The Austin Peay State University School of Nursing received a $10,000 Community Foundation Grant from AT&T on Wednesday, July 21. From left) Dr. Patty Orr, Dr. Tristan Denley, State Sen Tim Barnes, D-Adams, District 22; Dr. Chita Farrar; Lanie Johnson; APSU President Tim Hall; State Rep. Joe Pitts, D-Clarksville, District 67; Richard Jackson; and Dr. Sherryl Byrd. (Photo by Melony Shemberger, APSU Public Relations and Marketing)

Lanie Johnson, regional director of external affairs at AT&T, presented the grant during a reception held July 21 at APSU. Dr. Patty Orr, assistant professor of nursing and the Lenora C. Reuther Chair of Excellence at APSU, said the intervention program will assist nursing students to overcome barriers and complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing with the help of faculty mentors. This will help retain more students in the nursing program, which is extremely competitive.

“We have seen some of our students leave the nursing program because of the difficulties they face with trying to go to school and raising a family and other obstacles that they feel force them to quit,” she said. “The minute we recognize that they are having problems, such as a low score on a quiz, that’s when intervention will take place.”

Attending the presentation were Dr. Patty Orr, Assistant Professor of Nursing and the Lenora C. Reuther Chair of Excellence at APSU; Dr. Tristan Denley, Provost and Vice-President of academic affairs at APSU; State Sen Tim Barnes, D-Adams, District 22; Dr. Chita Farrar, Professor of Nursing at APSU; Lanie Johnson, Regional Director of External Affairs at AT&T; Tim Hall, APSU President; State Rep. Joe Pitts, D-Clarksville, District 67; Richard Jackson, Vice-President of Legal and Strategic affairs at APSU; and Dr. Sherryl Byrd, Vice-President of Student Affairs at APSU.

In addition to faculty mentoring, intervention techniques will include tutoring and remediation.

For more information, call the APSU School of Nursing, 931-221-7710.

NHK will spend nearly $54 million to construct the facility beginning in October 2010, and the facility is expected to employ up to 224 workers when all phases of production are implemented in 2015. “Tennessee continues to be a leading location for investment from the automotive industry,” said Governor Bredesen. “Our state’s longstanding trade and investment ties with Japan and this investment by NHK demonstrate a high level of confidence in our state’s business climate and the ability of Tennessee workers to compete globally in the areas of efficiency, productivity and quality.”

“We’re grateful to NHK for their investment in our state and their confidence in Tennessee workers,” said Commissioner Kisber. “ECD’s strong partnership with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and local elected officials was integral to making this project happen, and we look forward to working with Murfreesboro and Rutherford County in the future.”

NHK Seating of America is headquartered in Franklin, Indiana and has been in automotive parts production in the U.S. since 1987. Initial production at the Murfreesboro facility will be the manufacture of automotive seat frames, but company officials say they hope to expand the product line over time.

“I couldn’t be more pleased NHK has chosen to make this investment in Murfreesboro,” said Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg. “The company has a strong reputation for quality and reliability within the automotive industry, and they’ll be creating good quality jobs for our community.” “The success of this project is a testament to the strong working relationship between our Chamber, Destination Rutherford, Rutherford County, the city of Murfreesboro and the state of Tennessee,” said Norman Brown, chairman, Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. “I believe NHK will be a strong addition to our growing roster of corporate citizens. NHK’s announcement comes as planning is underway for the annual gathering of business leaders from Japan and the southeastern U.S. in Nashville for the 34^th annual SEUS-Japan Association conference October 16-19. Japan is Tennessee’s largest investor nation and the state’s 4^th largest trading partner. More than 160 Japanese companies operate in Tennessee, representing $13 billion in capital investment and 35,000 jobs. Japanese customers purchased more than $1 billion in Tennessee goods and services in 2009. The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to create higher skilled, better paying jobs for all Tennesseans. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tn.gov/ecd or www.investtennessee.org.

The conference will be held at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Nashville. The “In Harmony with Tradition and Innovation” theme will focus on clean energy technology as a catalyst of job creation, with an opportunity for high-level networking and showcasing the Tennessee culture. Attendees will gain a first-hand look at the historic Ryman Auditorium and the famed County Music Hall of Fame.

