warm Welcome Maury County reaches out to relocating retirees, families
Story by Kevin Litwin
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communities through advertising campaigns in trade shows and other outlets. “Maury County has been showcased at prestigious Ideal Living Resort and Retirement Expos and in the national Travel 50 and Beyond magazine,” says Kara Huckaby, Director of the Maury County Chamber of Commerce. “Retire Tennessee trumpets
the positives of the 12 specific communities, including Maury County.” A Recreational Retreat Maury County is easy to rave about, Huckaby says. “We have four distinct seasons and beautiful scenery that includes majestic rolling hills,” she says. “There are many outdoor activities such as golf, fishing,
p h o t o s b y J e ff A d k i n s
nown for its charm, amenities and attractions, Maury County is welcoming retirees, families and others thinking about visiting or relocating. Designated a Retire Tennessee community, Maury has ramped up marketing efforts to attract retirees. Retire Tennessee is a state economic development initiative that markets 12 Tennessee
Left: Servers handle the lunchtime crowd at Mount Pleasant Grille. Right: Square Market & Cafe in downtown Columbia is a popular gathering place for Maury County residents and one of several independent restaurants in the area.
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Cytec Industries Inc. Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee
Zion Christian Academy Glorifying God through Academic Excellence Since 1979
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Maury County
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hunting, water activities and walking trails.” Maury County also has a strong health-care system, affordable housing and a good tax base. “Property taxes are low, plus Tennessee doesn’t have a state income tax,” Huckaby says. “Our county is also home to Columbia State Community College, which has a variety of continuing education courses available to people of all ages.” Dining and shopping are also available. Nice restaurants throughout the county include Amigo’s Mexican, Square Market & Cafe, Christy’s 6th Street, Mount Pleasant Grille and more, while shopping options include TJ Maxx, Belk, Super Target and Walmart Supercenter along with specialty stores such as Ye Peddler and Second Time Around. Old South Charm, Modern Progress The region exudes an Old South charm with New South progress, says Brenda Pierce, executive director of the Maury County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We have gorgeous, restored antebellum sites such as Rippavilla, the Athenaeum, Rattle and Snap, Oaklawn and Elm Springs, plus we are home to the only residence besides the White House that was occupied by U.S. President James K. Polk,” Pierce says. Maury County also has an array of cultural attractions and festivals, Pierce adds. “For visitors, a new Holiday Inn Express opened off Interstate 65 next to Hampton Inn, and our leisure and hospitality industry continues to grow, with about 200 new jobs added in 2011,” she says. “Meanwhile, Columbia and Mount Pleasant have revitalized their downtowns, and a housing boom continues in Spring Hill. Those choosing to move to or visit Maury County will really enjoy our sense of community and the many things we have to do.”
J e ffr e y S . OTTO
Spring Hill’s Rippavilla Plantation
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Maury County
economic profile Business climate
Workforce
Located 30 miles south of Nashville, Maury County is home to 80,956 people and encompasses the population centers of Columbia, Spring Hill and Mount Pleasant. The county has a diverse economic climate, with top industries that include manufacturing, health care, and business and professional services.
Maury County: 36,200 Labor market area: 102,000
largest employers Maury Regional Medical Center 2,100 employees Maury County Public Schools 1,609 employees General Motors of Spring Hill 1,300 employees TN Farm Bureau & Affiliates 700 employees
Resources
NHC Healthcare 293 employees
Interco Print LLC 150 employees Cytec Industries 130 employees
Maury County, 477 employees Wal-Mart, 400 employees
Source: www.mauryalliance.com
Kroger, 370 employees
Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development 312 Rosa Parks Ave., 11th Floor Nashville, TN 37243 (615) 741-1888 www.tennessee.gov/ecd
Lowe’s Home Improvement 130 employees Tennessee Aluminum 125 employees
City of Columbia, 385 employees
Maury County Chamber & Economic Alliance 106 W. 6th Street P.O. Box 1076 Columbia, TN 38402 (931) 388-2155 www.mauryalliance.com
The King’s Daughters’ School 173 employees
Transportation
First Farmers & Merchants Bank 290 employees
Highways: Interstate 65 and U.S. Highways 412, 43, and 31
Super Target, 285 employees Columbia State Community College 250 employees
Airport: Maury Regional Airport, www.maurywebpages.com/ airport.htm
TRG Customer Solutions 250 employees
Rail: CSX, Tennessee Southern Railroad
What’s Online
For more more in-depth in-depth demographic, demographic, statistical statistical and andcommunity communityinformation information For on Maury Maury County, County, go go to to businessclimate.com/maury-county businessclimate.com/maury-county and click on on andDemographics. click on Economic Profile. This section is sponsored by
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Through the Lens
Get the Story Behind the Photo Now that you’ve experienced Maury County through our photos, see it through the eyes of our photographers. Visit throughthelensjci.com to view our exclusive photographers’ blog documenting what all went in to capturing those perfect moments.
From Our Photo Blog: Maury County I was surprised to see what a difference a year has made at the Workforce Development at Northfield. Last year, while shooting photos for Business Visions of Maury County, the Spring Hill facility was just opening for the first time since the GM Saturn plant closed. A few courses were going on then in makeshift classrooms. But this time, it was full activity, with auto tech, machining, nursing, computer networking and EMT classes being taught by several colleges and companies. According to Northfield director Tom Brewer, the future looks bright for this former auto manufacturing facility. Posted by Jeff Adkins
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More Online
See more favorite photos and read the stories behind the shots at throughthelensjci.com.
Ad Index
44 Allstaff Services
C4 Ascend Federal Credit Union
4 Becky Thomas – Re/Max Elite
44 Ebonite’s Galaxy Lanes 1 First Farmers
23 General Motors
10 BMC Metalworks LLC
44 Haulers Insurance Company Inc.
C2 Bostelman Enterprises
10 Legal Shield – Tim Thomas
10 Maury County Public Schools
C3 Maury Regional Medical Center
6 City of Spring Hill, Tennessee 44 Columbia Academy 2 Columbia Hampton Inn
44 Columbia Machine Works
47 Redman-Davis Insurance
45 Columbia Power & Water Systems
10 Region-Wide Transit
6 Columbia State Community College 15 Community First Bank & Trust
44 CYTEC Industries Inc.
46 Duck River Electric Membership Corporation
4 Shred Etc.
44 Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation
36 Vanderbilt Medical Center Williamson
46 VIP Moving & Storage of Tennessee
44 Zion Christian Academy