The Southeast U.S./Japan Association (SEUS-Japan) promotes trade, investment, understanding and friendship between Japan and eight member sates of the Southeastern United States: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Caroline, Tennessee and Virginia. Members are from both the private and public sectors. It’s Tokyo-based counterpart organization is the Japan-US Southeast Association, composed of Japan’s top business leaders and government officials.

To view the program, visit www.seusjapan2010.com.  To register as part of the Tennessee delegation, visit http://state.tn.us/ecd/BD_international_SEUS.html or call 615-663-6060.

Sherry Chris (far right, in white) congratulates the staff of Better Homes & Garden Real Estate Hometown Connection on their successful open house and new location. Photo by David W. Shelton

With the spirit of a neighborhood backyard barbecue, a dunking booth, and a fair amount of ice-cold bottled water, Better Homes & Garden Real Estate: Hometown Connection celebrated the opening of their new facility at 108 Centerpoint Drive. After outgrowing their previous location at Trenton Road and Wilma Rudolph Blvd. earlier this year, it became clear that with more than 70 agents, a larger office would be needed.

The open house also featured the company’s new mobile charcoal grill that’s geared for such large events. Several vendors were invited to participate, and all paid a nominal fee, which went directly to the Manna Café Ministry, a non-profit organization that works to feed the homeless. Manna offers food distribution to anyone who applies, plus a mean one night a week — Thursdays. An additional meal will be offered at separate location starting in August.

Joey Haley, Jr., who recently jointed the locally-owned Better Homes & Garden office, cited the innovative nature of the marketing model. “They are on the leading edge of real estate marketing,” he said. “Their network is unique in the way they reach out to customers.”Haley’s sentiment is not unique, however.

Maurice Vaughn, CEO of the local Hometown Connection franchise, echoed Chris’ remarks. “Better Homes & Garden is much more than ‘houses for sale,’” he said. “It’s a comprehensive brand strategy — a lifestyle brand.” The appeal to him for BH&G was not only the management of the company itself, but also in the wide appeal and brand recognition of the BH&G name. Vaughn also emphasized that the Real Estate market is a “relationship industry,” and built on service — which is emphasized at both the local and corporate level.

Sherry Chris, Better Homes & Garden Real Estate CEO (Submitted)

In fact, the marketing and outreach strategy of the company as a whole stems from the the leadership of CEO Sherry Chris, who was on hand for the franchise’s celebration today. “Once I got the invitation, I knew couldn’t miss it,” she said.

Such hands-on activity as an executive has helped guide the Real Estate brand of the popular Better Homes & Garden label from its infancy to a multinational corporation that spans 17 states and will soon open offices internationally. She also contributes to the “Clean Slate Blog,” a frequently-updated technology-related blog that’s straight from the company’s corporate center in Parsippany, New Jersey.

Chris’ goals for the company not only include clear growth plans, but a focus on outreach to recruiting younger Real Estate agents and tapping into the fast-growing technology sector for marketing. “The average age for Realtors is 50,” she said. “They’ll stay in the business for years. They don’t retire. They love it too much!” The company is actively looking to recruit younger “echo boomer” generation agents who fit within the demographic of 18-34 years of age. This is especially important since 1/3 of the nation’s population fits within this same demographic.

“It’s sometimes difficult for older agents to start out today,” Chris said. “The biggest issue that our many 50-plus agents find when they get into the business is that they must be tech-savvy.” In fact, the National Association of Realtors indicates that 90% of modern Real Estate customers begin their search online instead of with an agent.”

It’s a far cry from the days where the Realtor was the gatekeeper for specialized MLS listing information — which was not allowed to be given out — to the vast resources online that allow home buyers to search multiple databases, search engines, and listing systems. “Our role as Realtors has gone from being the ‘keeper of information’ to the ‘trusted advisers,’” Chris said. “In a time where we almost have too much information — I can even find the nearest Starbucks on my iPhone — we have to stay with technology.”

And stay with it, they do. In fact, BH&G recently launched a free iPhone app that allows home buyers to help organize their home search with location searches, photo filing, and ranking. “It’s already been downloaded more than 70,000 times,” Chris said. The corporate website is also very inclusive — providing a resource for various tips and services that all aide the homeowner long after they’ve settled into their new home.

Complete with a twitter account, Chris is the leading force for her company’s technological prowess. Her level of technological focus garnered her with an award on July 16th as the Inman Innovator of the Year, which cited the firm’s growth to more than 125 offices worldwide. On top of her own hands-on blogging, she also instituted social media boot camp classes for new agents. Not bad for a two-year-old company.

With the added benefit of the Better Homes & Garden brand, local agents and franchises are able to use that technology to market their services and homes using a database of 85 million magazine subscribers, including that of the popular Better Homes & Garden magazine, the flagship publication of Meredith Corporation, who also publish Parent, Family Circle, Home Journal, and Quilting magazines.

“If an agent wants to market to young families who might be looking for their first home, they can search for renters who read Parent magazine.” The agent, however, would not be privy to any private personal information — not even a name — and would just opt to send out the directed marketing to only those that fit the profile in their search query. Such a process is a much more consumer-driven and targeted marketing strategy than bulk postcard mailings.

Agents will continue to be relevant in the fast-changing Real Estate market, and Chris noted that they will offer what computer searches can not: first-hand knowledge of how the industry works, and most importantly, intimate knowledge of the community. “They’ll always be able to say why a certain neighborhood is popular, which schools are better, and why a property sold for a certain amount.”

Volkswagen AG Chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Governor Phil Bredesen, and ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber tour VW's Chattanooga facility on July 21.

Governor Phil Bredesen and ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber joined Volkswagen AG Chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn on a tour yesterday of Volkswagen’s $1 billion facility currently under construction in Chattanooga. The Tennessee tour marked Dr. Winterkorn’s first visit to the plant.  He was pleased with the construction progress and predicted the new midsize sedan would be a “great success” in the North American market.

Along with state and local officials, other members of Volkswagen’s Board of Management in attendance included Jochem Heizmann, Francisco Xavier García Sanz and Christian Klingler.  Rupert Stadler, chairman of the management board of Audi AG, also toured the Chattanooga facility.

A week ago Volkswagen marked the two-year anniversary of their announcement to produce a car designed specifically for the North American consumer in Chattanooga, investing $1 billion in the local economy.  In just a short time, the facility is more than 90 percent complete, more than 400 robots have been installed, and Volkswagen has spent over $686 million in local and Tennessee contracts.

Nearly 900 employees have been hired at the plant that will eventually staff more than 2,000. The as-yet-unnamed sedan will roll off the Chattanooga assembly lines in early 2011.

The grants will fund a variety of energy efficiency and conservation programs in the local communities, including the installation and replacement of valuable energy-saving parts for a water treatment plant and retrofits of the lighting, HVAC system, windows and insulation of multiple city buildings. The EECBG program is projected to produce more than 92 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy savings annually, resulting in an estimated cost-savings of $8 million per year for Tennessee communities. In addition, approximately 149 jobs will be created by the 146 grants awarded.

A brief description of the four additional communities’ projects  and more information on the EECBG program in Tennessee is available at the ECD website at http://tnecd.gov/recovery/eecbg.html. Applications were scored on the local government’s overall conservation strategy, project feasibility, readiness to proceed, community impact, partnerships and the ability to extend funding impact beyond a one-time use.

Henry County’s Allegro Fine Foods has been recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) for its food safety practices. The company was certified in two GFSI standards-Safe Quality Food (SQF) 2000 and the International Food Standard (IFS) Version 5.

These certifications ensure that the company’s food safety and quality management system complies with international and domestic food safety regulations. This enables suppliers to help assure their customers that food has been produced, processed, prepared, and handled according to the highest possible standards, at all levels of the supply chain.

In addition to these certifications, Allegro is also expanding its production and warehouse operations by 30,000 square feet and will add a third shift, creating additional jobs in Henry County.

Front row, CPD Chief Al Ansley presents Cumberland Bank and Trust President and CEO Ron Sleigh, and Vice President of Marketing Charlie Koon with their Crime Free Business certification. On the second step are District 2 Commander Rick Stalder and District 3 Commander Captain Craig Gipson.

Ron Sleigh, President/CEO said “Cumberland Bank & Trust is excited  to be a part of the Crime Free Business program and proud to be the first bank in Clarksville/Montgomery County to complete this program.  The Clarksville Police Department should be commended for their work with the Clarksville Community to promote safety in the work place.”

To receive the certification, the business had to meet the standards set by The International Crime Free Organization. Acquiring the certification entailed attending a two hour training program which gave the business the tools and techniques to set up a crime free business; development of written policies and procedures for the business to follow; developed ongoing training for employees, and successfully passing a crime free business inspection. CPD’s crime prevention officers worked and assisted the business owner every step of the way and helped him set up what could be considered a model program.

The Police Department has a series of Crime Free programs available which covers everything from businesses to personal residences. Crime cannot always be prevented, but, with citizens’ help techniques/tools/solutions can be put in place that can make it harder for the criminal element to conduct “their business.” Anyone interested in participating in one of the Crime Free Programs, contact one of Clarksville Police Department’s Crime Prevention Officers at 931-648-0656

The  public is welcome to visit, tour the new office, and participate in games and giveaways. Inflatables will be available to keep children occupied. Refreshments will be served.

August rates will show an increase an average of $1-2 on a typical residential bill. A 1.5% fuel cost increase brings the total increases since March of more than 20%.

Adding the 1.5 percent fuel cost in August boosts the total increases since March 1 to more than 20 percent.

TVA’s  power is drawn from  coal, oil and natural gas and when prices of these fuels increase. The utility supplies power to nearly 9 million consumers in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.

All proceeds will go towards funding the Mission Clarksville Program.  Please come out and purchase local, fresh, delicious, organic vegetables that are supporting a great cause!

Also, if you haven’t checked out our website lately, then you should read some of the blogs written by our youth.  We have posted about 30 blogs written by June and July D.I.R.T. Crews about their experiences this summer.  Just go to www.missionclarksville.org and click BLOGS in the top right hand corner.

In addition, if you want to learn more about our program, follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/missioncville or “Friend” us on Facebook : www.facebook.com/mission.clarksville .

ECD Commissioner Matt Kisber (left center) and Retire Tennessee program manager Ramay Winchester (center), along with representatives from the Retire Tennessee communities, accept a $15,000 grant from USDA Rural Development State Director Bobby Goode (right center).

NASHVILLE, TN: Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber today accepted a $15,000 business grant on behalf of the Retire Tennessee program from Bobby Goode, state director for the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development. The grant will be used to advertise and promote Tennessee nationally as an attractive location for retirees and to support continuing education opportunities for Retire Tennessee communities.

“Retiree recruitment is a key component of many communities’ economic development strategies,” said Commissioner Kisber.  “I am grateful that USDA Rural Development recognizes our efforts to attract this population, and I look forward to the enhancement and national exposure that Retire Tennessee will gain as a result of this grant.”

In addition to providing advertising and promotional materials for the program, the grant will allow those Retire Tennessee communities located in rural areas of the state to have representation at the American Association of Retirement Communities’ (AARC) annual conference. The conference provides education on utilizing retiree recruitment efforts as an overall part of a state’s economic development strategy.

“Retirees bring a lot to the communities where they settle. They buy homes, pay taxes and increase the demand for many goods and services, which in turn creates good jobs,” said Goode.  “Just as valuable, they also bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience, resources that money can’t buy.”

USDA Rural Development and Retire Tennessee both recognize the impact retiree immigration can have on a market. There is great potential for the growth of industries such as housing, entertainment, banking, health services and food services as this population continues to grow.

Tennessee is one of just four states that have a formal program of work to recruit this niche population. Nine of the 11 existing Retire Tennessee communities will receive funding from the grant. These communities are: Cumberland, Greene, Hardin, Henry, Jefferson, Lincoln, Loudon, Putnam and Robertson counties.

For more information on the Retire Tennessee program, please visit RetireTennessee.org, or contact Ramay Winchester at (731) 423-5771 or ramay.w.winchester@tn.gov.

Governor Phil Bredesen and Margaret Spellings, executive vice president of the National Chamber Foundation, at a business roundtable hosted by Nissan North America at the company's Franklin headquarters on Monday, July 19.

NASHVILLE, TN: A report commissioned by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Chamber Foundation today lauded Governor Phil Bredesen and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber’s efforts to develop a business climate conducive to the creation of new jobs in Tennessee. The report, entitled “Enterprising States: Creating Jobs, Economic Development and Prosperity in Challenging Times” was highlighted during a roundtable involving Tennessee business leaders, Governor Bredesen, Commissioner Kisber and Margaret Spellings, executive vice president of the National Chamber Foundation.

The report specifically calls out strategies initiated by Governor Bredesen, like the Jobs Cabinet, as a unique approach to reducing bureaucracy and red tape for companies investing in Tennessee and spotlighted the Volunteer State as a success story in job creation, pointing to a one year period in which the state announced four $1 billion dollar projects creating 3,000 new jobs.

“I believe a key part of Tennessee’s success is the state’s willingness to take partisanship out of the equation when it comes to job creation,” said Governor Bredesen. “We’ve worked closely with members of the General Assembly from both sides of the aisle to create a business-friendly economic climate in Tennessee and that approach has yielded results.”

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber at a business roundtable hosted by Nissan North America at the company's Franklin headquarters on Monday, July 19.

“Aligning the Department of Economic and Community Development and the Department of Revenue behind a single strategy to attract jobs and investment to Tennessee has been a big differentiator for our state,” said Commissioner Kisber. “Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr has been a strong ally of our efforts and companies understand the importance of certainty when it comes to tax treatment of their capital investments.”

The comments came during a business roundtable hosted by Nissan North America at the company’s headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee.

In addition, the National Chamber Foundation report praised Tennessee’s use of targeted tax credits and identified the TNInvestco program as an “innovative approach” to developing venture capital to help grow Tennessee businesses. “The beauty of the TNInvestco program is that it provides tools for local funds to raise capital,” said Mark Schill of the Praxis Strategy Group, the company which compiled the report. “It also allows those local funds to use their expertise to make investments in Tennessee companies and allows government to stay out of the way and lets the free enterprise system generate economic growth.”

The report suggests manufacturing will continue to play an important role in Tennessee’s economy. Because so many of Tennessee’s manufacturers are exporters, the study’s authors estimate manufacturing exports support a total of 550,000 jobs in Tennessee and account for $27.5 billion in earnings. The economic sectors showing the fastest growth rate between 2002 and 2009 include medical equipment and supplies, concrete products and motor vehicle electrical and electronic equipment.

A full copy of the report is available at the National Chamber Foundation’s web site at http://ncf.uschamber.com/enterprising-states/

Merriel Bullock Neal, Greg Rabidoux and Cindy Sueiro steady the ribbon for Geno Grubbs

Yet another Clarksville South Riverside Drive business tradition reasserts itself as a proud member of the business community. G’s Pancake House on South Riverside Drive marked its recovery from the devastating May flood with a ribbon cutting ceremony on its founder’s birthday, its namesake.  G. Sueiro, a retired Ft. Campbell soldier. Cindy Sueiro, his daughter and CEO, thanked the many guests who attended.  She acknowledged the tireless support of her work crew at the restaurant and the many contractors and city government officials who selflessly assisted and advised her in every step of the recovery effort.

Sueiro also acknowledged the contributions and support of Anthony Pritchard, manager, and her brother Tony Sueiro, who came up from Tallahassee, Florida to assist his sister in her efforts to preserve their father’s dream. Sueiro remarked on her father’s dedication to serving the Fort Campbell community and how that has been a part of G’s mission from day one. Lastly, she acknowledged the many well wishes and kind words given by customers who continued to stop by offering encouragement during the renovation effort.

Among the many public officials and candidates to attend the ribbon cutting were Phil Harpel, who presented a Certificate of Commendation on behalf of Montgomery County Mayor Carolyn Bowers, City Council member Geno Grubbs, County Sheriff Norman Lewis, CSM St. Louis from Fort Campbell, KY, Circuit Court Judge candidate Meriel Bullock Neal, city mayoral candidate Gabriel Segovia, Kaye Jones, School Board members Jimmie M.Garland Sr. and Horace Murphy and US District 8 Congressional candidate Greg Rabidoux. Ivan Roberts read a Certificate of Recognition from the State Legislature from Senator Tim Barnes and Rep. Joe Pitts.

Ribbon cutting done, the activity returned to the cool interior of the renovated restaurant where guests were busy with their free pancake breakfasts and other G’s menu favorites. Home baked cheesecakes were also available for the guests. Each guest was given a ticket stub for the door prizes and the drawings became the focus of attention as the day’s celebration progressed. Travel coffee mugs, a MP3 player, gift cards and a 32-inch Flat screen High definition TV were awarded.

Terry Strange, Gerald Nicely, Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper, Montgomery County Carolyn Bowers, Rep. Curtis Johnson, Rep. Joe Pitts,HSC Expansion Project Director Jim Russo

Clarksville’s newest industrial center, Hemlock Semiconductor, celebrated another benchmark in establishing its corporate imprint on the city. State and local officials  turned out to mark the facility’s access road completion.

Under a large white canopy, officials all levels of government and business, along with interested citizens, gathered to celebrate the completion of the new four-lane county road to the new Hemlock Semiconductor complex. The access road has been designated as Solar Way and will serve as the primary means by which HSC employees, contractors and all vehicular traffic will access the Hemlock facility.

Terry Strange, HSC Site Manager, launched the ceremony; Strange will take control of the  complex when construction and equipment installation is done. Strange noted that, “the solar array will lead the way for this area to become the leader of the solar industry in the United States.” Its economic growth is already impacting the community.  “Construction site workforce numbers have doubled to over 650 since March, when they were just 300. That number is expected to grow to over 1200 by year’s end. While program directors and managers will bring their own managerial teams with them, the majority of jobs created by this facility will be filled by local people here from your community,”  Strange told the gathered audience.

Observing the large numbers of cranes visible at the construction site, Strange noted that HSC is spending approximately one million dollars a month in building this new industrial center. That adds up to 10-12 million dollars a year just in construction costs. He credited TDOT with helping to make the project move  smoothly by its ability to complete the roadway project ahead of time. With that, he introduced TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely.

Gerald Nicely, TDOT Commissioner, addreses guests

TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely commented on the significance of the roadway project’s completion. “This project is part of our Industrial Development Program. Governor Bredesen has stressed the need for state agencies to be supportive and active in furthering economic development and business recruitment.” The 2-mile roadway was surveyed, designed and permitted in four months, followed by another twelve months of actual construction. The roadway was completed  six months ahead of time. Now that the roadway is complete, HSC employees, contractors and all vehicular traffic will utilize it to access the work site and continuing support facilities.

Among those gathered for the ribbon cutting, in addition to Commissioner Nicely and  Strange, were HSC Expansion Project Director Jim Russo, State Representatives Curtis Johnson and Joe Pitts, County Mayor Carolyn Bowers, Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper, Montgomery County Sheriff Norman Lewis, City Councilors Barbara Johnson, Marc Harris, Geno Grubbs, and Joel Wallace and Community Advisory Committee member Tommy Vallejos, Susan Menees, Elizabeth Black, and Donna Bright.

Jim Russo, HSC Expansion Director

Russo said that construction is on schedule to turn the project over to Strange. “We’re right where we want to be at this time.” That projection is based on the number of buildings under construction at acceptable levels of completion. “We’re within a week of schedule for the installation of equipment.

Strange, in commenting of pastoral setting of the complex location, noted that the Clarksville site is much like the parent location in Michigan, an industrial dynamo nestled among farmland and wooded pastures. This insures non-intrusion on residential neighbors and minimal risk of negative industrial impact on the community.

Photos by David W. Shelton

Friendly serving staff awaits guests

Another downtown eatery has rejoined the Clarksville business community mix. High flood waters made a mess of the long established fish and seafood hotspot, but determination and dedication has brought the business back in better shape than before, ready to again surprise and delight their dining public.

Captain D’s Seafood Kitchen at Kraft Street is once again open for business. New everything awaits returning and new friends. ‘Kitchen Fresh!’ is their new slogan and it shows in every aspect of the business operation. The dining area is filled with new seating and tables, the kitchen area is also awash in new equipment and storage facilities. Wallboard, paint and counters, right down to napkins and malt vinegar; it’s all fresh for  dining guests.

Alaskan Salmon dinner with roasted red potatoes

A friendly greeting welcomes each guest entering the eatery. A bright menu board offers tempting options and a smiling, courteous server staff make placing orders a breeze. Comfortable seating in a open, cool dining area makes dining a pleasure. Meals are prepared to specifications in the kitchen area where stainless steel counters and weight scales insure all is done to exacting perfection.

Chicken strips, fried okra and french fires

Trained prep crews and cooking staff move about creating each meal order with attention to detail and specification. Their goal is produce a perfect presentation that will delight visual senses and satisfy demanding tastebuds. Salmon, catfish, shrimp, clams, even chicken strips are offered with such sides as steamed broccoli, corn on the cob, green beans, tossed  salads, fried okra, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw and roasted red potatoes.

Seafood lovers will be pleased to have an old friend back in their midst.

Breakfast is back at G's! Photo by Terry McMoore

G’s Pancake House Restaurant will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, July 16,  at 2 p.m. to mark the grand re-opening of its 803 South Riverside Drive location, which has been  renovated  from floor to ceiling following severe flooding in May.

The restaurant was completely ruined when overtaken by  the great flood that hit Clarksville Montgomery County and much of the Riverside Drive Business District in May. Apart from more than four feet of standing water inside the popular eatery, the owners had to tie their outside walk-in freezer to the building to keep it from floating away.

The new interior of G's

Just over two months later, the ceilings have been refinished, the walls rebuilt, and new equipment and furnishings have been installed; while it looks like an entirely new restaurant inside, the menu and the coffee hasn’t changed. Longtime patrons are already pouring for those breakfast and lunch buffets and other popular fare on the G’s menu.

G’s Pancake House has served the Clarksville and Fort Campbell communities with delicious food and their signature pancakes and coffee for almost half a century since founder, Gene Sueiro, a Vietnam veteran with the 101st Airborne, first opened its doors.

Many a newcomer to this military town has made G’s Pancake House their first dining experience because of its contributions and support toward the community and the Fort Campbell military base.

The public is welcome to join the community, elected officials and the entire G’s Pancake House Family at this grand re-opening event. There will be plenty of gifts, prizes and free pancakes and coffee all day long.

Photos by David W. Shelton (except breakfast photo)

Hemlock Semiconductor Group and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will dedicate and open a new four-lane road, Solar Way, leading to the Hemlock Semiconductor site in northeast Montgomery County. The road represents a critical infrastructure improvement for the $1.2 billion facility, which is scheduled to open in 2012. The facility will manufacture polysilicon, which is a base material for solar panels.

Hemlock Semiconductor’s site off of Jim Johnson Road in Clarksville, Tennessee.

The ribbon-cutting will be held July 15 at 10 a.m. Hemlock Semiconductor’s site off of Jim Johnson Road in Clarksville, Tennessee. Participating in the event are Terry Strange, Site Manager, Hemlock Semiconductor, L.L.C.; Jim Russo, Construction Project Director, Hemlock Semiconductor, L.L.C; and Gerald Nicely, Commissioner, TDOT

Hemlock Semiconductor will also release a construction update, detailing the number of construction workers on-site.

The Hemlock Semiconductor Group (hscpoly.com) – Hemlock Semiconductor – is comprised of two joint ventures: Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation and Hemlock Semiconductor, L.L.C. The companies are joint ventures of Dow Corning Corporation, Shin-Etsu Handotai and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation. Hemlock Semiconductor is a leading provider of polycrystalline silicon and other silicon-based products used in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices and solar cells and modules. Hemlock Semiconductor began its Michigan operations in 1961 and broke ground at its Tennessee location in 2009.

HSC and HEMLOCK SEMICONDUCTOR are trademarks of Dow Corning Corporation.

Bright red "S" handles welcome guests to the renovated Shoney's.

Shoney’s will celebrate the grand reopening of its restaurant at 791 North Second Street in Clarksville on Thursday, July 15, by donating 20 percent of the restaurant’s earnings to the United Way of Greater Clarksville to benefit flood relief efforts. Grand-reopening specials will be offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting will be held at 11:30 a.m.

Additional events and activities will be held during the dinner hours.

The Clarksville restaurant was damaged and forced to close temporarily due to the flooding in early May. Shoney’s decided to remodel the restaurant to match its new prototype. (See related story) The restaurant will feature new exterior entrance elements, new interior furniture packages, warm, appealing colors throughout, stained wood trim and a re-designed buffet bar.

Another Shoney’s restaurant at 7745 Highway 70 South in Bellevue also sustained extensive damage during the flood. The Bellevue restaurant celebrated its reopening last week.

Tennessee has once again ranked among the best in economic development by Area Development, a leading executive magazine covering corporate site selection and facility planning. The Volunteer State was named the winner of the magazine’s Silver Shovel Award, presented annually to states who have demonstrated much success and progress with job creation and economic impact.

“It is an honor to again be recognized by Area Development magazine for our state’s success in economic development and creating high-skilled, better-paying jobs for Tennesseans,” said Governor Phil Bredesen.

Area Development’s Annual Shovel Awards recognize state economic development agencies that drive significant job creation through innovative policies, infrastructure improvements, processes and promotions that attract new employers as well as investments in expanded facilities. Only economic development projects announced in 2009 were considered for the award. Tennessee, along with Georgia and Indiana, was winner of the Silver Shovel Award for states with a population of 5 – 10 million.

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber said, “2009 was a great year for the State of Tennessee and for our department. Under Governor Bredesen’s leadership we have welcomed many new companies to the state and helped existing businesses expand, both of which mean a brighter future for our residents.”

The magazine’s annual Gold and Silver Shovel Awards recognize state economic development agencies that drive significant job creation through innovative policies, infrastructure improvements, processes and promotions that attract new employers and investments in new and expanded facilities.

“In these trying economic times, economic development agencies are working harder than ever to grow their states’ businesses,” said Geraldine Gambale, Editor of Area Development. “Every year there are a few standouts, and these states deserve special recognition for their efforts.”

Complete details on the Gold and Silver Shovel Award winners will be published in the June/July 2010 issue of Area Development and is posted online at http://www.areadevelopment.com/awards.

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced today it will open the second annual, ‘What Makes You an Entrepreneur’ video competition to entries. Interested parties may apply online at the Tennessee Open for Business website: http://tnopenforbusiness.org

“Last year, Tennessee made its mark as one of the top participating states for Global Entrepreneurship Week,” said Matt Kisber, commissioner, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. “With the second installment of the entrepreneurship video competition, we hope to continue our custom of recognizing entrepreneurs, who are the backbone of our state’s economy.”

The ‘What Makes You an Entrepreneur?’ video competition is a component of the state’s Global Entrepreneurship Week celebration. Global Entrepreneurship Week 2010 will be held November 15 – 21 and is a worldwide event intended to inspire, connect, mentor and engage young people with the desire to change the world.

Entries will be accepted through Oct. 31. Finalists will be selected from five business categories: Main Street/downtown; home-based; agri-business; arts and entertainment; and innovation. Videos should be no longer than five minutes, and the overall state winner will be announced during Global Entrepreneurship Week. Complete contest details can be found at the official website: http://tnopenforbusiness.org/.

The overall statewide contest winner will receive a $500 cash prize and a marketing package valued at approximately $2,000. Other category winners will receive statewide recognition and an award presented during Global Entrepreneurship Week. A list of last year’s winners can be seen here: http://tnopenforbusiness.org/winners.html.

Information on Tennessee’s involvement in Global Entrepreneurship Week will be posted on http://www.tnecd.gov/gew as it is available.

Joan Osborne

The Farmer’s Market at the L&N Train Depot may be small, but it has a loyal following … and the added benefit of being open three days a week: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Joann Osborne takes her place at the Depot market three times a week, displaying an array of fresh baked breads, cinnamon/raisin buns, and cookies.

The recipes are a gift from God, Osborne said.  “I’d never baked them before, but the recipe just came to me in a dream.” She has been baking ever since. While dozens of people have asked her for her secret, she refuses to divulge the mix that underlies the incredible cinnamon and spice aroma at her table. “I do all the baking myself.”

Small summer squash are perfect for slicing in stir-fry recipes.

Courtney and Will Kroupa travel from Stewart County to Clarksville with an array of squash and other produce, and homemade pickles (bread & butter and kosher dill).

“We have more [produce] than we know what to do with,” Will Kroupa said, adding that canning and processing the overflow is just one way of dealing with the excess.

Courtney Kroupa also creates fine pottery, but markets regulations do not allow non-food items to be sold at the Depot location.

The Kroupa’s participate in the Saturday Downtown Market which is opens to craftspeople as well as food vendors.

Naomi Williams and her granddaughter, Alexis, prep green beans for their own use later today.

Naomi Williams sits at another table, cutting green beans with her granddaughter Alexis, who is visiting from Atlanta. While she has plenty of beans for sales, the ones she is cutting are destined for her own table.

Harold Deutchsmann's Blackberries

Harold Deutschmann sits behind a small card table displaying a single tray of oversized blackberries. Beneath the table, packaged in a cooler, are quart-sized bags of berries that beg to be added to breakfast cereal or a scumptious cobbler.

The largest selection of goods was offered by Deanna Hayward, who had everything from vine-ripened tomatoes to zucchini and squash, from cucumbers to sweet and silver queen corn, a variety of melons, and more. Boxes, trays and peach baskets were overflowing with the summer’s bounty.

One vendor who  brings fresh blueberries to the market had already sold out and left for the day.

The Farmer’s  Market at the L&N Train Depot is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 6:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Depot is located at 10th and Commerce Street.

Photos by Turner McCullough Jr.